Moving 17th Century Soldiers
 

 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.

Should the enemy come within 50 meters of the pike, then musketeers should provide fire from alongside the pike, as illustrated. Should the enemy be so close that the pike are compelled to assume a charge posture, musketeers should provide fire no closer to the front than the pike rank of half file leaders, as illustrated.

*Chapt. 74, Military Discipline...

Sergeant Subtlelus says:
While the musketeers are so engaged, pikemen may leave their pikes shouldered (especially if horse presents no threat).  During exchanges of musket fire, shouldered pikes are less liable than advanced pikes to being struck and broken by bullets flying at random.  Should the enemy come to a distance of eight score feet or less, pikemen should advance their pikes and close their ranks to Order.  With the enemy so proximate, musketeers out in front are in peril and the commanding officer should have the musketeers withdraw to continue shooting alongside the pike division.