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 thirty-one Observation.

WISE Generalls must resolve in time to rule their affaires ac∣cording to the occurrences happening in the course of warres; for the Duke of Bavier finding himselfe, after Tillies death and his losse sustained at Rhine on the Leacke, not bastant to rancounter his Ma∣jesties Army in the fields, he very wisely resolved to make a defensive warre, betaking himselfe with his Army within his Strengths and Passes, col∣lecting his Forces together at those two places of Engolstat and Rhinsberg, which his Majesty perceiving, thought againe, it was not time for him to enter in beleaguering of such strengths being so strongly beset, and so well provided, especially seeing his enemies were drawing strong to the fields from all parts.

The Spaniard forcing his troopes on the Rhine within the Palatinat, [ I] Ge∣nerall Major Ossa coming behinde him with an Army in Schwabland, the Duke of Bavier lying strong with his Army betwixt him and Nurenburg, on the passes of Engolstat and Rhinsberg, Walestine also drawing neere to the Duke of Saxon, with a strong Army to fall into his country, betwixt his Majesty and home; and Papenhaim then dominiering in the nether Saxon Creit∣ches: in consideration whereof, his Majesty very wisely resolved to hang the little Townes, Cloisters and Abbacies belonging to the Papists in Bava∣ria by the Purse: taking of them on the sudden all the monies they were able to give him, and pledges for the rest, promising unto them, unlesse they would duely pay their promised contribution unto his Commissaries, the next time he would burne their Dorpes and houses, and put all to the sword; whereas then he had used clemency, in hope they would give the like obedience unto him as unto the Duke their Master. For his Majesty did see, the enemy forced him by a diversion; And therefore he used his time

while he was in Bavaria; that they might not forget he had bin there: but rather tooke tokens with him; as men, mony, Armes, rare monuments of antiquity, and rich Iewells, and which was worse (wherein his Majesty had neither hand nor direction) many of their houses, Dorpes and Castles were burnt to the ground by evill and wicked instruments, that repaied burning with burning, using the Papists at home, as they used Protestants abroade, being neere the Baltique coast, they never dreamed that the Protestants would come so farre up as to repay them under the foote of the Alpes. And had Gustavus lived, we had gone neere to warme them within Rome, for their by∣past cruelties, where we see, that God the righteous judge punisheth sinne with sinne, and man by his owne iniquity.

His Majesty leaving no Garrison in Bavaria, to keepe the country the better in awe and obedience, he tooke Hostages and pledges of speciall men from them along with him, to make them the readier to pay the summes they had promised; As also their contribution: and to make them the loa∣ther to rise againe in Armes against his Majesties Garrisons, which lay ad∣jacent unto them.

The Duke of Baviers forces being retired within their strengths & passes, finding themselves not Bastant to offend his Majesties Army, they fall out on the other side of the Danube, towards the upper Paltz, making their in∣cursions there, and take in Wisenburg, where they used both Burgers and Souldiers more unhumanly, then became Christians to doe.

In like manner we see here the diligence and celerity used by his Majesty, according to the occasions that happened, in going so suddenly towards Ossa, and in returning againe at the Poast, with a convoy of Dragoniers towards Munchen, to breake up with his Army, having left Duke Barnard of Wy∣mar with Generall Major Ruthven to attend on Ossa his Army, on the bor∣ders of Tyroll, towards Landaw and the Boden sea, till businesse were pacified.

Here then we see, that his Majesties diligence and experience in warlike actions was so great, that his enemies never plotted that enterprize, [ K] but how soone it came once to his knowledge, he presently with celerity and quicknesse of judgment could finde out the contrary remedy, ever to make himselfe appeare in effect the most fortunate Commander that ever we read of. For his great experience in warlike actions did confirme his judgment and his courage; for he was not affraid to doe what he did learne and practise before; and like a wise Generall, he did ever watch against all unlooked for stroakes: for nothing could come wrong unto him, because he was alike for all, having had the whole compend of wit in his braines, he could well and wisely governe the Common-wealth, to fight battailes was his delight; in the making of Leaguers he excelled all other Generalls (as Tilly did know) Engines to devise, to passe over Rivers or Fossies or walles, was his master-peece (as Tillies death can witnesse at the Leacke) to plante batteries or to change, therein he was profound; witnesse also his crossing the Leacke; if lines or approaches were to be altered, his judgment then behooved to be used; in a word he was the Master of Military discipline, being risen from a prentise, to the great professor of Arts, in this eminent and high calling of a Souldier: where it is requisit, that as a man is valorous and judicious, so he ought to be constant in keeping his word and truth inviolable, as this King did to all his confederats, and to his enemies also. And therefore as a

most pretious Iewell, his remarkable example of vertue is to be followed by those, who would-prove Heroicke and Magnificent as he was.

And therefore I was serious to prie so deepe into his actions, as that those, whom I wish to succeede him in his vertues, may follow his practises used in the conquest of a great part of Germany: for his spirit alone and skill in warres was better then thousands of Armed men. The like gifts I heartily wish to my Noble Patron his Highnesse, the Prince Elector Palatine, whom I wish to succeede him, not only in his vertues but in his conquest also.

Seing then the greatest part of humane happinesse doth consist in vertue, who ever then would be wise, let him fix his eyes and his minde to judge o∣ther mens actions, thereby to correct his owne, looking unto all that was and is, to th'end that through their example he may learne to better himselfe; for so long he shall florish, as wisdome and counsell are his guides, which both I wish we may follow.