The compleat body of the art military ... divided into three books, the first containing the postures of the pike and musket ... the second comprehending twelve exercises ... the third setting forth the drawing up and exercising of regiments ... illustrated with varietie of figures of battail ... / by Richard Elton.

CHAP. XXXVIII. Of Inversion and Conversion.

NOt to omit any thing which may be beneficiall for the knowledge of all them that intends to be good proficients in this Art of Military Discipline, my subject in this Chapter shall be of Ranks filing, and files, filing, and ranks, ranking, and files ranking, which are by some called Inversion, and Conversion; yet seldome mentioned by any Leader in the time of his Exercise, for this reason, as I suppose, because the souldiers for the most part are unacquainted with them; which causeth all our Leaders in our private Meetings here in London, to deliver forth unto their Souldiers such words of command as may readily and aptly be understood by them, which are ranks, file to the right or left, or files, file to any hand, which is no other then Inversion, and again ranks, rank to the right or left, either in equal or unequal parts, or intire to the front or files to rank in the like kinde may be termed Conversion: And, in my opinion, they do the better that shall thus express themselves to the capacity of every Souldier, then for to pusle them with the words Inversion and Conversion. I intend therefore without curiosity plainly to set downe their severall commands, directions, and reducements, keeping my former method, concern∣ing

doublings. For in all and every one of them, they do either double the length or depth of the Front, Reer, Midst, or Flanks; no part of the Military Exercise affording more plenty of matter then they, carrying always along with them many things of excellent use. For ex∣ample, suppose a Prince, Generall, or any other person of quality were to pass thorow the Company, a discreet Commander would presently command their ranks to invert, or file to the right and left inward, which immediatly becomes (as it were a Street or Gallery, for the honouring and securing of their persons. Moreover, it is of use for the lodging of the Colours, or upon funerall occasions, or taking their leave from their Captain, where they may poure forth their volley's of shot all at one and the same time. To be short, being necessita∣ted to march against a battery, it avoids the danger of the great Ordnance, and likewise se∣cures the front of the Battalia, from the imminent danger of any great shower of small shot poured forth by the Enemy. As likewise it is of excellent use to march over a narrow Bridge, or thorow a Lane, Thicket, or Salliport, or such like difficult passages; or if any Commander have a desire to use ancient figures, by it he may make the Saw, Sheers, or Diamond; or be∣ing in one file, they may aptly be drawn into a Ring, where hee that is an able posture man standing in the midst, may shew unto them their severall postures, and after easily reduce them again, and thus much briefly of Inversion, or ranks filing.

Next come we to shew the excellent uses and services which may be performed by Con∣version, as first perceiving any man of worth to stand before the front of the battail, or to pass by either of the flanks, then ranks, ranking, or files ranking into the front, or ranks wheel∣ing to either of the flanks, by these commands the souldiers aspects are thither brought to pre∣sent unto him a volley of shot. It is likewise very usefull for the making of a Line against a Brest-work, or lining of hedges, carrying it self severall ways secretly to lye in Ambuscado, whereby they may fire upon the Enemy as he marcheth by. Or approching against any Fort or place of danger, they may daringly make a large front, and firing upon them, after filing to the right or left, making large intervalls, they much preserve themselves from the danger of the great shot proceeding from the Enemy. Again, ranks ranking either in equall, or un∣equall parts is of singular good use upon a narrow passage, where they can march but 2, 3, 4, or 6 a Brest; the Commander, notwithstanding, they marched before 20 a Brest, may by it bring them to such small numbers, whereby hee may much preserve them in time of imminent danger and perill. To dwell no longer upon this discourse, Inversion and Conver∣sion, many times requres larger distance then any other of the Motions, as sometimes double distance or twice double distance, wherefore being so many occasions for the use of them both, I hold it requisite for a Leader frequently to practise his souldiers in them, no part of the Art Military, affording more commendations to the Souldiers that shall readily and handsomly perform the same. Briefly, therefore, passing over what might be more spoken con∣cerning them. I shall in the next place set them all forth in their full view, leaving every dis∣creet Souldier to his own liberty, to make use of as many of them as hee shall think fit, and to use them after what manner he pleaseth.