Practical Manual of Artillery

the aforementioned follow the wagons, with the cauria a type of heavy cart or supply wagon, and the winches, with the pulleys, ropes, and levers; and after that a jack with the crossbeams, and other instruments for mounting; and after these also follows the light artillery, such as Falconets, and half Sakers, and Sakers; and after these, in turn, follows all the heavy artillery of the army. However, in the middle of this artillery formation, it is necessary to place another winch and another cauria, to be able to use it from behind; and after the heavy artillery, he shall have the wagons of ammunition and provisions march, with a good guard of infantry and light cavalry. Consequently, after this formation, go the wagons of the armory and the artillery workshop, with the boatmen, caulkers, sailors, and all the other people and machines that are accustomed to being led in the state of the artillery. In the meantime, the Gentlemen of the artillery, with the bombardiers and assistants, will each go around the pieces that are entrusted to them, to see if there is something to fix and repair around them, and to forbid the arquebusier soldiers from going around the gunpowder ammunition. And if by chance the General has a suspicion of being assaulted in the rearguard, then, for good precaution, he should have some field artillery pieces placed there, to be able to resist any enemy action. At the time when the army crosses a river, or lodges, or dislodges the camp in haste, then the artillery faces the greatest inconvenience and danger, because in those times (for the most part) everyone attends to crossing the river safely, or to lodging with greater comfort, and then the cautious enemy prepares ambushes and deceits, to be able to achieve his intent. To all which dangers and inconveniences, the astute and prudent General of the Artillery must provide with great ingenuity and total diligence, always having laziness as a capital enemy. Because rarely in the actions of the militia is a minimal error or negligence committed, without the penance and punishment immediately following the negligent person who was the cause of it. And as in the progress of this work the General of the Artillery will be able to be instructed in particular on every minimal occurrence concerning his office, it would be superfluous (in my opinion) to say more than what has been said in this place.

Of those things which in particular touch upon the provision of the General of the Artillery, and of all persons of office and service, who are subject to his dominion in time of war, with the salaries that each of them earns. Which in armies is commonly called the state of the Artillery. Chap. II.

A decorative floral drop cap 'H'.

HAVING in the previous chapter generally spoken of the office of the General of the Artillery, and of the way of offending and defending with it; in the present chapter, it is treated in particular of all those offices, officials, and men of office and service, who serve near the person of the General in an army, and of all the salaries that are paid to each of them, and of those also, which are paid to the horses, carters, and other conductors of the artillery and ammunition, which are conducted in an army in time of war, and this according to what the Imperial Majesty of the great Emperor CHARLES V used to pay in all the wars of Africa, Italy, Germany, France, Guelders, and Hungary, and nowadays the most Christian and most powerful PHILIP II, King of Spain, pays in his armies to those who serve in the state of the artillery. Of which state, up until now, there is no news that it has ever been administered with such order and greatness by any other Christian Prince, as by these two that we have mentioned. From which manner of ordering the state of the artillery, all the Princes of the world will be able to extract the style and norm to be able to use it in any enterprise. And even if not all Potentates can make such large expenses, nor pay so many offices, nor officials, as were in the aforementioned armies, they will at least be able to be fully informed of which and how many men of office and service, how many wagons and horses, and other things are needed in the state of the Artillery, and by also moderating the salaries, each of them can use it for their own needs.

Firstly, to the General of the Artillery belongs the power and authority to command all the officials and men of office and service, who administer the state of the artillery, and they have to obey and respect him, as the person of the Prince himself, or as the same