[A. Tomsinov]

I know that caracole had enough discussion here, but there is one more thing I'd like to ask. Does anyone have quotes on caracole that Delbruck said he found in Tavannes and Popeliniere?

http://books.google.ru/books?id=MsBMpfMVp-AC&...CCsQ6AEwAA

Of course, Tavannes has this description - « Les cavaliers, rangés en escadrons massifs de 15 ou 16 rangs s’approchent de l’ennemi, puis arrivés à portée de tir, le premier rang se détache, tire et tourne à gauche pour aller recharger, découvrant le second qui fait de même, et tous les autres à leur tour. » But did he write about actual battles? For example, was there a caracole at Moncontour?

Or maybe someone has other quotes from firsthand accounts of 16th century battles where caracole actually took place? (We all remember that this word was used in another meaning, but I am referring to it in 19th century understanding).

It seems quite difficult to find real description of cavalry shooting pistols by changing ranks if you ignore general advise and critic of that tactics in manuals and treatises. Probably more often we can find pistol shots before charge into melee or before turning away from melee when the enemy remains resolute (but initial intention being to melee, not just to shoot and turn), or shooting from a standstill with mix of pistols and carbines.

Best regards,
Anton