Firing by Two Ranks, Advanced Before the Front |
Commands: several in sequence, the first being: "Musketeers, foremost two ranks march on to this ground." The two ranks of musketeers may advance ten or twenty paces, perhaps less, however far the officer considers effective "...to do certaine execution."* By the time the first rank fires, musketeers of the second rank already have "... their matches cockt and pannes guarded, that so they may levell and fire as soon as their [file] leaders are clear of them...." After the first rank has fired, it is "...to martch close down in single file, within three foot of their own flanks, until they come to the reer of their own divisions..." As they do that, the second rank fires. In this way, two volleys are given in rapid succession. Then the next two ranks step up quickly. Although not mentioned by Colonel Barriffe, only a minor adjustment would have to be made in the commands to have the two ranks at the fore give a salvee.
*Chapt. 74, Military Discipline... |
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