CHAP. I. Of an Army in general.

AN Army is made up of Horse, Foot, Dragoons, Artillery, and Provisions. The Horse are commonly the third part in num­ber to the Foot.

An Army is divided into Brigads, commanded by Officers named Briga­deers. The Brigads of Horse con­tain twelve Squadrons a piece; and the Squadrons a hundred and fifty Troopers. The Foot for the most part consist of five thousand men, that is to say of six Battallions. The Battal­lions of the Regiment of Guards con­tain five Companies; and the Com­panies an hundred and fifty Souldiers.

The Battallions of the other French Regiments consist of sixteen Compa­nies; and the Companies of fifty Souldiers, three parts Musketeers, and the fourth Pikes.

The Swisse Battallions have only four Companies, but every company contains an hundred and fourscore men.

Every French Battallion besides the sixteen Companies that compose it, has likewise a Company of fifty Gra­nadeers, which marches always twen­ty paces before the Commander.

The body of the Horse is divide [...] into the Gensdarms, and the ligh [...] [Page 3]Horsemen. The Gensdarms are the Troops of the Kings houshold, of the Queens, and of other Princes, whereof the members have still retained the name of Gensdarms, because heretofore they were arm­ed Cap-a-pied, and their Horses Caparisoned. The Light-horsemen [...]re that which now a days we call the Regiments of Light-horse­men, which consist for most part of [...]ix Troops; every Troop of fifty Troopers; commanded by Masters-de-camp, by whose names the Regi­ments are sometimes called.

The Dragoons are souldiers, armed with Fire-locks, Swords and Bayo­ [...]ets, or Daggers, who fight some­times on foot and sometimes on [...]orseback, according as occasion re­quires. They are employed in the [...]eizing on Passes; and therefore they [...]re not ranked in the body of the Army, but march either on the front, [...]r wings, according as the General [...]hinks fit.

The Artillery is a Magazine, or [Page 4]Store of all the Arms and Instrument necessary for the War, under th [...] command of the great Master of A [...] ­tillery, who has under him Lieute­nant Generals, Commissaries, an [...] many other Officers, of whom we sha [...] speak in the following Chapters.

We call Provisions, the stores [...] Bread, Corn, and Meal appointed for the sustenance of the Forces; under the conduct of the Commissary Ge­neral of the provisions, who hat [...] private Commissaries under him.

An Army is only to be commande [...] by one Head, who is called the Ge­neral, and has under him Lieutenant Generals, Marshals de camp, Brig [...] deers, and many other Officers. [...] being now my design to speak of ea [...] Charge severally, I shall begin wi [...] that of the General.

CHAP. II. Of the General of an Army.

THE General is to an Army what the soul is to the body: and as nothing acts in this but by the mo­tions of the soul; so also that great number of Regiments ought to do nothing but by orders from their head. And therefore that charge requires not only a person who is brave and ex­pert, but also who by birth, conduct, liberality, and civility has rendered himself conspicuous. His Valour makes him terrible to his Enemies; and his Experience begets so great confidence in his souldiers, that they seem almost assured of Victory be­fore they fight: but his Birth en­creases his Authority and the respect that is due to him; his Conduct pre­serves his men and renders them victo­rious; his Liberality procures him friends and favourers, and by his Ci­vility he gains the hearts of his Officers and Souldiers.

On the prudence of the General de­pends the safety of the Army; and in my opinion that quality is more necessary to him, than courage. The bravery of Leaders wanting conduct, has sometime reduced things to ex­tremities. And therefore he to whom a Soveraign hath intrusted the com­mand of an Army, should well fore­cast his measures, before he go into the Field: that is to say, place his Magazins in the most commodious places; take good information of the Country which he intends for the seat of the War; not to advance therein so far with his Troops, but that he know how to make their re­treat, and by what means to make them subsist; and above all things to post himself so advantageously that he may always be master of giving or avoiding Battel. Before he under­take any thing, he should always con­sult the chief Officers of his Army, but never acquaint any with his resolu­tion; to consider well his occasion in giving Battel, and not to hazard all [Page 7]his Forces in the fight, endeavouring to overcome his enemy asmuch by in­dustry as by force; as in surprising him in disorder, his souldiers strag­ling, weary, wet, starved with hun­her, cold, or any other bad accident.

He should the rather addict him­self to liberality, that we have several examples of affairs ruined and Troops discomfited, by the sole avarice of Generals who withheld the souldi­ers pay, cut off one half of what was necessary, and were at no expence in entertaining Pensioners and Spies. The reward that is given to them is of so great consequence, that without that a General can never know any thing of the designs of his Enemies; he will remain still ignorant of their force, and shall never have account of their enterprises; in a word, fru­galitie is of no use in War but in husbanding the lives of souldiers.

It ought to be the chiefest care of a General to procure the love of all men, and especially of his Officers; that is to be done by treating them civilly, [Page 8]hearing their reasons, praising and re­compencing good actions, and punish­ing the bad. A General never succeed [...] well if he have drawn upon himself the aversion of his Army, by rugged, hasty and fantastical carriages; and if that be his humour, he may very well say that he has two Enemies to deal with.

The Vicecount of Turen had this advantage, that he had acquired the universal love of his Souldiers; and there was not an Officer nor Souldier in his Army, who would not with all his heart have sacrificed himself for him: and it may be said that his mild­ness and civil way of carriage, have contributed to his conquests as much at least as his courage.

But yet a General should not be so mild and civil, as not to be rigorous when need requires, and cause his Orders most severely to be obeyed; otherwayes Military discipline would become licentious: and therefore he should dis-charge his souldiers to disband and leave their ranks, to go [Page 9]plunder in a friends Country, nor yet in an Enemies without permission; causing such as trespass to be severely punished; and obliging the Comman­ders to look to it under the pain of being called to an account for their neglect.

The duty of a General is to order the March of the Army, and the place of Camping; to visit the Guards; send continually out Parties to skirmish, that they may bring him news of the Enemy; to give eve­ry evening the word to the Lieu­tenant Generals, Mareschals de Camp, Major General, and appoint what is to be done in the night time, or next day. On the day of battel he is to seize on the most advantage­ous post, chuse his ground, and or­der his battel; he is to post his Artil­lery; command the Baggage to re­tire, and send off his detachments. At the Siege of a Town, Fort, or Castle, he is to order the investiture to be made, mark the Camps, the lines of circumvallation and contraval­lation, [Page 10]he is to view the place, and cause it to be attacked where he hath observed it to be weakest, he is to visit the works, hinder any relief to enter, and provide that the Con­voys may arrive with all imaginable security. In a word, the Office of General is of a large extent, and re­quires a most strict care, because on him does a Soveraign repose the care of all his Army.

The King allows the General a certain number of Aids de Camp o [...] Adjutants, whose Office is only to carry about his orders wheresoever there is occasion; with a Troop of Horse Guards: and the first Regiment of Foot in the Army, furnishes him every day with a Guard consisting of a Captain, a Lieutenant, two under-Lieutenants, or an Ensign, two Serje­ants and fifty Souldiers.

CHAP. III. Of Lieutenant Generals.

AS the General is the soul to the body of an Army, so the Lieu­tenant Generals are its noble parts, and these being Offices of greatest importance, require persons, whose courage, capacity and fidelity have been rendred conspicuous by signal services. They ought not only be capable of their own charges; but likewise of that of the General, be­cause it happens often that they are entrusted with the command of some Camps volans or Flying Armies, yea and with some bodies of the Army which they command with an equal Authority to his.

The number of Lieutenant Gene­rals is not limited; they are more or less, according as the Armies are great or small. When there are several in one and the same Army, they have every one of them their day of com­mand. [Page 12]For example, in a siege, there is one Lieutenant General who com­mands the Attacque of the place, and who continues in the Trenches twen­ty four hours, he is called the Lieu­tenant General for the day; the twen­ty four hours being over, he that is to come next takes his place, and so do the rest successively.

The duty of their charge, is to do all that is commanded them by the General, who assigns to every one of them Quarters to Command in, and employs them as occasion requires: some to lead a body of Horse, others to march at the head of Foot, sometimes for a Convoy, sometimes for the Van or Reere guards, and sometimes for Camps Volans. They ought not to fail of being every day with the General, that they may re­ceive his Orders, and afterward give them out in the Quarters and Posts that are entrusted to them, being ve­ry careful to give him incessantly no­tice of all that passes there. For that as well as for other occasions [Page 13]the King allows them Aides de Camp or Adjutants, and Horse Guards.

Every Lieutenant General has daily at his door a Foot Guard, con­sisting of a Lieutenant, a Serjeant and thirty Souldiers.

CHAP. IV. Of the Mareschals de Camp.

THE charge of Mareschal de Camp being of no small con­sequence, nor the least painful of the Army, he that discharges it ought to be brave, judicious and expert, that he may remedy many accidental things. There are more or fewer of them created, according to the great­ness of the Army, and they succeed to one another as the Lieutenant Ge­nerals do: when two Attacques are to be made in the siege of a place, the Lieutenant General for the day, commands that on the right hand; [Page 14]and the Mareschal de Camp the o­ther on the left.

The chief duty of that charge is to go daily and receive orders from the General. Upon the march of an Army, he that is for the day, goes the evening before they move with the Quarter-master, to receive orders for the way and Encamping. He ought to know the Passes, that he may be assured what way is best for the Troops to march: for that effect he is to give notice the evening to the Squadron that is to mount the Guard for the night following, to be in rea­diness against next morning before break of day; with whom he is to march, and the Quarter masters of all the Regiments, of the Artillery and Provisions are to wait upon him, that they may go and mark out the Camp in the place appointed. In his march he is to send some Scouts before and on each side, to beat the rode: and if there happen an Alarm, he is to in­form himself of the nature of it, and send intelligence to the General, that [Page 15]he may receive assistance, and that the Army may have time to draw up. Being come to the place of Encamp­ing, and having chosen the most pro­ [...]er and convenient ground, he is himself to place the great Guard half a League or more, beyond the ground which he hath marked out in ge­neral to the general Quarter-master of the Army, who divides and as­signs the several portions of it, to the Regiment Quarter-masters: that be­ing done he acquaints the General with the state of the Camp, from whom he receives orders for the Guards, Convoys, Escortes and Par­ties, which he distributes amongst the Majors of the Brigads. In a word, the Mareschals de Camp should lodge the whole Army, and be alwayes present at their movings, being the first on Horse-back and the last to a­light. They have Aides de Camp, and Horse Guards as well as the Lieu­renant Generals, with a Court de Guard of Foot at their door, consist­ing of a Serjeant and fifteen men.

CHAP. V. Of Brigadiers.

IT is not long since the Brigads o [...] the Army were commanded by the eldest Masters de Camp, an [...] Colonels; and there was no talk o [...] Brigadiers: but since the King hath made them places with the title of a [...] Office, he chuses commonly for thes [...] charges, those Colonels, Masters d [...] Camp, and Lieutenant Colonel [...] whom he knows to be most experi­enced in the matter of War. Thei [...] duty is to march at the head of the Brigade whereof they have the com­mand, and to lead them whithersoe­ver the General has ordered; having a special care that no Souldier leave his Rank; and giving most expres [...] orders to the Commanders of Regi­ments to see that obeyed. They com­mand amongst themselves according to Seniority: the Brigadiers of Foot mount the Trenches by turn, and [Page 17]relieve one another at the end of four and twenty hours. And the Guard that is appointed for them consists of a Serjeant and ten Souldiers.

CHAP. VI. Of Aides de Camp or Adjutants.

THE charge of Aide de Camp is a most gentile employment for a young person of Quality; fit to make him appear; and wherein he may easily learn and improve himself: [...]t is requisite that he who undertakes [...]t, be prudent, vigilant and strong. The duty of the Aides de Camp, is to be alwaies near the General persons that they may carry their orders where there is need.

CHAP. VII. Of the Major General.

THE charge of Major General o [...] the Army, is late in Franc [...] and invented by the King, who hat [...] found the advantage of it, and wh [...] will have him that enjoyes it endo [...] ed with as much conduct and vigou [...] as experience. He has access to th [...] General at all hours, and ought t [...] lodge near him. His duty is to g [...] every evening and receive orders fro [...] the General, or Lieutenant General fo [...] the day; to write down what he is co [...] manded in his Table-books, that ev [...] ry thing may be punctually put in e [...] ecution; and to distribute them [...] mongst the Majors of Brigads [...] Horse, Foot and Dragoons; reg [...] lating with them the Guards, Co [...] voyes, Parties and Detachments; a [...] appointing an hour and place of Re [...] dezvous for those that are Detache [...] where it is his care to go himself an [...] [Page 19]receive them: and to tell the Comman­ [...]ers what they are to do, appointing Guides to conduct them whither they [...]re ordered to go.

He should have a list of the strength of every Brigad in general, and of very Regiment in particular, with a [...]oll of all the General persons, Bri­ [...]adiers, Masters de Camp, Colonels, [...]ieutenant Colonels and Majors, ac­ [...]ording to their seniority and the [...]ank of their Regiments: In fine, he [...] in the whole Army, what a private [...]ajor is in a Regiment.

CHAP. VIII. Of the Majors of Brigades.

THe Majors of Brigades do in their Brigades, what the Major Ge­ [...]eral does in the whole Army. For [...]ese places the most skilful and ex­ [...]ert Captains of Regiments are cho­ [...]n. Their duty is to be alwaies near [Page 20]the General, or General Persons, [...] go every evening and take orders fr [...] the Major General, who tells th [...] what is to be done either for the sa [...] day or the next, as I have said in [...] [...] foregoing Chapter. When they ha [...] received the orders, and word (whi [...] is commonly the name of a Saint a [...] a Town, as Saint Lowis and Par [...] they carry it first to the Brigadie [...] or the Commanders of their Briga [...] and then distribute it amongst the M [...] jors or Aide-majors of every Re [...] ment. They together regulate t [...] Guards, Parties, Detachments, Co [...] voys, and give them an hour a [...] place of Rendezvous at the head [...] the Brigads, where they take care [...] come and receive them, and to c [...] duct them to the Major General. F [...] instance.

The General of the Army in t [...] evening gives Orders to the Maj [...] General, to have in readiness n [...] [...] morning by the break of day, a C [...] voy of three thousand Foot, and thousand Horse, to be command [Page 21]by a Mareschal de Camp and a Briga­dier.

The Major General having given notice of this to the Mareschal de Camp for the day, calls together the Majors of Brigades to impart to them the Orders which he hath received from the General, and to regulate the Detachment with them, in this man­ [...]er.

If the Army consist of four Brigads of Foot and as many Horse, he di­vides the three thousand Foot a­mongst the four Brigads, and accord­ing to the division which he hath made, he appoints the number which every Brigade of Foot is obliged to furnish: which is seven hundred and fifty Souldiers, fifteen Captains, as many Lieutenants, as many Sub-Lieu­tennats or Enseigns, and thirty Ser­jenats. The thousand Horse divided amongst four Brigads of horse, come to two hundred and fifty Troops a Brigad, five Captains, as many Lieu­tenants, as many Cornets, and as ma­ny Quarter Masters. And because to [Page 22]a Detachment of three thousand Foot there are required three Colonels, an [...] three Lieutenant Colonels; and to [...] thousand Horse three Masters d [...] Camp: the Majors of Brigads should examine together, who are the Bri­gadiers, the Masters de Camp, th [...] Colonels, and Lieutenant Colonels, whose turn it is to March, and to what Brigade they belong. The di­vision being made, every one returns to his Brigade, where he calls toge­ther the Majors or Aide-majors of the Regiments, to acquaint them with the number of Officers and Soul­diers which the Brigade is obliged to furnish against next morning. And as we have said before, that according to our computation every Brigade of Foot should furnish seven hundred and fifty Souldiers, fifteen Captains, fifteen Lieutenants, as many Sub-Lieu­nants, and thirty Serjeants: the Ma­jors are to divide that number a­mongst them, and supposing that eve­ry Brigade consists of six Battallions, it would come to a hundred and [Page 23]twenty five Souldiers for every Battal­ [...]ion, two Captains, two Lieutenants, [...]wo Sub-Lieutenants, and five Ser­ [...]eants: but because there would be [...]ut twelve of every kind of Officers, [...]nd that there needs fifteen; the three [...]emaining must be again taken out of the three first Battallions. The same way is observed for the Horse: a Bri­gade consisting of twelve Squadrons, must furnish two hundred and fifty Troopers, which come to one and twenty Troopers the Squadron, and by consequent to seven men the Troop.

The Majors return to their Regi­ments, where having assembled the Quarter Masters and Serjeants, they command them to have in readiness against next morning, so many men out of each Troop or Company, as have been rated by the sub division they have made, and name the Offi­cers who are to March. The Quar­ter Masters and Serjeants carry that Order to the Officers, and put in Execution what is commanded them.

Next morning, the Majors of the [Page 24]Regiments come to the head of the Camps to receive those that are De­tached from each Company, where having counted them, they draw them up, distribute amongst them necessary Ammunition, and lead them to the Majors of the Brigads, who send them back to the Major General, and the Major General to the Mare­schal de Camp appointed to Command them, who afterward leads them in order of Battel whither the General has Commanded him. And this is the way of making Detachments in an Army.

The Majors of Brigades ought to have a List of the Regiments of their Brigades, know their strength and weakness, and keep a Roll of the Commanders, Majors and Aide-ma­jors according to their seniority and the Rank of their Regiments.

CAAP. IX. Of the Quarter-master General of the Army.

EVery Army ought to have a Quar­ter-master General: but that is a charge which requires a judicious knowing man, and one who is well experienced in Geographie: and be­cause it is wholly his duty to mark out the wayes for marching, and the Camps; he ought in general to be acquainted with all Countrys, know the Rivers and Plains of them, the Woods, Hills, Passes, narrow Pas­sages and Lanes, the Bogs and Marish places, and even the smallest Rivolet. To be perfect in that charge, he ought to be like to the Sieur de Chanlay who is at present Quarter-master to the Kings Army; who though he be but still young, yet to his praise it may be said, that fourty years service could not make him either more skil­ful [Page 26]or of greater experience than he is.

The Quarter-master General should go daily and receive orders from the General, know of him the way the Army must March; and go to the place of Encamping with the Mareschal de Camp for the day, where being ar­rived he sets out the Ground, and di­vides it among the Quarter masters of the several Regiments; he chuses a place for the Kings Quarters, there he marks out the Lodgings of the Ge­neral persons, and of those who ought to lodge there, he assigns a commo­dious place for the Pack of Artillery, another for the Provisions, and ap­points a place for the Hospital, in such a manner that all the Quarters be near the Army and covered by it.

Upon a March he is to give the Ge­neral an account of the Passes and narrow Lanes, to the end that if they meet with any that are troublesome, he might have time to remedy that by sending Pioneers to clear the waies.

CHAP. X. Of Ingeneers.

INgeneers are very necessary as well for Attacking as defending of places. But the chiefest care that is to be taken, is to chuse such as are not only skilful, but who are as brave as knowing; the meaning is, that these imployments require expert and un­daunted men.

When the Ingeneers have view'd the place that is to be Attacked, they make their report of it to the General, and tell him the part which they think weakest; and to which approaches may be most easily made. When an Attacque is resolved, it is their duty to mark out the Trenches, the places of Armes, the Galleries, the Lodgings on the Counterscarp and Half-moon, and to bring on the Works just to the Walls, by the favour of Musket­shot; setting out to the workmen that are appointed them, the Works that [Page 28]they are to finish in one night. I have said that they ought to be expe­rienced and undaunted men, because all that cannot be performed with­out great danger to their persons. And besides an Ingeneer who is igno­rant or fearful, many times does but little mind his business, and makes in­tangled works which must be begun a new again with the loss of many men.

They ought to take orders from the General or the Lieutenant General for the day, about what is to be done in the Trenches: give them a faithful account of all; demand a sufficient number of Labourers, and instruments, provide every thing that may be needful to them, and secure them at the Reer of the Trenches, or in a place appointed for that end. As Faggots, Pick-axes, Gabions, Sho­vels, Spades, Hatchets, Sacks full of Earth, Planks, Tuns, Joists, and many other things which cannot be wanting in an Attack. It is their part also to mark out the lines of circum­vallation, [Page 29]with Redoubts and An­gles of fit distances.

There are more or fewer Ingeneers, according as there is need of them; commanded by a Chief, such as is at present the Sieur de Vauban, Mare­schal de Camp, and Governour of the Citadel de L'isle, and who has given sufficient marks of his Cou­rage and skill on many occasions, not only in the Attacking of places in Holland, Flanders, and the Franch Comte, but likewise in the Fortifica­tion of Towns and Citadels in France, which his Art hath rendred impreg­nable, and put in a condition not to fear any attempts.

CHAP. XI. Of the Captain of the Guides.

GUides are so necessary for the March of an Army, that they cannot be wanted: for that end a [Page 30]Captain of Guides hath been esta­blished, who is alwayes obliged to have some in readiness to be employed as need shall require: as in conducting Convoyes, Parties, the Van-guard, Baggage, Artillery, the Detachments that March on the Wings of the Army, and the Army it self.

It ought to be his first care so soon as he comes to the place of Encamp­ing, to demand some Troopers from the Mareschal de Camp, with whom he may go and summon in the Kings name the Castles and Forts of the Neighbouring Villages, instantly to deliver him a sufficient number of Guides, which the Communalty must furnish: and when they are de­livered to him, he is to tie them to­gether for fear they make their escape, and bring them into the Kings Quar­ter, where he must have a care to lodge them under Guard. He is to send them from Quarters to Quarters, but never to dismiss them until he be provided of others.

This is an Office not to be discharg­ed [Page 31]but by one who is skilful in many languages, and especially in the lan­guage of the Country where the War is made.

CHAP. XII. Of Intendants, Commissaries, and Treasurers.

IT being my design to treat of all the employments which are at pre­sent in use in Armies, I thought it not fit to pass by the Offices of In­tendants, Commissaries and Treasu­rers: and though they be no Sword Employments, and that they require the Pen more than the Hand, yet I shall glance a little at them by the by, because there is no Army without Commissaries, an Intendant and Trea­surers.

The Intendant is to have a care of the Policy, the paying of the Soul­diers, the regulation of Contributi­ons, [Page 32]the establishing of Safeguards and Hospitals, and of the Execution of the Kings orders.

The Commissaries at the beginning of each Month Muster the Troops, or otherwayes when the General pleases; they keep a Roll of the Regiments, of the several Companies, and the Officers that are present; they give the General a Copy of their Muster Rolls and send them to Court.

The Treasurers pay the Army ac­cording to the Commissaries Muster­rolls, and deliver according to the General Intendants order what mo­ny is necessary. There is alwayes a Foot Guard placed at the Treasury, which is commonly in the Kings Quarters near the Intendants Lodg­ings.

CHAP. XIII. Of the Safeguards.

HEretofore the Safeguards were private Troopers of the Guards of General persons, placed in Bur­roughs, Villages, Forts, Abbeys and Castles, to prevent Plundering and Fire: but the King whose Prudence has provided all things necessary, hath erected a Troop of two hundred Horse-men, commanded by a Captain, Lieutenants and Quarter-masters.

These Troopers wear Blew coats, whereon are embroydered two Flow­er-de-luces, the one on the breast and the other on the back, with this in­scription over head, THE KINGS SAFEGƲARD: to the end that they may be generally known by all, and that none disturb them upon pain of death, in the execution of their Du­ty, which is to continue at the entry of places whereof the Guard is commit­ted to them; and by that means to [Page 34]hinder the stragling Souldiers who go a Pillaging to commit any disorder there.

The due of every Safeguard that is employed, is four Crowns a day be­sides the ordinary allowance.

CHAP. XIV. Of the Provost Mareschal of the Army, and of his way of Justice.

JUstice ought to bear rule every where, and especially in Armies, it is the only means to settle order there, and there it ought to be executed with as much exactness as in the best govern­ed Cities of the Kingdom, if it be in­tended that the Souldiers should be kept in their Duty and Obedience. The Provost Mareschal hath been esta­blished for that end, and hath a Troop of Officers on Horseback, with [...] Lieutenant, Exempts, a Clark to Re­cord his Processes, and an Executi­oner [Page 35]to punish those that offend a­gainst the Orders of the King and Ge­neral.

The duty of the Provost Mareschal is to March with his Troop some­times on the Wings, sometimes at the Head, and sometimes at the Reere of the Army, that he may hinder the Souldiers to Plunder places that are spared; he brings in Accusations, executes the Sentences, has the Ad­ministration of Justice over the Mer­chants and Sutlers of the Army, he sets a price upon their goods, and decides the differences that happen amongst them.

There are likewise publick Nota­ries who follow the Army, for the benefit of private persons who may stand in need of them.

CHAP. XV. Of the Hospital.

WAR was never more commo­diously managed than it i [...] at present in France; the cares of ou [...] Monarch are inconceiveable, and hi [...] prudence hath so well provided fo [...] every thing, that it may be said no­thing is omitted which may be ne­cessary for Men. The Hospital is [...] great relief for the sick and wounded they are as well used there as in those of the best Cities of the Kingdom through the care of Phyficians, Apo­thecaries, and Monks affigned the [...] under the conduct of a Director.

It follows the Army constantly until that there be a proper an [...] convenient place found to setle it in to which all the sick are carried; an [...] there is left in the Camp but a De­tachment of the Hospital for the mo [...] urgent necessities. All sorts of Med [...] cines and Instruments necessary fo [...] [Page 37]sicknesses and wounds are in great a­bundance provided: and at present the Fathers Recolets wait on the sick in the Hospital, and go to the Tren­ches to confess the wounded.

CHAP. XVI. Of the Provisions.

IT ought to be the chiefest care of the General of an Army to see that Provisions be never wanting; o­therwayes he may assure himself that it will not last long without melting away and diminishing. And there­fore the King hath established Com­missaries General of Provisions, who ought to know the number of the men whom they are to provide for; chuse a fit place for their stores; know when they are to begin to distribute them, and how long it will continue, to the end they may provide a suffici­ent quantity of Corn and number of Bakers.

Ammunition Corn consists of two thirds of Wheat and one third of Rye: the Bushel of that grain weighs about eighteen pound weight; where­of there is made three pound weight of Bran, and fifteen of Flower, which is knead with ten pound weight of Water, and whereof the Dough weighs five and twenty pounds: e­leven ounces of Dough make ten of baked Bread: every Souldier has given him for two daies a Loaf weigh­ing three pound weight. When he Marches by any publick Store-house, or place of Provisions, he is allow­ed a pint of Wine of Paris measure and a pound of meat. In an Army bread should never be wanting to the Souldiers, and the General persons should have a care that what is given them be neither musty nor stink; that proves very many times the cause of their Distempers.

Every Ammunition Waggon is drawn by four strong Horses, and carries fifteen hundred Loaves; there must be three times as many Carriages as are neces­sary [Page 39]for bringing one dayes Provisi­ons; one third part to go fetch them from the Towns where the Store­houses are kept; another to come with them, and the third to distribute and unload them. There is common­ly added to the Provisions of one day a fourth part of Bread more than is necessary. The General should ne­ver suffer these Carriages to March without a very strong Guard, that they may arrive with all security.

The Commissary General of the Provisions receives orders from the General for the March of his Con­voys, and the places of his Provisi­ons: he hath private Commissaries under him, who are alwayes with the Convoys of the Waggons, and keep a punctual account of the Provisions which they deliver to the Majors or Aide-majors of the Regiments ac­cording to a Copy of the Muster­roles of the Commissaries of War.

CHAP. XVII. Of the Artillery and its Officers.

THE Artillery is a Provision of all Armes and Instruments that are necessary for War, such as are Canons and their Carriages, Bullets, Bombs, Morter pieces, Petards, Grana­do's, Cartridges, Barrels of Pouder, Ball and Match, Saucissons, red hot Bullets, Godrons, pitched Faggots stuffed with Granado's, all kinds of Arms, Hatchets, Sawes, Shovels, Pick-Axes, Wedges, Ladders of wood and ropes, Beams, Joysts, Planks, Tuns or Hogsheads, Ropes, Pontons or Boats for Bridges, and all sorts of Artificial Fire: all these things are not drawn after an Army without a great many Carriages, horses and men appointed for the conduct of that Train. The place where it is Encamped is commonly called the Park of Artil­lery, where there is a foot Guard set, at more than thirty paces distance [Page 41]from it, and the Sentinels stand there, only with a Pick or Halbard, it being most expresly enjoyned them, to suffer no man whosoever to approach with lighted Matches or Pipes of Tobaco, by reason of the Accidents that have been many times occasioned thereby.

The Artillery has at present for its Guard and service a Regiment of Fire-locks consisting of two Battal­lions, under the Command of the great Master or General of Artillery, whereof the four first companies are made up of Carpenters, Cartwrights, Joyners, Smiths, Lock-smiths, Hatchet­makers, Quarry-men and Miners.

CHAP. XVIII. Of the March of an Army.

IT is the Generals prudence to order the March of his Army, according to the commodiousness of the Coun­try, and the knowledge he hath of the Enemies Forces.

A great Army marches commonly in three great bodies, the Artillery and Baggage in the middle: but the Country must not be traversed with Marishes or Rivulets, and there must be an easy communication between one body and another. If the Ene­my be on the right hand, and the left covered by a River, the Equi­page should march on the side of the River, and the Army in a body or [Page 48]two on the side of the Enemy, hav­ing alwayes Detachments of Horse or Dragoons in the Van-guard and on the Wings.

When an Army hath long narrow passages of Woods or Mountains to pass through, the General sends of immediately some Regiments of Foot, and lines his Squadrons with Battalli­ons, leaving Foot in the Woods or on the heights to facilitate the pas­sage of the Artillery and Equipage; and as his Troops get through he draws them up in Battel array, and keeps them so until all the Army have passed the Pass.

When an Army Marches in a Coun­try where there is no fear of any powerful Army, and where the Ge­neral would have them live more at their ease; he divides them into se­veral Bodies, which he sends by seve­ral wayes, under the Command of General persons, appointing to all of them a general Rendezvous.

The Army in a March is divided into the Van-guard, the body of the [Page 49]Battel, and the Reer-guard; the Van and Reer-guards are Commanded by Lieutenant Generals and Mareschals de Camp; the General abides com­monly in the body of the Army, from whence he sends his Orders to all places where there is need of them, by his Aides de Camp or Ad­ [...]utants, or by his Majors of Brigads. The Cavalry is divided into two Bo­dies and the Infantry march in the middle betwixt them: the first Bri­gades have the Van-guard and Reer­guard by turns; that is, that they who have the Van-guard to day, have [...]he Reer-guard to morrow: that is lone by making the Army File off one day to the right and the other to [...]he left.

CHAP. XIX. Of Encamping.

IT is the business of the Mareschal de Camp, to lodge the Army; for that end he should go view the Coun­try, and chuse the most convenient and fit ground for a Camp, which ought not to be far from water, pos­sessing himself as much as can be, o [...] the hills and heights. It is commonly the practice to Camp an Army in two lines, the latter distant from the for­mer five hundred Paces, the Hors [...] on the Wings, and the Foot in th [...] middle, in such a manner that it al­wayes look toward the Enemy, an [...] be covered behind by a River, Broo [...] or Marsh. Every Squadron have threescore Foot of Ground allowe [...] them, and Battallions fourscore an [...] ten for their Encamping; which [...] divided amongst the Companies an [...] Troops as well for the Huts and Sta­bles which ought to be on a streigh [...] ­line, [Page] [Page]

[Page] [Page 51]as for the Lanes. The void that separates the Camps should contain thirty Paces.

The Huts of the Quarter Masters and Serjeants, are alwayes at the head of the Troopers and Souldiers, and the Officers Tents behind.

The Camp of the first Brigade of the Army is on the right hand of the first line; that of the second on the left; the third is posted on the right of the second line, the fourth on the left, and the rest in the Center ac­cording to their seniority: this is ob­served among the Horse as well as Foot. The Dragoons are never En­camped in the Body of the Army, but have their Camp at the Head or on the Wings, in that side where the greatest danger is, serving alwayes as an out-Guard for the Army.

Every Regiment ought to have a Guard at the head of their Camp, and the Mareschal de Camp for the day takes care to place the great Guard half a League beyond the Army to­wards the Enemy, chusing for that [Page 52]effect a place where all the Avenues may be discovered: there it continues during the day, and at night draws off near the Army, at the head of the Foot.

When an Army Encamps near the Enemy; and there is no River to di­vide them; the General Entrenches his Camp, and makes his men pass the night in Arms.

The Master de Camp that mounts the Guard, is to send off an out­Guard (which is commonly called in French, La Garde folle, the foolish Guard) consisting of twenty four Troopers, Commanded by a Lieu­tenant, whom he Posts a Musket-shot beyond his Squadron, in a place from whence the Country about may easily be discovered. The duty of him that commands the great Guard is, to let none whosoever pass without an or­der, to look every where about, and to send notice to the General when­sover he discovers any forces, because the whole Army trusts in him. All o­ther things are disposed in the man­ner [Page] [Page] [Page]

[Page] [Page 53]that I have before mentioned, in the Chapters of the Mareschal de Camp, and of the Quarter-master Ge­neral of the Army.

CHAP. XX. Of Sieges and Attaques.

WHen a General intends to Be­siege a place, he causes it first to be invested by a Body of Horse, under the Command of a Lieutenant General, and a Mareschal de Camp, to hinder all succours from entering it, whilest he himself is expected with the rest of the Army.

The manner of Encamping at a Siege is quite different from that of a March. Here the Army ought to Environ the place in such a manner that nothing can enter it, endea­vouring as much as may be to keep the Camps without Cannon-shot.

If the place stand upon a River, [Page 54]there is a Detachment made of one part of the Army which takes its Quarters on the other side with Brid­ges of communication, where Re­doubts are made wherein are placed strong Foot-guards. If it be en­compassed with hills, the heights are to be possessed from which the Ene­mies might extreamly incommode the Besiegers, if they are once become Masters of them.

In a Siege the Army Encamps with their back to the place, the Battalli­ons lined with Squadrons. The In­geneers mark out the lines of Cir­cumvallation and Contravallation with Redoubts, and Angles in fit distances; and every Regiment works at them in the place of its Quarter. The line of Circumvallation is that which is beyond the Camps designed only to hinder any relief to enter. The line of Contrevallation is be­twen the Camps and the place, which cures the Besiegers from Sallies.

When the General hath ordered his Camps, placed his Guards as well [Page 55]on the side of the place, as of the Country about, and that he hath ap­pointed Lieutenant Generals to Com­mand in each Quarter, with orders what to do; he goes with his Inge­neers to view the place, and orders the Attaque to be made at the part which he thinks to be weakest: for that end he commands the first Regi­ments of Foot to be in readiness in more or less number according to the strength of the Besieged, that he may open the Trenches; and orders as ma­ny Squadrons as he thinks convenient to mount the Guard of them, and to beat back the Sallies of the Enemies; the Regiments which are to open the Trenches make their Detachments, be­fore they draw out of their Camps; they furnish the number of Labourers that the Ingeneers have required, with Officers to lead them: and the time of marching out drawing near, the Majors draw up the Battallions, the Chaplains make the accustomed Pray­ers with a short exhortation, at the end whereof they give a general Ab­solution, [Page 56]and the Souldiers cry, God save the King, throwing their Hats in the Air.

The Regiments draw off in good order, Drums beating, the Officers with Pikes in hand, the party De­tached at their front; and come to the place of working, where they re­ceive Orders what to do from the Lieutenant General for the day, or the Mareschal de Camp. So soon as day ends, all the Cavalry of the Ar­my, except those who have the Guard, go and bring Faggots to the Reer­ward of the Trenches; they who are appointed to defend the Labourers, lay themselves on their Bellies some paces beyond the Counterscarpe, and part of the Souldiers commanded to work, begin to dig and cast up the earth, according as it hath been mark­ed out to them by the Ingeneers, whilst the others bring them Faggots and Mattocks.

The Trenches ought to be six foot and a half high, and four broad, with Banquets for the convenience of the [Page 57]Musketeers; and the Ingeneers should carry them on in such a manner that they be not open to the place: when it cannot be otherwayes, that part which is open is covered with great Faggots or Planks of wood called Ma­driers.

When two Attacks are made, the first Regiment hath the right, and the second the left.

The great Master or General of the Artillery carries on the works at the Batteries, and brings thither the Cannon, with a sufficient Provision of all that can be useful to the Trenches.

If there be no Rideaw, Shelter, nor Bottom or Depth at the Reer of the Trenches to cover the Horse-guard; there are Earthen works (called Es­paulments) cast up, which must be Cannon proof, behind which they place themselves.

So soon as day breaks, the Lieu­tenant General causes all the men draw back within the lines of approaches called the Boyau, where every one betakes himself to his Post that they [Page 58]may incessantly fire against the place; whilest the Pieces of Battery do all they can to dismount the Enemies Guns, and spoil their works.

All the Guards of the Trenches are relieved at the end of twenty four hours, at the same hour that they were mounted; and the Regiments that enter the Guard should continue the works as far as the Palissadoe. They who come after Attack the Chemin couvert the Covered way; they drive the Enemies from thence with Grana­does, whilest others pluck up the Palissadoes, and make there a lodg­ing with Gabions, Faggots, and Sacks full of earth, into which a Captain and Musketeers are placed for its pre­servation. If the Ditches be full of water, they are filled with Faggots, stuffed with Stones. When the half­moon which is to be carried is in­vested, they blow it up with Mines, and having driven the Enemies from thence, they lodge themselves on it. From thence they make a Gallery into the Ditch which joynes to the Bastion [Page 59]whereto the Miner is to be set, whilest [...] the mean time the Batteries are ad­ [...]anced as far as the Covered way. If [...]he Gallery were in a dry Ditch; the [...]ieutenant General should not omit to [...]ake Provision of several Hogsheads [...]f water, which is made use of to [...]uench the Artificial fires that the Be­ [...]eged might throw from the Rampart [...]pon the Gallery; the Miner being [...]odged at the foot of the Bastion, he [...]akes a Mine there and Charges it. And when every thing is ready to give the Assault, the General causes [...]he Besieged to be summoned to ren­ [...]er before the Mine play, promising [...]hem all good conditions, if they had [...]ather Surrender, than abide the As­ [...]ault; Hostages are sent from either [...]ide, whilest the Capitulation is frame­ [...]ng, which is no sooner Signed but [...]hat the General Commands the two first Regiments of Foot with a Lieu­ [...]enant General, to go take possession of the Place; and establish Courts of Guard wheresoever there is need. If the Capitulation bear that the Forces [Page 60]that were in Garrison should be P [...] soners of War; they are disarme and shut up in some convenient plac [...] to which a strong Guard is put. B [...] if it be agreed upon by the Treat [...] that they shall march out, with B [...] and Baggage, Drums beating, Colo [...] [...] flying, lighted Matches, and so [...] pieces of Cannon; the General ha [...] ing put his Men in Arms, comes [...] see the Enemies Garrison march o [...] the Officers at the head of their Co [...] panies who ought to salute him wi [...] their Arms, and the Governour at t [...] Reer of all; and sends with them Guard of Horse to Convoy them [...] the place that hath been grant [...] them by the Capitulation.

It is the right of the first Foot-R [...] giments of the Army to take possessio [...] of all Conquered places, to make t [...] themselves places of Armes, to Gua [...] the Posts of them, and there to co [...] tinue until there be a Commander an [...] Garrison established therein. An [...] the Army never decamps from be­fore them, till the breaches be firs [...] [Page 61]repaired, the Works refitted, the Lines and Trenches filled up, and the Mines uncharged; that ought to be [...]he care of the General, as well as to [...]ill the Store-houses with Provisions and necessary Ammunition.

CHAP. XXI. Of the Officers of a Place.

THE Officers which the King places in a Town of War, are [...] Governour, a Lieutenant of the King, a Major, Aides Majors, and Captains of the Gates.

It is the Governours part to have continual care of the preservation of [...]he place which hath been entrusted [...]o him, because his head must answer for it; his Office is to appoint the Guards, Rounds, and Patrouils: [...]o give the word every evening; vi­ [...]it the Posts, keep the Officers and Souldiers to their duty, charge them [Page 62]to be diligent, and to send oft [...] out Parties as well to learn new of the Enemies, as to raise contr [...] butions from the neighbouring Cou [...] try.

The Kings Lieutenant comman [...] in the place and Government in a [...] sence of the Governour with the sa [...] Authority.

The Serjeant Major sees the Guar [...] mounted, the Rounds and Posts a [...] signed: he regulates the Sentinel [...] goes every evening to receive th [...] Word from the Governour, and giv [...] it about upon the place of Arms, [...] the Quarter-masters and Serjeants [...] the Garrison; he goes his Roun [...] major: he visits the Courts of Guar [...] the Escouades and Arms of the Sou [...] diers; he causes necessary Ammunit [...] on to be distributed amongst them he orders the Gates to be opened an [...] shut, and gives the Governour an e [...] act account of all that passes in th [...] place.

The Adjutants or Aides-Majo [...] are more or less in number accordin [...] [Page 63]to the greatness of places; they go [...]he Rounds with the Major by turns, [...]nd the duties of their charges differ [...]othing at all from his.

The care of the Captains of the Gates is to go evening and morning to the Governours House to receive the Keyes of the Gates, that they may open and shut them.

There is no Frontier place wherein there is not a Commissary of Artillery, a Store-keeper, who keeps an account of all the Ammunition, and distri­butes them according to the Gover­nours order; Gunners, whereof there is alwaies one on the Guard at the Batteries; and a Commissary of Pro­visions who hath the charge of the Corn, Flower, and of all that may serve for the sustenance of a Garrison.

The Officers who are in Garrison in a place owe all kind of obedience and respect to the Governour, and they cannot go out for what reason soever without a permission from him in writing, or from the person that Commands there in his absence.

In Garrison Towns that are well ordered there are some men placed at the Gates, whose care is only to ob­serve Forrainers that come in and go out; and according to the compa­ring of the Memorials which they and all the Innkeepers of the Town bring every evening to the Major; it is known how many strangers are every night in the place, what they are, and where the lodge.

The Governours, Kings Lieute­nants, Majors, and Aids-majors, have all almost at this time free Companies of Firelocks or Dragoons, who do nothing else but make Inrodes upon the Enemies Country.

CHAP. XXII. Of the Guard of places.

THE hour of mounting the Guard is different in Garrison Towns according to the inclination [Page 65]of the Governours. Some do it at the break of day, because at the time when the gates are opened, which is the usual hour of surprizes, two thirds of the Garrison are in Arms; others mount it at ten of the Clock in the morning, or towards the evening: but the usual time of almost all the Garrisons of the Kingdom, is at two of the Clock Afternoon.

Whilest the Drums beat to the Guard, the Corporals ought to go to the Majors house, who makes them [...]ast lots for the Posts and Rounds, [...]nd writes them down in a Register [...]ept for that purpose. Having done [...]o, they return to their Escouades, who gather together before the Captains [...]odgings, and the Serjeants lead them [...]n good order, Drums beating, as far [...]s the place of Arms, to that part where the Guards of the Post which [...]as fallen to their share ought to meet. When all the Escouades are gathered [...]ogether, and drawn up; the Major [...]r Aide-major makes the Officers [...]raw lots for the Posts and Rounds, [Page 66]beginning by the Captains and end­ing at the Serjeants.

At the places which are weakest, and where there is greatest dange [...] there is a stronger Guard put, Com­manded by a Captain with a sub Lieutenant or Ensign, and two o [...] three Serjeants.

The Guard being set and the O [...] ficers having taken their Posts, th [...] Major begins to make the Guard [...] the place of Arms draw off: th [...] those of the Gates and Bastions, an [...] lastly, those that are without. While the Guard is mounting, the Office [...] of the Guard that is to be relieve put their Souldiers in Arms, and dr [...] them up in Haye on the side of t [...] Court of Guard, that they may lea [...] the place to the Guard that is to [...] lieve them, and post themselves o [...] [...] against them. This is the Comma [...] that is given on that occasion.

The Officers of the Guard that mounts file off their Souldiers, and [...]ut them in Haye by the side of the Court of Guard: the Officers of the Guard that is relieved deliver to them [...]he Orders if there be any new; the Corporals do the like to their Com­ [...]ades; they charge them with the Furniture of the Court of Guard, and [...]nform them of the number of Senti­ [...]els that are to be set as well by night [...]s by day, and of what they have to [...]o extraordinarily. The Consigna­ [...]ions being made, and the Sentinels [...]elieved, the Officers of the Guard [...]hat is relieved, make their Souldiers File off, and lead them to the place of Arms, where having put them in [...]attallia, they thank them. The Of­ [...]cers of the Guard that has mounted [...]ommand the Souldiers to lay down [...]heir Arms, making them march three steps, by this word of Command.

So soon as the Arms are laid down the Officers and Corporals shoul [...] look if they be in condition to fire, [...] the Bandeleers be provided of Powder and Match, and give strict orde [...] to the Sentinels that are at th [...] gates, never to suffer any stop [...] Waggons or Carts upon the Bridge [...] charging them to stop those th [...] come in or go out, until they kno [...] that no others are coming to m [...] [...] them.

When a stranger on horse or fo [...] offers to come into the Town; [...] [...] out Sentinels ought to stop him, th [...] call the Corporal, who gives not [...] [...] of it to the Officer; and the Offi [...] [...] sends one or two Musketeers w [...] [...] him to the Governours lodging.

At what distance soever a Senti [...] [...] perceives any Troops, he oug [...] to give notice thereof to the Co [...] [...] of Guard; and the Officer causes i [...] mediately the Barier to be made fa [...] [Page 69]or a Bridge to be drawn, letting no body in, unless the Major or Aide-Major bring orders for it from the Governour.

When it is time to shut the gates, the Alarm-bell is Rung to call in those that are abroad in the fields, and the Aide Majors or Captains of the gates attend­ed by some Musketteers of the Court of Guard of the place of Arms, come [...]o the Governours house for the [...]eyes; and so soon as they come to [...]he gates the Officers command the [...]ouldiers to light their Matches, and [...]aving Ranked them in two Files, or­ [...]er them to present their Arms; and [...]end the Pikes to help to draw up [...]he Bridges. After that the gates [...]re shut, one half of the Guard is [...]rawn off that they may pass the [...]ight upon the Ramparts, in the [...]ourts of Guard of the Courtines or Bastions: the Corporals send some of the Souldiers of their Escouades for Wood and Candle: and the Serje­ants go to the place of Arms to re­ceive the Word, which is no sooner [Page 70]given but that the Drums beat th [...] retreat, and the Serjeants of Guar [...] carry the Word to their Officers, an [...] give it about amongst the Corporal [...] who command the Sentinels to suffe [...] no body any more to pass upon th [...] Ramparts without commanding the [...] to stand, and giving notice of it t [...] the Court of Guard.

When the Major goes the Round the Officers of the Guard go and re­ceive him by two Musketteers, an [...] give him the Word onceonly, th [...] is, at his Round-major.

When the Governour or King Lieutenant go the Round, the Office [...] having Ranked their Souldiers [...] File out of the Court of Guard an [...] without Arms, send four Muskettee [...] to receive them ten paces off; an [...] give them the Word as often as the [...] please to demand it. All other Roun [...] without exception ought to give th [...] word to the Corporals or Lansp [...] sades of the Courts of Guard, wh [...] receive it with the point of their [...] [...] ked Sword at the heart of him th [...] [Page 71]gives it. In Garrisons that are well guarded the Rounds go every quar­ter of an hour, to the end the Ram­part may never be unfurnished.

The Rounds are alwayes made with light, and so soon as a Senti­nel perceives any, it is his duty to cry, Who comes there? so loud that he may be heard by the next Courts of Guard. He that goes the Round should answer, the Round, or the Round­major, or the Governours Round.

The Sentinels by whom he passes shall alwayes present their Arms, and never permit any whomsoever to ap­proach them. When he draws near a Court of Guard, the Sentinel be­fore the Arms shall ask him very loud, who comes there? so soon as he answers, the Round; he is to bid him Stand. Corporal come forth. Thereupon the Corporal comes immediately out of the Court of Guard, draws his Sword, and asks, Who comes there? when he is answered, the Round. He saies, let him that hath the Word advance.

The Round advances and gives the [Page 72]Word into the Corporals ear, so low that he can be heard of no body but of him alone: but if perchance one should give another word than what was the true, he ought to stop him that goes the Round, and acquaint his Officer, who orders him to be kept in the Courts of Guard all the night long.

The out Courts of Guard make Rounds about the covered wayes, in French, les chemins couverts; but they give no word, they are only made to hearken, and every Souldie [...] goes the Round by turn.

The Patrouilles are made in the streets of the Town by a Serjeant and six Musketteers of the Guard of the place of Arms, to make the Souldi­ers retire to their Quarters, the pub­lick houses shut their doors, and to hinder the disorders that may be com­mitted by night, stopping and carry­ing to the Court of Guard all that are found in the streets without light and order.

At what hour so ever the Alarm is [Page 73]Rung, all the Companies ought with diligence to gather together before the Captains Quarters, who leads them to the Posts that have been ap­pointed them by the Major.

At the break of day, the Drums beat the Reveillie, which the French call the Dienne, the Alarm-bell is rung, the Aide-majors and Captains of the gates come to the Governours house for the Keyes, and the Officers of the Guard bring off the Souldiers who passed the night on the Ram­parts, Rank them in two Files, and make them present their Arms whilest the Gates are opening: the Majors send a Serjeant with some Musketteers, to scoute in the Suburbs, and in the hollow wayes about the Town, and draw a Bridge upon them until they come back; when they bring account that there is no danger, the rest of the Bridges are let down, the Cor­porals place the out Sentinels whom they inform of what they have to do; the Majors and Captains of the [Page 74]Gates carry back the Keys to the Governours house, and the Officers make the Souldiers lay down their Arms.

In Towns where are many horse, the Governour places daily fifty Troopers in Guard, and sends every morning an Officer with some Horse­men to beat the Rode half a League round the place.

Every Officer of Guard must an­swer for his Post, and no man not so much as his Colonel can command him in any thing, except the Gover­nour of the place or he that com­mands in his absence.

All Governours or Commanders ought to have a Sentinel at their door: and as often as they pass by any Court of Guard, the Officers are obliged to draw out their Soul­diers, put them in Haye without Arms, and stand at their head.

If the Commander of a place be a Lieutenant General, he is to have a Guard at his door, consisting of a [Page 75]Lieutenant, Serjeant, and thirty men, who are to be in Arms as well as the other Courts of Guard every time that he passes: but the Drums are not to beat the March.

When a Commander is Mareschal of France or Governour of a Pro­vince, he is to have a Guard of fifty men commanded by a Captain, Lieu­tenant, a sub-Lieutenant and two Serjeants, and all Courts of Guard are obliged to be in Arms when he passes by, and the Drums to beat the March.

When the Princes of blood, the Mareschals of France, and the Generals of an Army pass through any Town, the Governours furnish them with a Foot-guard, and at their entry and departure salute them with some Volleys of Cannon.

CAAP. XXIII. Of Battels.

THough Battels be not so frequent now a daies as heretofore, yet the knowledge of them is not to be slighted. A good General is al­wayes the Master to give or avoid Battel; and when he judges it conve­nient to hazard a Battel, it is pru­dence in him to use all his circum­spection before-hand: Seizing on the most advantageous Posts, and exposing his Enemy to all the incon­veniences of weather and seasons. He chuses at first a field of Battel fit for the quality and number of his Forces: if the number of his Horse exceed the Foot, he covets Plains; and when he has more Infantry than Cavalry, he possesses himself as much as possibly he can of narrow and co­vered places. He Posts his Artillery [Page] [Page] [Page]

[Page] [Page]

[Page] [Page 77]on the Front of his Army, he draws up his Troops into two Lines, place­ing the Horse on the Wings of the Foot, or lining his Squadrons with Battallions according to the order of the Enemies Army.

The General makes a body of reserve of some Brigads of Horse and Foot, whom he Posts at the Reer of the lines: and commands all his Dragoons to alight that they may first fall on with the Forlorn hope, posting them for that end at the Front of his Army. Afterward he visits his Regiments one after another, and places General persons at each Post; the first Lieutenant General at the right Wing, the second at the left, with Mareschals de Camp; others at the second Line, and some with the body of Reserve, where he continues himself during the Fight, after that he hath given his orders in all places; and from whence he sends assistance to the weakest posts.

When all things are rightly dis­posed, [Page 78]he observes the Enemies coun­tenance, and their order of Battel: he begins the Charge at that side where he finds himself to be strongest; making his Troops to good pur­pose fight the one after the other, and not all at the same time, and or­dering them to observe their distance so well, that the former being over­thrown, may not fall back on those who are to second them.

If the first Line be so warmly charged by the Enemies, that it is forced to give ground; the second is in all readiness to engage, whilest the disordered Troops Rallie again and return afresh to the Charge; and therefore a General ought to have many good Officers under him, to remedy all the Accidents that may happen during the Fight.

It being impossible that he can be in all places himself, or give orders any where but in the side where h [...] is; when his Army has got the bet­ter, he should never suffer his men to [Page 79]Plunder or pursue, unless the Enemy be wholly broken; and though it be good to pursue vigourously, yet he must still keep some Troops in good order, who leave not their Ranks, that so they may prevent all incon­veniencies.

CHAP. I. [...]f the Officers-General of the Light Horse-men.

HAving in the first Part discour­sed of Charges, and of what concerned an Army, and pla­ [...]s in general; I shall in this, treat of [Page 2]particular Officers, and of all th [...] they are obliged by their employ­ments.

The first charge of the Light Hor [...] men is that of the Colonel General whose power is to command them [...] all places, to send them out in Part [...] give them the order of fighting, tak [...] inspection of the Officers to see they do their duty, if the Troops [...] in good condition, to casheer insu [...] ­cient Troopers, and turn off bad Ho [...] ses. He serves commonly the Ar [...] in quality of Lieutenant General, a [...] the new Officers are obliged to app [...] themselves to him. This Charge at present possessed by the Cou [...] d'Auvergne; who on many occasio [...] has given proof that he was not u [...] worthy to succeed to the Offices his Uncle, Monsieur de Turenne.

The Master General de Camp co [...] ­mands in absence of the Colonel, w [...] [...] the same Authority; as at pres [...] [...] doth the Marquess of Renel, Lieu [...] ­nant-General of the King's Armi [...]

The Charge of Commissary-Gene­ral is the third, possessed be Monsieur de la Cordomere, Lieutenant General of the King's Armies. He keeps a Roll of all the Light Horse men, mu­sters them when he thinks fit, obli­ges the Captains to keep their Troops full, casheers bad Troopers and little Horses, and gives the King an exact account of the strength of Compa­nies, and of the Conduct of all the Officers.

The Light Horse-men have their particular Quarter-masters; whose duty is to go to the place of encamping with the Marshal de Camp for the day; and to receive from the Quarter-Master General of [...]he Army, the Ground that is appoin­ [...]ed for the Horse: And they are a­ [...]ongst the Light Horse-men, what [...]he General Quarter-Master is to the Army. And therefore it is necessary [...]hey should be able and experienced, [...]nd that they be perfectly acquainted [...]ith the Countries, Woods, Rivers, [...]asses and narrow Passages. They [Page 4]take Orders from the Colonel Gene­ral, or from him who in his absence Commands the Horse.

CHAP. II. Of Masters de Camp, and Ma­jors of Horse.

IT is not very long since there was no talk in France of Regiments of Light Horse-men; there were none but Troops of Ordinance, which have been since made into Regi­ments; the Command whereof has been given to Officers who have been qualified with title of Master de Camp, which is the same thing as a Colonel of Foot.

A Master de Camp ought to be a man of Authority, that he may abso­lutely command his Captains. His chief Charge is, to march at the head of his Regiment, and to lead them into Fight to the place that the Ge­neral [Page 5]has appointed him in the Van­guard, Battel, or Rere-Guard. It is his duty to visit his Troops, to cause the Guards to be well ordered, chan­ged and relieved, hinder his Troop­ers from leaving their Ranks, see if the Captains take care of their Troops, if they be well furnished of Men, Arms and Horses, and to command the Officers to do what they ought. He should render all o­bedience to the General, Lieutenant Generals, Marshals de Camp, and to the Brigadeers; yea, and to the Ge­neral persons of the Horse. When he marches at the head of his Regi­ment, it is his Post to be four paces before the Captains.

The Regiments of Horse who are strangers, have Lieutenant Colonels, but the French have only Majors; who are always the eldest Captains, and who command in absence of the Masters de Camp. When a Regiment consists of several Squadrons, the Ma­ster de Camp marches at the head of the first, and the Major at the head of the second.

Every Regiment of Horse hath an Aid-Major; whose Charge is to ap­point the Quarters, to place and re­lieve the Guards, to make the De­tachments, to take the Word from the Major of the Brigade, carry it to the Commander, and give it about a­mongst the Quarter-Masters of the Troops.

CHAP. III. Of the Captains of the Light-Horse.

A Captain of Light Horse ought to be Brave, Experienced, Di­ligent; and above all things, very Careful. His duty is to lead his Troop whithersoever he is comman­ded by his Master de Camp, or by the General: He ought to have a care of his Troopers, often visit their Horses, see if they be well kept, and that they want for nothing. His [Page 7]place is always to be before his Com­pany some paces, unless it be in the day of Battel; and then he puts the puttocks of his Horse into the first Rank of the Squadron. When he is [...]n Quarter, he ought to instruct his Troopers how to use their Arms, ride their Horses, form a Squadron, put themselves again into Battel-Array when they are broken by a Halt, or by the way; and above all things, to [...]each them the Quarter Wheeling (in French, le Quart de Conversion) which is the principal motion of the Horse. The Captain has power to [...]reate in his Troop a Quarter-Master, [...]nd three Brigadeers; and the King [...]upplies the Charges of Lieutenant [...]nd Cornet.

The Command amongst Captains [...] quite different in Horse from what [...]t is in Foot: In Foot they command [...]ccording to the Seniority of their Regiments; but in Horse they follow [...]nly the date of their Commissions: [...]at is observed amongst the Masters [...]e Camp, and the other Officers of [...]orse.

CHAP. IV. Of Lieutenants and Cornets.

THe Lieutenants ought to be as capable as the Captains, be­cause in absence of them they have the same Charge and Authority. They should procure the love and fear of the Horsemen of their Troops, visit them often, recommend to them the care of their Horses and Arms, and give the Captains an exact account of all that happens. They must not be severe to the Troopers without ground, that occasions running away and desertion; but especially in the presence of the Captains, because they have no Authority then; but in their absence they are to exact punctual obedience of them, and no [...] to spare those who fail in their duty, and in the service of the King. It is their part to observe the actions of the Quarter-Masters and Brigadeers, [Page 9]that they may keep them to their du­ty, and make them provide what is necessary for their Troops. Their Post in a March is at the left hand of the Captains.

The Charge of a Cornet is a gen­tile and handsome employment for a young man, who begins the professi­on of a Horse-man, and desires to learn it. He ought to have as great care of the Troop as the Lieutenant, seeing he commands it in his absence. His duty is to carry the Standard whi­thersoever the Troop marches, or to have it carried by a stout and faithful Horseman whom he is to pay for that Office; but at a Muster, at the Guard, or in a day of Battel, he is to carry it himself; and should rather be killed than forsake it, because to lose it is a dishonour to himself and his Troop.

His place in a day of Battel is at the fifth File in the first Rank of the Squa­dron: when the Troop files off, he marches alone after the third Rank; and when he carries not his Standard, he takes the left hand of the Lieute­nant. [Page 10]The Cornet must know that in Detachments the Standard is never carried, but only when all the Troop marches.

There is no talk of a Cornet in the Troops of Gendarms, but of an En­sign and Guidon; and every Troop carries both.

CHAP. V. Of Quarter-Masters, and Bri­gadeers of the Troops of Light Horsemen.

THe Creation of a Quarter-Ma­ster of a Troop depending ab­solutely on the Captain, he ought al­ways to chuse amongst his Troopers him whom he shall judge most ca­pable of that charge, because he com­mits to him the care of his Troop; and besides that he ought to be stout and vigilant, it is necessary that he should read, write and cast Accounts. [Page 11]His duty is to keep a List of the Troo­pers, and of their Quarters; to visit often the Stables, cause the Horses to be dressed in his presence, examine if the Saddles and Bridles want nothing, have a care that the Troopers sell not their Forage, to go to the Captain's Quarters evening and morning, and especially when he pays the Troop. It is his part take the care of the Arms and Ammunition, set Guards at the places appointed by the Major, and often to visit the Vedetes. When the Troop marches, his Post is at the Rear, that he may hinder the Troo­pers from quitting their Ranks, or staying behind. In the Field or Gar­rison, he receives the Provisions and Forage at the Store-houses, and de­livers them to the Brigadeers, who divide them among the Troopers. And he is to be every evening at the Circle, there to receive the Order and Word from the Major, which he carries to his Captain and to the offi­cers of the Troop. When there is any Detachment he commands the [Page 12]Troopers whose Rank is to march, and conducts them himself to the place of Rendezvous.

A Troop of Horse is divided into three Brigades, and over each the Captain places a Brigadeer, to take care of them. He chuses commonly for these Offices, the most ancient, stout and discreet men of the Troop. Their duty is to give the Captain and Officers notice of all that passes amongst them, and to hinder disor­ders and quarrels. When they are up­on the Guard, their function is to set the Vedetes in the places appointed to them by the Major, to place none there but sufficient men; for other­wise they might give the Alarm often without reason: instructing them in what they have to do, visiting them frequently for fear they fall asleep, and taking care to relieve them eve­ry hour. They distribute amongst the Troopers the Provisions and Fo­rage which they have received from the Quarter-Master: And their place in a March is in the first Rank.

Every Troop of Horse should have a Trumpetter, who is commonly quartered near the Captain, or with his Equipage. He takes his Orders from the Quarter-Master; and sounds to Boots and Saddle, to Horse, and to the Standard at the hour appoin­ted him: And every evening he sounds to set the Watch, so soon as the Word is given. The place of the Kettle-Drums and Trumpets in a March is at the head of the Squadron, six paces before the Commander. In the day of Battel they are upon the Wings, that they may sound the Charge or Retreat, according as they are ordered by the Majors or Aid-Majors of the Regi­ments. At the sound of Trumpet all the Troopers are to put themselves in an Equipage of War, and to make haste to the Captain's Quarters or to the Quarters of those who com­mand their Troops.

CHAP. VI. Of the Colonels of Foot.

THe Charge of Colonel General of the French Infantry has been extinct ever since the death of the Duke of Espernon. It gave an absolute power over all the Foot; Justice was executed upon them every where in his name; he named Officers, and had a Company in every Regiment, which was called the Colonels: and the Commanders of Bodies had no o­ther name but Masters de Camp: but since the suppression of that charge, they have left that Title, (which is still retained amongst the Horse) and taken the name of Colonel.

The Charge of a Colonel requires a Person of Quality that is rich, and who commands his Captains absolute­ly. And that his Regiment may be good and well entertained, he is to oblige them to take care of their [Page 15]Companies, and to make choice of good inferior Officers.

His duty is to lead his Regiment whithersoever he is commanded, and to march at the head of it, with a Haussecol or Gorget, and a Pike in hand. When he is in a Battel his Post is with the Pikes, three paces before the Captains. He ought to see in what condition his Companies are, and have them filled with good men well armed and accoutered with all that is necessary. And as there is no­thing that makes a Soldier so active and dexterous as exercising; he should command his officers to exer­cise their Companies an hour every day, and the Major the Regiment twice a week.

When the Regiment marches alone in an Enemies Country, he should as much as possibly he can, avoid Plains, and seek out covered ways, forbidding his Soldiers upon pain of death to quit their Ranks. He is to order one half of the Captains to march on the Front, and the other at [Page 16]the Rear, the Lieutenants and Sub-Lieutenants in the Divisions, the Ser­jeants on the Wings, a Lieutenant with thirty men in the Van-Guard, and another with the like number for the Rear-Guard. When he finds him­self in a Plain, and cannot avoid it, he is to fraise his Battalion; that is, to encompass the Musquetteers with Pikes, that he may defend him­self against the Horse that might at­tack him. The only means to make the Soldiers assiduous in the Regi­ment, and prevent Licentiousness, is to commaed all the Officers to abide by their Posts, and to make every Lieutenant responsable for his Divi­sion.

In the Siege of a place, the day that his Regiment is in the Trenches, he is to make a prohibition to his Sol­diers not to go out of the Camp: and having made his Detachments, he is to lead his Regiment to the place of Attack under as good a co­vert as possible he can; where he is to receive Orders from the Lieute­nant [Page 17]General, or the Marshal de Camp for the day: afterward he is to relieve the Posts, visit the Works, cause the Orders that have been gi­ven him to be punctually put in exe­cution, and take care of the woun­ded Officers; assisting them with all his power, and rendring justice to every one without emulation.

All the Regiments of Foot have their Justice, and their State-Major, made up of the Major, Aid-majors, Chaplain, Quarter-Master, Provost-Martial, his Lieutenant, Clerk, Chi­rurgeon Major, six Archers or Offi­cers, and the Executioner.

When the Question is of trying a Soldier that is criminal, the Provost-Marshal brings in the Indictment, [...]nd the Council of War is held at [...]he Colonel's Quarters.

The Colonel hath power to sus­ [...]end and arrest the Officers of his Re­ [...]iment when they have offended a­ [...]ainst the Service, but he ought im­ [...]ediately give notice thereof to Court. In the Army he hath no [Page 18]Court of Guard before his Tent, un­less he be a Brigadeer; but only [...] Sentinel of the Guard of the Camp The same thing is always observed in a place where he lies in Garrison, un­less he be Commander of it in absenc [...] of the Governor, the King's Lieute­nant; or of the Major, who h [...] Commission to command.

Colonels among themselves com­mand not according to the priority of their Commissions, as is in use a­mong the Horse; but according [...] the Rank of their Regiments. F [...] example, the Colonel of the Re [...] ­ment of Picardy being but of o [...] day's standing, will command th [...] Colonel of the Regiment of Cha [...] ­pain, who has carried the Charg [...] twenty years; because Picardy is t [...] ancientest of all the Regiments: a [...] so of the rest. The same thing is ob­served amongst the Captains and [...] ­ther Officers of Foot.

CHAP. VII. Of the Lieutenant Colonel.

EVery Regiment of Horse and Dragoons hath its Lieutenant-Colonel, who in absence of the Co­lonel commands with equal Autho­rity: But because most part of the Colonels are young Lords who want not courage, but have not all the experience that is necessary; the King hath reserved to himself the li­berty to chuse wheresoever he pleases Officers of Service, whose Valour, Conduct and Capacity has been ma­nifested on many occasions, to place [...]t the head of his Regiments as well Horse as Foot; and the chief Ca­ [...]tains are to take no exceptions [...]hereat.

A Lieutenant Colonel ought to be [...] man of Service, who hath passed [...]hrough all the degrees of Command, [...]ho hath signalized himself in dan­ [...]erous occasions, who knows the way [Page 20]of attacking and defending a place, leading on a Regiment to fight, ma­king a noble Retreat, and entrench­ing himself in a Post that he may not be baffled. The duties of his Charge are like those of the Colonel, who ought never to undertake any thing without consulting him. It is his part to see to the Discipline of the Regi­ment, and to know the worth and valour of every particular Officer: He should moreover endeavour to know all the Soldiers of the Regi­ment, to make himself both beloved and feared by them; that may be done by hearing their complaints, causing their Officers to do them ju­stice when they are wronged, and ordering them to be severely punish­ed when they have done amiss.

The Post of a Lieutenant-Colonel is on the left hand of the Colonel, three steps before the Captains, when the Regiment consists but of one Bat­talion: but when it is of more, the Colonel commands the first, and he the second. The Colonels, Lieute­nant-Colonels, [Page 21]and Commanders of Battalions are exempted from moun­ting the Guard when they are in Gar­rison in a fortified place.

CHAP. VIII. Of the Majors, and Aid-Majors of Foot.

THe Charge of Sergeant-Major is another thing in Foot than what it is in Horse, though the du­ties be not much different. A Major of Horse is always the first Captain of his Regiment, and commands it in absence of the Master de Camp; but the Major of Foot has no Company, and can pretend to no Command but after all the Captains, unless he have a particular Commission for that pur­pose.

It is the Major's duty to go every evening, and receive the Word from him that commands; and being in an Army, from the Major-General, [Page 22]or Majors of Brigades: afterward to carry it to the Camp to his Colonel, and to assemble the Serjeants of the Companies into a circle, that he may give it about amongst them. If there be any Detachments for Convoys, Guards and Parties; he is to com­mand every Company to have in readiness the number of Soldiers that have been demanded of him. He is to give notice to Officers, whose turn it is to march; and shall appoint them an hour and place of Rendez­vous, where he is to be first, that he may receive them, and lead them whither need shall require. It is his part to give the Order how and what hour the Companies should march; and if his Regiment must be in the Van Guard, Main Battel, or Rear-Guard. Being ready to depart, he is to command the Drummers to beat the Troop, he is to advertise the Ca­ptains, cause the Colours be brought out, draw up the Battalion, and is to give every Officer the Post that he must keep that day. And having [Page 23]drawn out all his Companies, he is to see them depart, that he may know if they march in good order: Before the Regiment come to Quar­ters, he ought to go and visit it, then return and draw them up, detach his Courts of Guard, give order to the Serjeants of what they are to do, and order the Companies to go to Quarters. If the Regiment encamp in the Body of an Army, he is to give each Company the Ground that hath been marked out to him, and make them place their Arms in form of a Pyramid, the Pikes apart from the Muskets, six large paces before the Huts; he shall post the Guard of the Camp about fifteen paces beyond the Battalion, and detach the other Guards which the Regiment shall be obliged to furnish. If the Regiment lodge by it self in a Quarter where there is danger, he is to barricade, entrench, or enclose it with Carts and Waggons; afterward he is to place his Guards about the Quarters, and the Sentinels so near together [Page 24]that they may hear one another speak: and is to set without the En­trenchments Sentinels, Perdues, who in case of an Alarm, having fired, are to retreat to the Court of Guard. When an Alarm is given to the Camp, the Major must come to the place of Arms of the Regiment, form his Bat­talion, send to double his Guards in the place where the Alarm is given, give notice to his Colonel, and ac­quaint the General with what occurs. No Company should enter or come out of its Post without leave from the Major, and no Order is ever altered but by him, because it is always gi­ven by the appointment of the Ge­neral or his own Colonel,

Whatsoever Ammunition is allot­ted to the Regiment, is delivered to the Major, who divides it among the Companies, and he hath the charge of providing all things neces­sary; as of sending the Sick to Ho­spitals, commanding the Provosts Marshal to furnish Waggons.

At the Attack of a place it is his [Page 25]duty to give notice to the Regiment of the day when it is to mount the Guard of the Trenches, to cause the Drums beat, to command the Officers according to their rank to send off Labourers, and Men to defend them. Being come to the Attack, he is to relieve the Posts, take Orders from the Lieutenant-General, or Marshal de Camp, what the Regiment is to do; go to the Artillery, and see the Instruments and necessary Ammuniti­on delivered out, lead the Labourers to the appointed places, and give his Colonel an account of all that passes.

In day of Battel, he is not to be on Foot in the Rank of the Captains; but on Horse-back, sometime on the Front, and sometime on the Rear, to give the Command, and execute the Orders of his Colonel.

The Major is to keep a Roll of the Rank of the Officers and Com­panies, must know the number of their Soldiers according as they have past Muster, and exercise all the Re­giments twice a Week, and especial­ly [Page 26]the Officers; teaching them the way to salute gracefully with the Pike.

It is his right to make an Invento­ry of the Moveables and Equipage of the Officers of the Regiment that die, and to sell them at auction by beat of Drum: His dues are the Sword, the Pike, the Corselet or Gorget, and a shilling in the pound of the sale of their Moveables. He is present at the Council of War, and gives his conclusions to the Process, after the same manner as the King's Proctor.

The Functions of the Aid-Majors are nothing different from the Ma­jors; and their name explains their charge. The Regiments of Foot have as many Aid-Majors as they have Battalions.

All Majors and Aid-Majors cease from Duty so soon as they enter into Garison in a place where there are o­thers established by the King.

CHAP. IX. Of a Captain of Foot.

THe Infantry hath in all times been the School of War, and they that have been desirous to per­fect themselves therein, have always begun that way. It is far more grace­ful for a young Gentleman to carry a Musket, than to serve on Horse; great Lords have shewen us the way. The Marquess of Humiers, Son to the Marshal, began; First, Ensign-Co­lonel of the King's Regiment, and is now a Captain in it. The Marquess of Ʋxel, Colonel of the Dolphin's Regiment, hath served as a Captain in the same Regiment. The Marquess of Feuquiers, Colonel of a Regiment of Foot; the Marquess of Crevam, Colonel of the Queen's Regiment; and the Marquess of Nesle Colonel of the Regiment of Monsieur the Prince, have served as Lieutenants and Ca­ptains in his Majesty's Regiment. [Page 28]The Count of Bourlemont, Colonel of the Regiment of Picardy, was al­so a Captain in the King's: the Son of the Duke of Gesvres is Ensign Co­lonel of it still. The Marquess of Genlis is Colonel of the Crown Regi­ment, having first been a Captain in it; the Marquess of Frowsle was slain at the Battel of Consarbrick, carrying the Ensign Colonel of the Regiment of Vermandois: and several others whom I could name still in actual ser­vice in the Infantry, besides those whom this profession hath raised to greater imployment. I heard Monsieur de Turenne say, when he was at the siege of Scheinkin-scance, that he won­dered to see the Hollanders defend their places so ill, being that hereto­fore all Persons of Quality sent their Children to them to learn the Art of War, and that he himself did first begin to carry a Musket there.

It is not enough for a Gentleman, if he would learn somewhat, to be at the head of a Company of foot, unless he apply himself closely to his [Page 29]employment in the manner following.

He ought always have a numerous Company of good and vigorous Souldiers, well kept in Arms and Cloaths, knowing them all by name, and understanding what every one of them in particular is capable of: it is no dishonour to him to go and visit them often in their Quarters, and to see if they be careful to keep them­selves neat.

A Company every five days has the King's Pay compleat, except a penny which the Captain keeps from them, to furnish them with Cloaths, Linnen, Shooes and Hats: it is not amiss if he lend them money himself; he thereby observes better what they want, and obliges them to keep themselves neat, and to have a care of their Cloaths: neatness is of great advantage to them, and prevents ma­ny Distempers. When there are any sick or wounded, the Captain ought to separate them from the rest, and cause them be carried to the Hospital.

The Captain has power in his [Page 30]Company to make two Serjeants, three Corporals, and five Lanspas­sades; but he cannot by his own Authority casheer them, whatever their fault may be: that depends on a Council of War. He has no power to punish a Soldier with death, un­less he rebel; and then he may kill him: but for any thing else, he can only imprison him, and deliver him to the Justice that is set over the Re­giment.

His duty is to lead his Company whithersoever his Colonel commands him, Marching himself on their head, with his Corselet, and Pike in hand. The Assiduity of Captains keeps the Soldiers in Duty: There are some now a days, who thinking it a breach of honour to march at the head of their Companies, leave them to be led by their Officers, and make their Lackeys carry their Arms. A good Captain should himself order the March of his Company either by two or four; placing the Pikes in the Rear, or in the Centre in form of a [Page 31]Battalion, taking his own Post at the Head of them, the Lieutenant at the Rear, the Sub-Lieutenant or Ensign at the head of the Pikes, and the Serjeants on the Flanks. And to lead them to the Rendezvous in this man­ner, with Drums beating.

He should exercise his Soldiers to use their Arms, teach them to put themselves into Battel-Aray, and to rally again as they were when they are broken, and to instruct them in all the motions necessary to Foot; to make their Huts or Lodgings in the Camp, and all other Exercises of War.

At the Siege of a place, when he is in the Trenches, he is to abide in the Post that has been entrusted to him, until he be releived; defen­ding it vigorously, and making the Soldiers that are committed to him fire continually. When he has the Command of the Labourers, it is his duty to make them hasten to put themselves quickly under covert, to take heed that none leave their [Page 32]Ranks, or lie on their bellies for fear, or that they may not work.

In a Garrison he is to mount the Guard at his turn in the Post that shall fall to him by lot, and not to leave it until it be relieved; often visiting and making his Rounds exactly. When he marches with the Regi­ment, his Post is one day on the Front, and the other on the Rear; never leaving it without his Colo­nel's leave, and taking special care that no Soldier leave his Rank with­out his permission.

When he marches with his Com­pany single, he is in a morning to send his Lieutenant before to their Quar­ters, make his Soldiers march all the way in good order; and about mid­way cause them to halt for the space of two hours, hindring them from straggling that they may not go pil­lage in the Villages. A Captain should never be too rough with his Soldiers, nor yet too indulgent; the one makes him hated, and the other slighted.

He must know how to make his Men fight singly, and in company; be acquainted with the advantages of Places, Arms, Time and Occasions, that he make use of them. He must apply himself to the knowledge of Fortifications, the manner of attack­ing and defending a place, how and in what manner the Works are to be carried on; to the end, that when it comes to his turn to carry on or defend a Work, he may not commit the escape of a Prentice. A Captain who understands his Profession well, [...] capable of all great Employments; And the charges of Governor, King's Lieutenant, and Major of a place are commonly given only to good Foot-Officers whom the King intends to re­ward.

CHAP. X. Of the Lieutenant, and Sub-Lieutenants.

THe Charge of a Lieutenant is [...] the same nature in Foot as [...] Horse; and seeing he commands th [...] Company in absence of the Capt [...]i [...] he ought to be as capable as himself It is his duty often to visit the Sol [...] ers, to make them do their Exe [...] [...] ­ses, and train them dayly. W [...] [...] he marches with the Company, th [...] Captain being absent, he leads it but if the Captain be present [...] keeps at the Rear, to bring it [...] When the Regiment marches in [...] [...] tel-array, every Lieutenant takes [...] [...] Post in a Division according to [...] [...] Rank; hindering the Soldiers fro [...] disbanding.

It is the Lieutenant's part to h [...] [...] an inspection into the Actions of [...] [...] Corporals and Serjeants, that he m [...] [Page 35]hold them to their duty, and make them provide what is necessary for the Company: And therefore he is not to fail to be always at the Co­lours at the hour that the Soldiers mount the Guard, to exercise them, and see if their Arms be clear and neat, and in a condition to fire, and if their Bandeleers be provided of Powder, Bullets and Match.

The Charge of a Sub-Lieutenant is new in France; formerly there were none but in the Regiments of Guard: But since the Suppression of Ensigns, the name of Under-Lieutenant or Lieutenant Reformed has been given to the third Officer of a Foot Com­pany. His Function differs in no­thing from that of a Lieutenant, but in the Command and Post, which is usually at the Division of Pikes.

The Officers of a Company ought to procure themselves the friendship of the Captain by visiting him fre­quently, rendring him all kind of ho­nour & respect, and taking special care of his Soldiers: He is reciprocally [Page 36]obliged to love, serve and assist th [...] with all his power.

The Lieutenants, Sub-Lieutenan [...]s and Ensigns of the same Regiment, command amongst themselves accor­ding to the Priority of their Recep [...] on, and not the Rank of their Com­panies.

CHAP. XI. Of the Ensign.

BEfore the Peace of Aix la Ch [...] ­pello, there was not a Foot-Company in France without an E [...] ­ [...]ign; at present there are none b [...] in the Companies of Guard, and tw [...] that are retained for every Reg [...] ­ment; one for the Colonel's Com­pany, and the other for the Lieut [...] ­nant Colonel's. However, there [...] no Battalion without three pair [...] Colours, but they are carried b [...] Lieutenants-Reformed.

The Charge of an Ensign is gentile and proper for a young Person of Quality who begins to carry Arms; and therefore he ought to get into Intimacy with the Lieutenant of his Company, that he may always learn of him something of the Trade. It is his duty to carry the Colours whi­thersoever the Company goes; whe­ther it be to an Attack, or Battel; having no respect to danger, but on­ly to the means of acquiring Honour and Glory. Entring into a place, mounting the Guard, passing in Mu­ster, or going to a Fight, he ought himself to carry his Colours on the left Shoulder. Upon a March he may give them to be carried by one of the [...]outest Soldiers. His Usual place is at the head of the Pikes; and in a Battel the Serjeant-Major places him [...]n the Rank where he ought to march; suffering himself rather to be knocked on the head, than to for­ [...]ake or lose his Colours. If his Re­giment be worsted, and he obliged to give ground, he is to tear off his [Page 38]Colours, clap them up in his pocket, and throw away the Staff; but that is not to be done but in greatest ex­tremity, and when there is no more Relief. In the day of Battel the En­sign-Colonel being killed or woun­ded, it belongs to the first Captain of the Regiment to take up the Co­lours.

Colours are never carried in De­tachments, nor when the Regime [...] goes down into the Trenches: They are to be kept with one of the gen [...] ­ral persons.

Heretofore the place of Arms of Company was before the Ensign' [...] Quarters, that is not in use now [...] days; the Soldiers gather together before the Captain's Quarters, and the Colours are carried to the Qua [...] ­ters of the Commander of the Reg­ment.

CHAP. XII. Of the Quarter-Master of a Foot-Regiment.

THere is no Foot-Regiment without a Quarter-Master, whose Charge is to lodge the Regi­ments, and to assign the Quarters to the Fouriers or Under-Quarter-Ma­sters of every Company. He goes dayly to the Quarter-Master-Gene­ral of the Army, to receive the Or­der of the Locality and Rendezvous of the Companies, and gives notice thereof to his Colonel.

When the Marshals de Camp de­part, for encamping the Army, all the Regiment-Quarter-Masters ought to [...]ttend them: And so soon as the Quarter-Master General hath allot­ [...]ed them the ground for their Camps, [...]hey divide it by Companies, and deliver it to the Fouriers. When the Regiments [...]e quartered in [Page 40]Towns or Villages, they first appoint the Quarters of the Colonels, the [...] of the Lieutenant-Colonels, Majors, Aid-Majors, of the rest of the State-Major, and their own; afterward they appoint as many Quarters as there are Companies; and make the Fouriers or Under-Quarter-Masters draw Billets for them; who chuse the best Quarters for the Captains, Lieutenants, Sub-Lieutenants and Ensigns.

CHAP. XIII. Of the Provost Marshal of a Re­giment.

THe Charge of Provost Marshal is to pursue and apprehend Deserters and Delinquents. He hath under him a Lieutenant, a Clark, six Archers or Officers, and an Executi­oner. He it is that sets Rates on the Provisions of his Quarters, and they [Page 41]cannot be sold without his permissi­on; He appoints Flesh Markets and Slaughter houses, he has the charge of causing the Camp be made clean; he brings in Inditements, interro­gates and confronts the witnesses, and the process being drawn up he car­ries it to the Major, who gives the conclusions, afterward the Colonel and Captains judge it.

On a March, the provost Mars [...]al hath the charge of bringing up the Baggage of his Regiment, and of keeping them in Order; it is his care also to furnish Waggons for carrying the Sick to Hospitals.

CHAP. IV. Of Sergeants.

IT being in the Captain's power to make Sergeants in his Company, he ought to chuse such of his Souldi­ers as he knows to be stoutest, most discreet and vigilant to fill those [Page 42]charges. It is the Sergeants place to have a Roil of the Souldiers and their Quarters, and go thither Mor­ning and Eevening to visit them. They ought to know the number of the Pikes and Musketeers, and rank their Companies, putting the best ar­med and strongest in the first Rank, making them observe Military Disci­pline, and all commands given them by their Officers, in the Field and in Garison they teach the Souldiers to handle their Arms, to keep in Rank and File; And are to receive the Pro­visions and Ammunition from the Commissary, distribute them amongst the Corporals, set the Courts of Guard and Sentinels at the places which the Majors have appointed, and visit them often. When the Company marches, their place is on the Flanks, to keep the Ranks and Files even and straight, and hinder the Souldiers from straggling or go­ing out of order, setting them right again with the Staff of their Hal­bard.

Every Evening a Sergeant of each Company should be at the place of Arms, to receive the word from the Major, and carry it afterward to the Captains and other Officers. And in this manner the Order or Word is given.

So soon as the Major is come up­on the place, the Sergeants draw near him and make a Circle accord­ing to the Rank of their Companies, beginning at his Right hand and end­ing at the Left. The Major puts on his Hat, and having recommended to them what is to be done extraor­dinarily, he gives the word as low as can be to the first Sergeant on his Right hand, who gives it about to the next and so successively untill it come to the last, who gives it back to the Major, that he may see if the word be right, and not changed.

When there is any detachment, the Sergeants acquaint their Officers with it, they command out of eve­ry Company the number of Souldi­ers, which the Major has demand­ed; [Page 44]they take care to visit the Arms, distribure amongst them necessary ammunition, and to lead them to the Rendezvous. In a Garison, e­very Sergeant by turn should go to his Captain's Quarters, to see if the Escouade commanded for the Guard be compleat, and furnished with all things necessary.

After the Retreat or Tattoe, the Sergeants should go through the Lodgings to see if all the Souldiers be come in, give an account to the Captain of the absent and sick, and to acquaint the Major that he may cause them be carried to the Hospi­tal.

The Sergeants of the Regiments of Guard being in Garison with o­ther Regiments, have the priviledge to make a Circle apart to receive the Word, because of the honour they have in serving in the King's Guards.

CHAP. XV. Of Corporals, Lanspassades, and other inferiour Officers of a Company.

THE King entertains in every Companie, three Corporals, and five Lanspassades.

The duty of a Corporal is to com­mand his Escouade, to teach his Soldiers all that is necessary for them to know or do, to hinder Quarrels and Disorders, and acquaint the Captain with them, because he cannot beat, but only punish them by keeping them long at their senti­nel post. He is to have a Role of his Escouade, tell the Souldiers what day they are to mount the Guard, view their Arms and Bandeleers, give them out the Provisions and Ammu­nition which the Sergeant hath deli­vered to him, and to know who are best experienced that he may place [Page 46]them Sentinels and set them on the most important duties. When he is on the Guard, it is his duty to set the Sentinels in the places which the Major hath shewed him, and to re­lieve them himself; To send Lan­spassades to visit them, and to ex­pect the Rounds and Counter­tounds, who are to give him the Word: He ought to charge the Sen­tinels to suffer no body to approach them, though it were the General of the Army himself, without present­ing the Pike, or Musket with a cock'd March; nor to leave their Post un­less relieved by the Corporal, or for­ced by the Enemy, then they may retire to the Court of Guard, and the Court of Guard being forced may retire to the Camp.

The Corporal is to cause respect to be payed to the Court of Guard, and command silence whether it be at the Gates or on the Walls, that the noise may not hinder the Advertise­ments of the Sentinels from being heard. He is to walk before his [Page 47]Court of Guard, or appoint a Lan­spassade to do it, he is always to keep fire for Lighting the Matches, and take care to have the Court of Guard furnished with Wood, Coal, and Candle. In a Garison whil'st the Drums beat to Guard, all the Corporals go to the Majors Quar­ters, that they may there draw lots for the Posts and Rounds.

Heretofore the Lanspassades were dismounted Troopers who were made serve in the Foot during the Campain, until their Captains gave them other Horfes; they ease the Corporals and are as their Lieute­nants: In times of danger they go the perilous Rounds, and are Senti­nels Perdues, otherways they are freed from duty.

The Fourier ought to have a List of all the Soldiers of a Company, and make the distribution of Quar­ters. He takes his Quarter from the Regiment Quarter Master, then he marks out the Quarters of the Cap­tain, Lieutenant, Sublieutenant. En­sign, [Page 48]Sergeants, the Drummer's and his own, and puts all the rest into Billets, which he makes the Corpo­rals draw by Lot, who distribute them amongst the Souldiers.

Every Company should have a Surgeon, commonly called Frater, to dress the Sick and Wounded, and shave the Souldiers, being as a Mate to the Surgeon Major of the Regi­ment: He ought to make Provision of Medicaments proper to stop Bleeding, hinder Inflammation and ease Pains.

There is no Company but hath one or two Drummers, and a Drum-Major over all, who hath the care of instructing the rest, and guarding the Enemies Drummers that come in­to the Camp. He can with his Ba­ton punish those that fail in their du­ty, and goes Evening and Morning to the Major to receive his Orders. The Drummers duty is to beat all Points, as the General, the Call or Gathering, the Dernier, the March, the Allarm, the Parly, the An­swer [Page 49]to Parleys, the Reveilly, the Tattoe and the Bans.

The Soldier ought to be stout, strong, a good Husband, and obedi­ent to all his Officers, from the Cap­tain to the Lanspassades. He should study to keep himself neat, to make his Arms bright and clean; to know how to use them, the Soldier's du­ties, the motions of his Company, its March; to lodge himlelf in the Field, keep his Guard and Sentinel-Post, to understand the Beat of Drum, and to be diligent to come to his Co­lours. His eating and sleep should be regulated according to his leisure, and not his pleasure.

CHAP. XVI. Of the way of forming a Batta­lion.

WHen a Colonel on any occasi­on would have his Regi­ment to be in Arms, he sends his Ma­jor [Page 50]to the place of Rendezvous, to draw up the Companies as fast as they arrive there; who puts first the Co­lonel's Company in Battalia, six men deep, distant three large paces from one another, and places the Pikes on the left hand of the Musketteers. The other Companies draw up ac­cording to the first. All being post­ed the Major commands silence, and orders fix Serjeants to mark the half Ranks, that he may make the Pikes enter into the Centre of the Musket­teers, by this word of Command.

The Musketteers of the Colonel's Company stand still, the right hand half Rank of Pikes turn to the Left, the Musketteers to the Right; the left hand half rank of Pikes, turn to the Right, the Musketteers to the Left, and march both together through the Intervals of the Ranks, till the Pikes come to the Centre of the Battalion separated from the Mus­ketteers, and the Musketteers on the Right and Left separated from the Pikes. When they have performed that Motion, the Major reduces them as they were by this word of Com­mand.

CHAP. XVII. Of Exercising.

WHen the Regiment is in Bat­talia, if the Colonel intend to see them exercise, he gives notice to the Major; who makes them o­pen their Files one pace, giving there­by the Soldiers the liberty of the arm to handle their Arms. This is the word of Command he gives,

All the Soldiers turn to the Lest, the lest hand File begins to march, and the others move not from their places, until they see those that go before them at a paces distance. The Soldiers in marching are to have care to keep in a straight line by their Right hand-man and File-leader. When the Major perceives that the Files are sufficiently opened, he says to them,

All things thus disposed, the Ma­jor gives the word of Command to the Serjeants.

Then he gives this word of Com­mand [Page 55]to the Officers who are at the head of the Battalion.

The words of Command in Exer­cising.

The Soldiers are to have a care to make no motion until the word of Command be given and ended, to the end that the handling of Arms and the motions may be done at the same time.

CHAP. XVIII. Of Detachments.

A Detachment is a certain num­ber of Officers and Soldiers which the General makes every Re­giment furnish, to be imployed as he thinks convenient. The detach­ments are made by Companies that the Fatigue or Loss which may hap­pen may be divided amongst them.

Two or three Thousand men de­tached from an Army, are command­ed by a Brigadeer, and other Offi­cers proportionably.

To Eight hundred men there is re­quired a Colonel, a Lieutenant-Co­lonel [Page 73]an Aid-Major, sixteen Captains, as many Lieutenants, as many Sub­lieutenants or Ensigns, and thirty two Serjeants.

A Lieutenant Colonel has four or five thousand men allowed him; with other Officers and Serjeants pro­portionably.

A Captain never marches in a De­tachment without fifty Soldiers, a Lieutenant, a Sublieutenant or an Ensign and two Sergeants.

A Lieutenant has but thirty men and one Serjeant. A Sublieutenant Twenty five men and a Sergeant; and the Ensigns march not but with Captains; a Serjeant is usually com­manded out with ten or twelve Men, and sometimes he is allowed fifteen.

The detachments which are com­mauded by Masters de Camp consist of three or four hundred Troop­ers: Those of Captains of Light Horse of fifty, those of Lieutenants of thirty, those of Cornels of twen­ty, those of Quarter Masters of fif­teen, and those of Brigadeers of ten or twelve Troopers.

When an Entrenchment is to be forced, a close or covered way carri­ed, a Half Moon gained, or an Assault to be made; there is a Detachment made out of several Companies of good Soldiers, who are commonly called the Forlorn Hope, because they ought to fall on first, and make a Passage for the rest. An Attacque is always begun by a Sergeant with ten men, seconded by a Lieutenant with thirty, backed by a Captain, A Lieutenant, a Sublieutenant or an Ensign with fifty, who are followed by all the Regiment.

Detachments of many Officets are always made by the Front and Rear: For instance if a Regiment be obli­ged to furnish four Captains, the Ma­jor shall command two from the Front, and two from the Rear: The same is observed in respect of Lieute­nants, Sublieutenants and Ensigns.

Detachments for the Guard of General Persons are never made by Brigades, but by every Regiment in particular to which that honour be­longs. [Page 75]The first Regiment of the Army furnishes the Generals Guard; the second the Lieutenant Generals, the third that of the General Person who comes next, and so the rest in Order.

CHAP XIX. Of the March of a Regiment.

WHen a Regiment is to leave a Quarter, the Major gives notice of it to the Serjeants of Ar­tillery and gives Orders to the Drummers to beat the Troop or to March next Morning two Hours be­fore day, that the Soldiers may have time to make ready.

The Regiment Quarter-Master goes and receives Orders of the Com­mander, and departs with the Fou­riers or Company-Quarter-Masters, two or three houers before the Regi­ment, to take up the Quarters in the [Page 76]place where the Regiment is to lodge.

The Provost Marshal gathers to­gether the Baggage and sends it a­way before the Regiment, when there is no danger of an Enemy, taking upon himself the care of con­ducting it.

The Major ought over night to command a Serjeant with ten men to depart next Morning by Break of Day, and Post himself on the Rode by which the Regiment is to March, to hinder any Soldier from going be­fore the rest without an Order from his Officer in writing.

When all things are disposed and the Major is informed by the Com­mander of the hour when the Companies should March, he com­mands the Drummers to beat the Ga­thering or Call. At the bea [...]ing of the Call the Soldiers should assemble before their Captains Lodgings; and so soon as the Dernier is beat, the Officers command the Soldiers to their Arms, and lead them in good [Page 77]Order to the place of Rendezvous, where the Major takes care to re­ceive them, and draw them up in Battalia according as they come, the Battalion being formed, he cau­ses a Proclamation to be published in the Kings name, whereby the Soldi­ers are forbidden to leave their Ranks on Pain of bodily Punish­ment; then he makes a Detachment of ten men commanded by a Serje­ant, which he leaves for a Rear Guard to bring up the Straglers; and having put the Officers in their Posts, he makes the Regiment file off by four or six at most, by reason of the ways, there being no necessity to make them march cross the Fields.

The Drummers march about twenty Paces before the Battalion, with their Drums on their Backs, ex­cept one that beats, who is to be re­lieved every League.

The Lieutenants and Sublieuto­nants should have a care that no Sol­dier go out of his Division, unless [Page 78]it be for the necessity of nature, if so, he is to leave his Musket or Pike with his Comrade, and a Serjeant is charged to wait on him, and place him again into his Rank.

About mid way the Commander shall make his Regiment halt for the space of two hours, chusing for that purpose a place were there is Wa­ter, and at a distance from Villa­ges.

When the Regiment is near their Quarters, the Quarter-Master who ought already to have lodged the equipage, comes with the Fouriers to meet them, and gives the Colo­nel an account of the condition of the Quarters. The Major com­mands the Colours to be displayed, and the Matches Lighted, he divides the Drummers, and makes the Regi­ment enter in good Order into the Quarter as far as the place of Arms, where he draws it up in Battalia: He establishes a Court of Guard to hinder disorders in the Night time, he causes the Colours to be convey­ed [Page 79]to the Commanders Quarters, and sets a Sentinel at his door; he orders next the Serjeants to come and re­ceive the Word at a certain hour in the Evening, and the Drummers to beat the Tattoe; he sends off a Ser­jeant to guard the Magazin, where Provisions are distributed; and ha­ving provided every thing, he sends the Companies to the Quarters allot­ted them. The Commander every Evening gives the Major Orders for the next day's March.

CHAP. XI. Of a Council of War.

THe Council of War of the Ar­my meets always at the Gene­ral's Lodgings or Tent; and none are called to it but the Lieutenant-Generals, the Marshals de Camp, the Brigadeers, and sometimes the Co­lonels or the Commanders of Bodies, [Page 80]when the matters concern their Re­giments.

Private Councils of War are held at the Governours Quarters in a place of Garrison; in a Camp, at the Colonel of the Regiment his Tent, who gives notice to the Captains to be present. When all are met, the Governour, or Colonel, or he that Commands, takes his place at the head of the Table, the Captains sit about according to their Seniority; that is to say, the first Captain on the right hand of him that presides, the second on the left, and so of the rest; and the Major, who discharges the Office of the King's Proctor or Solici­ter, sits at the lower end of the Table. The Lieutenants, Sub-Lieutenants and Ensigns have right to enter into the Chamber where the Council is held; but they stand at the Captains backs with their hats off, and have no Vote.

If the Council be called to delibe­rate on some matter of consequence; the President having opened it to the [Page 81]assembly, asks their Opinions.

The youngest Captain begins and gives his, and the rest in Order till it come to the President, who pro­nounces last. The Clark having set down the opinions of every one, draws up the result conform to the pluralitie of Votes, which he gives to be signed by the President and Captains.

If the Council be held to Judge a Criminal, the Officers that are cal­led to it should come fasting, and having first heard Mass, if they can; Every one having taken his place; and the Clark having read the Infor­mations, Reexamination, Confron­tation, and Interrogatory; The Pre­sident causes the Criminal to be brought unto the Council, where he makes him sit down on the Foot­stool, questions him about all the Facts whereof he is accused, and sends him back to Prison. Then the Clark reads over the conclusions of the Ma­jor, and every one Judges according to his Conscience and the Ordinan­ces [Page 82]of the King. The Sentence is fra­med conform to the plurality of Votes, and is pronounced to the Criminal in the name of the Council of War.

When the Criminal is condemued to any Punishment; the Provost Mar­shal causes the Sentence to be put in Execution, and the Major calls to­gether the Companies to be Present thereat. Before a Soldier be delive­red to the Executioner to be punish­ed for any Crime that carries infamy with it, he ought to be publickly de­graded from his Arms by the Major.

The Council of War should never consist of fewer than seven Officers: When there are not Captains enough to make up that number the Inferi­our Officers are called even to the Serjeants.