Of a Colonel.
IT concerneth every Colonel to take care that his Companies be full and com∣pleat (if it may be) that they be well provided of Arms, and to take cognizance what Exercises are continually performed by them, communicating Orders, and commanding all Officers of his Regiment what is to be performed by each Com∣pany respectively, whensoever they shall happen to be upon their March.
In the Head of his Regiment is his most honourable and proper place, and there he ought to be most frequent. He is to be subservient to the Lord General, Lord Martial, and Serjeant-Major-General of the Field, to whom he is to pay like re∣spect and observance as he himself expecteth, (and that justly) from all inferiors to him. For from those his superior Officers, by him are received in charge all such Orders as refer to the place of Alarms, Marchings, Imbattellings, Guards, or Convoys. Furthermore, it is requisite that every Colonel should acquaint himself at least once every week, how and in what manner the Souldiers of his Regiment have deported themselves in their several Quarters, by a due and strict examina∣tion of the qualities of all such offences as have occurred, and been committed by the several and Distinct Souldiers under his command, hereby preparing every several misdemeanor for a readier hearing before a Council of War, or Court-Martial; and this is easily effected by convening the Captains, or other Officers under them, at such convenient times as may suit with his occasions; every Co∣lonel being bound to make his appearance at each Council of War, as Assistant to the Lord Martial, and President of the said Council, for the hearing and deter∣mining of all such propositions and matters in question relating to the Army.
In all matters of Advice and Counsel, but more especially when any Stratagem, Siege, or intended Battail is in agitation to be put in action, the Colonel ever as one of the primary Field-Officers is summoned to consult with the General, and with all freedom to deliver his opinion in all things that shall be there discussed, for the best advantage (as he shall conceive) for the designs in hand, how weighty and important soever, and to be ready to go upon any such service as shall be cast into his charge to be executed by the major part of the said Council, and to express his obedience to his General, although it be a service that correspond not with his own opinion at the first, but being cleared by the larger number to be more conducing to the good of the Design, couragiously to undertake it, and faithfully to perform it.
In the quartering of his own Regiment, which is always ordered for Quarter in two grand Divisions, regard is to be had that his own Lodgings be ever taken up in the most equal place between his grand Divisions, that so he may with more facility and celerity dispense and import his commands to either Party.