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. XLI. Files ranking into the Front by Wheeling.

Command. FIles, rank to the right into the Front by wheeling.

Direction. Face to the right, and wheel to the left, untill they stand * 1.1 even a Brest in one intire Rank in the Front.

Reducement. Rank, file six to the left by wheeling; face all to the Reer, and the first six men then upon the right, wheel to the right, and so consequently all the rest wheeling by sixes to the right; their Leaders that were before, being the hinges of the motion, and after face to their Leader.

Command. Files, rank to the left into the Front by wheeling.

Direction. Face to the left, and wheel to the right, untill they make all one intire Rank in the Front.

Reducement. Rank, file six to the right by wheeling; face to the Reer, and the six out-most men upon the left, wheel to the left, the next six are to follow, and consequently all the rest, untill they have made 12 Files as at the first, and after face to their Leader.

Command. Files, rank outward into the Front by wheeling.

Direction. Right and left half-ranks close into the midst to order, and face outward, wheeling to the right and left, untill you are one intire Rank.

Reducement. Rank, file six to the right and left inward by wheeling, face about to the right, and the 12 middle-most men are to wheel to the right and left inward, and the rest are likewise to do the same by sixes, untill they have made themselves into 12 files, after face to their Leader.

Command. Files, rank inward into the front by wheeling.

Direction. Right and left half-ranks open from the midst to twice double distance, af∣ter face inward, and wheel to the right and left inward, untill they are all in one rank in the front.

Reducement. Rank, file six to the right and left out-ward, face all about, and wheel by sixes to the right and left, the Leaders being the hinges of the Motion, after face to the front, and right and left half-ranks may close into the midst again to their double distance.

Here endeth ranking into the front, with all their severall kinds, the Reer challengeth the next place, but I shall spare the pains, and labour to set them down, in regard that he who hath a mind to rank his men thither, may if he pleaseth make use of all the former words of Command for the performance of the same, facing them upon every Command to the Reer. I come, therefore, in the next place only to mention the ranking into the midst by Ranks and Files, which may likewise be performed by the former words of Command, provided they have convenient distance, and be faced to the midst, and after the Command is executed, to face them to their first front. Yet there is remaining a ranking unto all these places at once, for the performance of which, observe these few words of Command follow∣ing.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Files are to be at double distance, and Ranks at close order.