Home Roles - Pikeman Event Calendar Members |
Henry Hexam Principals of the Art Militaire 1637- Officers of a Company of foot
Duties of a CorporalEvery company is divided into three squadrons, and every squadron has his Corporal and Lanspresado, he is the head of the squadron and ought to be an honest & able man, and sufficient to discharge his duty, sober. modest, and peaceable. He is first to have a squadron, and when any new soldiers are entertained, he is to mock, or jeers the younger, if they do not their postures as they ought: seeing that everyman in every science, and profession must have a time of learning, before he can perfect, and if he does not well, he ust go over and over again with them patiently, until such time as he has made a good musketeer, or a pike, for which he shall get commendations of his Captain, and his other officers. In marching either in his squadron, or company the eldest Corporal is to lead the right hand file of the musketeers, the second corporal the left hand file, and the third in the midst of the division. Being with his squadron upon guard, he is to provide them wood, coals, and candle light, to keep a continual fire day & night. Having an outguard, he shall does his best endeavour to strengthen as much as in him lieth, his little corps de guard, and set out his sentinels according to the avenues, or comings of the enemy: for the cutting off of a sentinel, and the surprising of a corps de guard, is of great importance, and may endanger sometimes the overthrow of an army. And therefore it behoves a Corporal to be very careful and vigilant, and to visit his sentinels often, to give them charge to look well about them, to relieve them duely, and not to suffer them to stand too long, especially in cold weather. His duty also is not to forget the word, but to imprint it in his memory, when the Captain of the watch goes the first round, he shall with his sword drawn against his breast give it to him., and so receive such orders from him, as he shall command him. And afterwards when the round come again, he shall cause the rounder, or gentleman with his sword drawn to give him the word, before he let him pass, and if upon his guard, himself, or his sentinels should hear, see, or discover any men, or light matches, to have his men in readiness with bullets in their muskets, and their match lighted, and to come in silently to give his superior officers intelligence thereof, that they provided before the alarm be given, to resist an enemy, and to defend the guard. To conclude, he is to distribute powder, bullets, & match out to his squadron, and to have a care, that they keep their arms neat and clean, and not suffer the holy name of God to be prophaned, or taken in vain upon his guard.
|
|
Discussion Forum 
Regimental Facebook