The compleat body of the art military in three books : I. The postures of the pike and musket ..., II. Twelve exercises ..., III. The drawing up and exercising of regiments after the manner of private companies ... : also, the duties of all souldiers and officers ... / by Richard Elton ... ; to which is added a supplement comprehending these particulars, I. the duties and qualifications of all officers belonging to an army .., formerly written by Capt. Tho. Rudd ...

CHAP. XXVIII. The words of Command for Facings.

Face to the

• RIght,
• Left,
• To both Flanks,
• Right about,
• Left about,
• To Front and Reer,
• Midst of Files,
• Midst of Ranks,
• Right Angle,
• Left Angle,
• Outward Angles in the Front,
• Inward Angles in the Front,
• Right Angle in the Reer,
• Left Angle in the Reer,
• Outward Angles in the Reer,
• Inward Angles in the Reer,
• Inward Angles of the right Flank,
• Inward Angles of the left Flank,
• Outward Angles both of Front and Reer,
• Inward Angles both of Front and Reer,
• Inward Angles of both the Flanks to the Center,
• Front, Reer and both Flanks from the Center,
• To the outward Angles of Front and Reer from the Center,

As you were, or, To your Leader.

Having concluded the words of Command for performing of plain Facings, there must be notice taken, when any word of Command shall be given to face to any of the Reer-Angles, they must be first faced to the Reer, and they will make more easier performance of the same; and likewise, if any word of Command be given to face to the inward Angles upon the Flanks, they must face them there likewise first, and it will be easier fulfilled: and likewise if any command be gi∣ven to face to the four Angles, or to Front, Reer, and Midst from the Center, care must be first had that they may be first faced to the Center.

I might have proceeded a great deal farther in this place upon this Subject of Facings, to have shewn several figures of Battail that might be produced and drawn forth, affording much variety of forms and number, and with much ease to be performed upon their several marchings, according as they are ordered to face, which might be very useful for service, and affording much matter for any particular Exercise, to use several firings upon the same. But I shall have occasi∣on in another place to make use of divers of them, and setting them forth in the view, when I shall begin to set down in any particular Leadings of my own, which I have performed in our private meetings at Town-Ditch in London, every Thursday-morning, for the satisfaction of those loving Gentlemen who still do Exercise there, and to such which shall come after.