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 twenty-third Observation.

HERE then we see, [ V] that it is the dutie of all wise Generals, of intention to beleaguer Citie, Fort, or Strength, first to recognosce, and having once recognosced, then to proceed, as they finde most advantagious for the Beleaguerer, and disadvantagious for the assailed: the pursuer must know, what number of men are requisite for the pursute, as well offensive as defensive.

In this point of recognoscing his Majesties judgement was wonderfull, as in all other practicall duties fitting a great Commander, and as his Majesties judgement was great and good, so he was of that minde, nothing in this kinde could be well done, which he did not himselfe, neither could his Majestie a∣bide, at such times, as he went to recognosce, any other to accompany him in the danger, other reasons doubtlesse His Majestie had, which were onely privie unto himselfe. This point how necessarie it is, for a great Comman∣der to be judicious of no Souldier will doubt.

Here also we see, His Majestie made no difference of season, or weather, in prosecuting his enemie, when ever he found any advantage. And there∣fore it was His Majesties wise resolution, to crosse the Rhine, while Generall Tillies Armie, in the Winter time, was farthest from him, and making but a faint here before Oppenham, his ayme and designe was to crosse the Rhine at an other part by shipping, that while the enemie was busied in defence of the Skonce, His Majestie might crosse at an other part: for the Armie once cros∣sed, the Skonce was lost, for want of supplie; and His Majestie once over, the whole Paltz and Mentz were in feare.

Nothing is more powerfull to resist resolution, [ W] than resolution: for it is

said of the Oake, being hard timber, for to cleave it a sunder, there must be wedges made of it selfe, that hardnesse may overcome hardnesse. My advise then to all brave fellowes watching in trenches, or guarding Cannon, while as the enemie would try their valour by out-falling, in assailing them, at such times, let the defender doe as was done here, leaving the use of the Musket, as being more unreadie, let them make use of their pikes, meeting their ene∣mies in the teeth, with a strong firme bodie of Pikes, (after the old Scots fashi∣on, used by our Predecessours, that fought pell mell; with two-hand swordes, till one of the parties did quit the field) for though they suffer losse, sure they must winne credit, that repulse their enemie, rather than disgracefully suffer their Cannon to be nayled, or their braines knockt out in trenches, while as they take them to the uncertaintie of the musket. Therefore let resolution be ever present, repulsing force with force; for if thou wouldest be esteemed amongst the number of brave fellowes, thou must resolve to shew thy selfe resolute, couragious, and valiant, going before others in good example, choo∣sing rather to dye with credit standing, serving the publique, than ignomini∣ously to live in shame, disgracing both thy selfe and Countrie. Who would not then at such times choose vertue before vice; glorie, honour, and im∣mortall fame, before an ignominious, shamefull, and detestable life? [ X] Let then my deere Camerades of the Brittish Nation, where ever they serve, em∣brace this my exhortation, and lay it up in the secret corners of their heart and minde, that they may be ever mindefull of their credits, preferring credit to life, for the honour of the invincible Nation, doing ever, as was done here by their Countrie men, in one night thrice, at three severall partes, whereof twice in sight of their King and Master.

His Majestie crossing the Rhine, did take with him the Scots, which were there, of Sir Iames Ramseys Regiment, of old Spense his Regiment, and of My Lord Rhees; being landed, the Spanish horsemen having furiously charged, the Scots, with a little advantage of a hedge, stood by His Majestie against the Spanish horsemen, and with a strong body of pikes, and salves of musket, resisted valiantly the horsemen, till the rest were landed, to relieve them. As also the next day, the Musketieres of Ramseys Regiment, that on all occa∣sions were wont to shew their valour, were the first stormed the walles, at Oppenham; as they were the first, with their Camerades, that accompanied His Majestie, at his landing in the Paltz, testifying how willing they were to oppose danger, in sight of their King and Master, revenging themselves on the Spaniard (a cruell enemy to the Daughter of our King, and Sister to our Dread Soveraigne, the Queene of Bohemia) whom before they had re∣moved, by force of Armes, from the sweete land of the Paltz, where at this time, they were fighting, [ Y] to invest againe His Majestie of Behemia her Hus∣band, and his Royall issue, being under the Conduct of the Lyon of the North, the invincible King of Sweden, their Leader; who was carelesse (as he said himselfe that night) to incurre the feude, or the enmity and anger, both of the House of Austria, and King of Spaine, to doe service to his Deere Sister, the Queene of Bohemia. Who would not then, my deere Camerades, Companions, not of want, but of valour and courage, at such a time, being the time we all of us longed to see, who would not (I say) presse to discharge the dutie of valourous Souldiers and Captaines, in sight of their Master and King, having crossed the Rhine, fighting for the Queene of Souldiers, being led by the King of Captaines, and Captaine of Kings; who would not then,

as true valourous Scots, with heart and hand sustaine the Fight, discharging at once the dutie of Souldiers, and valourous Captaines, by that meanes so farre as in them lay, restoring the Paltz, contemning death, striving to get victory over their enemies, and freedome of Conscience to their distressed brethren long kept in bondage, and under tyranny of their enemies, the space of ten yeares, till the coming of this magnanimous King, and great Cap∣taine; who in six moneths time after, did free the Paltz of all Spanish Forces, setting them at libertie; having brought the Keyes of all Goales with him, and opened the doores, not onely of all prisons, but also of all houses and Churches in the Paltz, that had beene closed ten yeares before, through the banishment of the owners, bringing them backe to their houses againe, and having removed the Idolatrous worship of Papists out of their Churches, suffered them againe to serve God peaceably in their former true, undoubted and onely pure profession of the Faith of Christs Gospell.