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. 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, until they stand even abrest in one entire Rank in the Front.

Reducement. Ranks, 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 fixes 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, until they make all one en∣tire Rank in the Front.

Reducement. Ranks, file six to the right by wheeling; face to the Reer, and the six outmost men upon the left, wheel to the left, the next six are to follow, and con∣sequently all the rest, until they have made twelve 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, until you are one entire Rank.

Reducement. Rank, file six to the right and left inward by wheeling, face about to the right; and the twelve middlemost men are to wheel to the right and left in∣ward, and the rest are likewise to do the same by Sixes, until they have made themselves into twelve 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 di∣stance, after face inward, and wheel to the right and left inward, until they are all in one Rank in the Front.

Reducement. Ranks, File six to the right and left outward, 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 the ranking into the Front, with all their several kinds: the Reer challengeth 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 please, 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 following.

Notes

• The Files are to be at double distance, and ranks at close a Order.