The Scotch military discipline learned from the valiant Swede, and collected for the use of all worthy commanders favouring the laudable profession of armes: By Major Generall Monro, being novv generall of all the Scotch forces against the rebels in Ireland, communicates his abridgement of exercise, in divers practicall observations for the younger officers better instruction; ending with the souldiers meditations going on in service.

The eighth Observation.

HIS Majesty going to rancounter his enemy, before his rising from his Royall Leager at Swede, did wisely dispose of his Army, in making it into Briggads, that coming unto the action, he should not neede to thinke on the Theorie, when it were time to practise, as many young Commanders are forced to doe, beginning to learne of others, that which is defective in themselves, who are to be pittied, that undertake to leade others being ignorant themselves: but this wise Generall, at this time, did not only order his Army, [ &.] as he would have them to stand in Battaile, but also knowing the gifts, and severall parts, his chiefe Offi∣cers of the field were indued with, he disposeth of them, in appointing such places for them, in fighting against their enemies, as did best befit their vertues, which all he knew before hand, partly by his owne experi∣ence, and partly, by enquiring of others, their qualities and vertues.

Secundo, his Majesty doth forecast with himselfe, what the enemy, being strong might intend against him, and accordingly, he fore-saw wisely how to prevent him, in dividing his Army, by sending the Felt-marshall on the one side of the Oder with a part of his Army, going himselfe on the other, leaving the bridge and passage at Swede well fortified and beset with Souldi∣ers, to the end, that which of both Armies might be constrained to retire o∣ver the bridge, being safe might then conveniently joyne with the other.

As his Majesty was wise in fore-seeing what might happen, he was also diligent, in taking time of his enemies on the sudden, before they could come together; so that after this victory obtained, his Majesty did not on∣ly get elbow roome by the enemies removing over the Elve and the Oder; but also he did gaine time to settle his affaires with the Princes; for those who would not before this victory, scarce keepe correspondence with his Majesty, afterwards his Majesty having freed their country from their ene∣mies, they were then content to intreate for his friendship, by their Ambassa∣dours, and he like to a cunning gamster, taking the Ball at the right re∣bound, embraced their friendship, and confederacy, having bound them

up, in a more strict manner then before, till in th'end, they were forced to dance after his pipe.

Here likewise I did observe, that it is never good, to trust too much unto our owne strength, [ A] as our enemies did, who at their banqueting, and inter po∣cula, before that the storme went on, though hearing the noyse of our Can∣non, they fell a laughing, as wondring what the Swedens meant, thought they to fly over the walles, and granting he could enter, were they not so strong as he? Many more idle discourses they had, extolling themselves in their pride, boasting of their strength and courage, not setting God before them, they disdained and contemned their enemies, but suddenly in an in∣stant they found their owne follies, being brought unto feare and astonish∣ment, so that at last, their wits confounded, and consequently their acti∣ons confused, and their enemies, though weake instruments, by the power of the God of Armies were made strong and couragious, for punishing them in repaying of their former Barbarity, and cruelty used by them at new Bran∣denburg, where we see, the lord repayeth their wickednesse, when they least expected.

Tiffenbacke, the Felt-marshall was much to blame for his command, being so strong within the Towne as we were without, that he did not adventure to fight us in the fields, or at least, to have tried our conduct and valour, with a strong party: his not daring to adventure with us made us the more couragious and resolute to seeke him, though with disadvantage, having once found him to be a timorous enemy, keeping himselfe close within walles, for we know well, the greater his strength was within, if once we entred, his confusion would be the greater: for a multitude within a strength espe∣cially horsemen, many servants and baggage breede ever confusion, for avoiding whereof, the Governour had the more reason to have tried us in the fields; whereby he had encouraged his Garrison, who seeing he durst adven∣ture to meete us without, being retired, they would not be afraid within walles.

So it is never good to resolve to be alwayes the defender, but rather ac∣cording to the time, [ B] and circumstances, sometimes to try Fortune, as well by pursuing, as by defending, that our credit may not be called in question, neither for too much slownesse, nor for too much forwardnesse, but still to presse for the Medioerity, being the true vertue of Fortitude, without which no Souldier can attaine commendation, if he doe participate of either ex∣treames, as this Felt-marshall did, staying within walles. Yet some, I know will object, that I ought rather to praise the actions of the enemy, to make ours the more glorious, to which I answer, ours at all times, as here, were so splendid, that no Lustre could be added unto them, our Leader Gu∣stavus being Illustrissimus himselfe, and the favourite of Fortune, to whom all things succeeded fortunatly by taking of time, the most pretious of all things, especially in warres, which sometimes helpes as much as vertue it selfe.

The forwardnesse and courage of Major Iohn Sinclaire, and of his Col∣league, Lievetenant Heatlie, is not to be over-past, they being the first gave good example to enter this Towne, in going over the walles with ladders, with a weake party of fifty musketiers, that ventured to follow them, which were hardly received by the enemies horsemen, neverthelesse they valo∣rously defended themselves, and made their enemies to retire with losse, so

that, as my intention here, is not to over-praise my friends vertue, I would not on the other part be filent in giving them their due, answerable to their merits, and no more.

We see also by experience dayly, that at all times, as here, no man e∣ver served God for nought, who rewardeth men, though not through me∣rit in respect of his God-head, of whom we can merit nothing, yet of his in∣finit bounty is ever ready to reward them truely that doe serve him: his Ma∣jesty with his Army having served God in the morning, at night he was made victorious over his enemies.

And that his Majesty in the afternoone on the Sabboth pursued his ene∣mies, there was a necessity in it: [ C] Generall Tillies Army being on their march for the reliefe of the Towne, his Majesty was forced to take the opportu∣nity of time, which once being past doth never returne.

Here we may see the evill, that seare bringeth within a City or Strength causing disorder and confusion, but if all those within this Towne had stood to their defence, as Lievetenant Colonell Butler did and the Irish, Francford had not bin taken.

Therefore, when resistance is not made, as it ought to be, the victory is easily attained: for nothing encourageth more, then good example, Et contra. And I did observe here, that no nation esteemed good Souldiers, are inferiour to the Dutch in maintaining a storme, or in extremity of dan∣ger, they being otherwise good Souldiers for obedience to command, in watches, marches, working about workes, and in doing all other dueties befitting their profession, being in company of others.

Pike-men being resolute men, shall be ever my choyce in going on exe∣cution, as also in retiring honourably with disadvantage from an enemy, especially against horsemen: and we see oftimes, as we found here, that when musketiers doe disbandon, of greedinesse to make booty, the worthy pike-men remaine standing firme with their Officers, guarding them and their Colours, as being worthy the glorious name of brave Souldiers, pre∣ferring vertue before the love of gold, that vanisheth while vertue re∣maineth.

This vice of avarice is alike common to the superiour Officer, [ D] and to the inferiour Souldier, which oftimes makes the superiour to be despised as well by the common Souldier, as by his betters: And therefore publique imployments of command should never be given to such greedy persons; for as sparing in a private person is commendable, being done without hurt to another; even so the vertue of liberality is due to him that is publiquely imployed: as also he ought to have splendor in his carriage, and not to give evill example to others his inferiours, if once he be honoured with command in leading of others. I must then againe condemne this kinde of avarice, that makes men for booty abandon their Colours and their duety, they being the cause of times of the overthrow of their worthy Camerades standing to fight, when they were employed in making of booty, for which many time, they are contemned, and their money taken from them by the multitude, with disgrace and danger of their lives: for though sometimes they make booty, they have not the fortune to enjoy it one quarter of an houre, thanking God to be rid of it with their lives, though not with their credits.

It is the duety of valiant Commanders, and of brave Souldiers, when

ever fire entreth into a City, strength or Leager, suddenly with their Armes to repaire to their Colours, lest at such times, the enemy being neere hand should be ready to take advantage: but here the baser sort of Souldiers, neither for obedience to his Majesties command, nor for love of their Officers, nor of their owne credits, would stirre to attend their Colours, though the enemy had shewed himselfe to pursue the City.

Here also, the enemy was to blame, for leaving provision and Amuni∣tion behinde them, whose duety it was rather to destroy it by fire or water, then to leave it to their enemies. But we see, there is no counsell against the Lord invented by man, able to worke, blessed be his name for ever.