The Drumme in the 30 Years War

Here are some quotes from the book "Monro, His Expedition with the Worthy Scots Regiment Called Mac-Keys", written in 1637 as part history of the Regiment in the 30 Years War, part instruction for "all worthie Cavaliers favouring the laudable profession of Armes."

Part of "our Fight at Leipsigh"

"... but the smoake being great, the dust being raised, we were as in a darke cloude, not seeing the halfe of our actions, much less discerning, either the way of our enemies, or yet the rest of our Briggads: whereupon, having a drummer by me, I caused him beate the Scots March, till it cleered up, which recollected our friends unto us, and dispersed our enemies being overcome; so that the Briggad coming together, such as were alive missed their dead and hurt Camerades."

"the exercising of the Squadron of Pikes"

"Your Squadron of Pikes as they ought to march with the Drumme; so they ought to obey the Drumme beating a Troope, a Charge, a Call, a Retreate. As also to traile their Pikes, to make reverence with the Pike being shouldred: and your Squadron of Pikes being but six deepe in Rancke, your Files may be so many, as can well heare your voyce in Command, providing there be no odd File; and thus well orderd at their open order of six foote distance, command to mount their Pikes, then calling for a Drumme beside you, let him beate a march, then they are to shoulder their Pikes, flat or slaunt carried, and then to marcha little, let your Drumme againe beate a Troope, then they mount their Pikes and troope away fast or slow, as your passe leades them stopping, or advancing as you doe, then let your Drumme beate a Charge, then they charge their Pikes and advance fast or slow, as you lead them, and retire also backwards, their Pikes charged as you will have them, then troope againe, and they mount their Pikes, march and shoulder; and halting, let the Drumme beate againe, and they order their Pikes on the ground as first, being at their distance, and trooping againe they mount their Pikes, so that you can command them to Battell order or closse order, for Wheeling or Counter-marching at your owne pleasure."

"The forty-two Observation; being the last."

"To conclude then this Observation; since God hath made me poore by the want of my Friends, I finde no other remedie, but to inrich my selfe in being content with his will; being perswaded, as they have gone the way before me, I must needs follow, and then others by my example must learne to be contented to want me: And though I leave them poore, they can be rich in God being content; For, we are neither rich nor poore by what we possesse, but by what we desire."

-Peter Bringe

 Memor!