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CHAP. III. The Reasons follow for the placing of the Captains, their Colours, and their Lieutenants, after the manner before set down.
WHat hath formerly been declared concerning a Rank or File, six abrest, or six deep, may be satisfactory in some kind unto this point, which takes his rule from hence. For all private Companies, smaller Bodies, or single Files, must, or ought to be as neer as they can conformable to greater Bodies, as to Re∣giments, and consequently they to Brigades. Therefore take notice that this rule ought ever to be observed in the drawing of Regiments, that the right Flank, as neer as may be, ought to be suitable with the left, both in strength, number, and dignity; and likewise to be so when they are drawn forth upon a long march, the Front equal with the Reer. Now, suppose these two grand divisi∣ons stood even abrest; we will begin to examine the first worth, which is the Colo∣nels; and the fourth worth, which is the eldest Captains, and placed upon the right and left of the first grand division, with the second and third worth, who are the Lieutenant-Colonel and Major, drawn up upon the right and left of the second grand division; and you shall finde they are every way equivalent in number, worth and dignity, with that of the first.
In the next place, there are no more to place, but the fifth and sixth worth, who are the second and third Captains: and therefore since it is the first place of ho∣nour among the Captains in a Regiment, to lead the first Body or Stand of Pikes; it must then consequently follow, that the second place of honour must be to lead the second grand division of Pikes; and therefore the fifth worth is brought into and placed between the second and third, that he may stand there to lead the second Body of Pikes; wherein the Lieutenant-Colonel, the Major, and his own Colours are placed: so that there remains no more but the sixth worth, or youngest Captain to place, who is to be drawn up between the Colonel and eldest Captain. Now if we shall further proceed to ballance it more cleerly, consider them by dividing them by two's in their places; as first, we will begin with the Colonel, the first worth, who hath joyned to him the youngest Captain, which is the sixth worth, and they two make the number (7); then compare the Lieutenant-Colonel, who is the second worth, unto the second Captain joyn'd with him, which is the fifth worth, and they make alike the same number; after that compare the Major and elder Captain, who are drawn up into the midst of the Regiment, whose places carry the third and fourth worth, and their number is suitable with the rest. And thus much may be spoken in general: now I shall come more particularly to give further satisfaction, both for them, and for all the rest; and therefore I will give reasons for the placing of the Officers of the first grand division; and cleering that, the second will quickly be laid open to the view.