hm_jollies | Of Soldiers

From A military treatise... by J. MacIntire

When Recruits embark, there is a great deal to be taught them besides their Exercise. It is the Duty of the Officers to regulate their private Conduct, and oblige them to abstain from Drinking, Gaming, Thieving, Lying &c. and be obedient to Command.

Though the Choice of Men does not depend on the Officers on board, I shall here give a Description of a Soldier's Person, which every young Officer should study, that he may be a proper Judge of well-made Men:
Vauban, traite de la Guerre en general, Tom II, Page 118.
"As to the Choice of Soldiers, we are to supposed the Colonel to be the Director, the Height of a Man is not to be regarded; provided a Soldier is straight in his Limbs, firm and broad-shouldered, though but five Feet five Inches, he may serve. When in Battalion, the little Man, who stands firm and well under Arms, will give more Pleasure to an Officer, than a Rank of tall aukward Fellows, who march badly, with their Chins down on their Breasts, as if they had not Strength to support them; instead of which the little Man strives to appear taller than he is, and marches firm, with Head erect, which gives him a more Soldier-like Aspect. No one can deny that a Man of a moderate Size is commonly as brave as a tall Man; but we are not to chuse him before a tall well-made Fellow, when we can find him."

Cadet, page 95

"A Soldier should be brave, vigorous, careful and obedient to all his Officers, from the General to the Corporal, and obey the orders of the latter, as if coming from the Mouth of the former, as in reality they do; the Corporal being only the Means by which they are conveyed: He should take Care that his Uniform, as well as other Apparel, be neat and clean, his Arms and Accoutrements bright and in good Order, the Use of which he ought diligently to study, and also his different Duties: He should be master of all the beats of the Drum, and on the Instant obey them: When Centinel, he should be alert, and observe his orders exactly and inviolably; ask no Reasons for them, or dare to think them of little Importance. The Excuse of a Soldier convicted of quitting or sleeping on his Post, frequently is, that he thought no Accident or bad Consequence could attend it. How absurd! the Necessity of his being there posted is evident by his being ordered there, he may have Things in his Charge which the Officer did not think proper to inform him of; it was in his orders, let that suffice

A Soldier must give the greatest Attention to the Articles of War when he hears them read: He must remember the oaths he has taken in His Majesty' Service, and the divine Vengeance that will attend the Violation of them, so that he must never think of Desertion. When he has Cause to complain of any ill treatment, he must represent his Case to his Commanding officer, whose Duty it is to do him Justice.

A good soldier will always perform his Duty with Chearfulness, and think it an honour to serve the King. He must have a great Share of Ambition, learn to despise Danger, and choose to fall like a brave Man, rather than be tainted with the name of Coward

Cadet, Page 101:

"We should instil in the Heart of a Soldier, that Obedience is the Foundation of Regularity and Order, that by this Discipline is maintained, by this great Designs are executed; and without it, all is Confusion and Disorder."