I have translated and edited the first edition of Louis de Gaya's work L'Art de la Guerre from 1677. It is very much an instruction book for officers and men of all ranks in how to carry out their duties, but it does include sections on the infantry, cavalry and artillery, as well as infantry drill, plus some information on tactics and the defence and attack of fortresses. As a former officer in the regiment Champagne, it obviously concentrates on French practice in the 1670s. It is attached below as a PDF (just click on the link) for anyone who would like to read it. Feel free to download it as well for your own use. I would welcome any feedback.

Gaya's The Art of War

Apologies to anyone who tried to use the link, I forgot to add access to anyone! It should work fine now.

The Trumpeter's Call.

 

Cavalry trumpeter c. 1650

(courtesy www.alamy.com)

Following on from drummer's calls, here are the French trumpeter's calls for the 1670s I have managed to find some information on:

“Bouteselle” - "boots and saddles” -  to get dressed and gather up equipment and tack.

“À cheval” - “to horse” - to mount up.

“À l’étendard” - “to the standard” - to assemble around the company standard.

“Le guet” - "the watch" - to go on guard duty.

“Le retraite” - "the retreat" - to mark the end of the day in garrison.

“La marche” – “the march” - to gather the men together when dispersed.

“La charge” – “the charge” - for a mounted attack.

“La sourdine” – “the mute” - to march quietly.

On the march, the trumpeter was at the head of the squadron, six paces in front of its captain. In battle, they were on the flanks of the squadron.

Some French mounted regiments had also acquired kettledrums by this date, usually having captured them from Imperial cavalry regiments where they were in common use. They took up a position alongside the trumpeter. Dragoon regiments had drummers like the infantry, along with fifes; foot regiments might also have oboes and bagpipes, the latter known as "musetes", which were common in rural France.