Firing and Advancing By Introduction |
| Commands: several in sequence, the first being "Musketeers, make ready to give fire by Introduction!" - see animation Colonel Barriffe does not provide specific commands for the two variants of this method, only descriptions. He is not enthusiastic about it, however, stating: "...but sure I am, it is over-ballanced with danger. As for such whom I have seen practice it, they have used it for variety, in a well-experienced Company, than for any known excellency it hath in it self."*
One consequence of this procedure is that the unit has brought itself in the 'Horne-Battel' formation, as illustrated at the right. Colonel Barriffe remarks of this formation: "... by some held more serviceable, because that the Musquettiers do their execution more roundly... and keep themselves without stragling from their Bodies. Besides, the Wings of Musquettiers, being so advanced, are ... more easily to be wheeled, whereby to charge the Enemy in flank..."** There are, of course, additional ways to make the 'Horne-Battel.' Colonel Barriffe does not mention the musketeers filing forward between pikemen for Introduction, nor vice versa. While such may work for short files, moving musketeers ahead of pike while both are in long columns could become awkward. *Chapt. 77, Military Discipline... |
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Should
the commander elect not to conclude the exercise in the Horn-Battel
formation but instead to resume the formation as it was, the pikemen
as a single division may either slowly step forward to stay apace
with each rank of firing musketeers, or they may march forward to be
even with the leading rank of musketeers after their firing has
ceased. The former may be prudent should horse menace.
