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. XLII. Ranks ranking, or Files ranking at one and the same time into Front, Reer, and Midst.

Command. RAnks, rank outward into the Front, Reer, and Midst.

Direction. The two last Ranks are to face about; the first Rank, and the last Rank, and the third Rank from the Front, are to stand; the other three are to move forth, six to the right, and six to the left, until they have ranked unto all these places, after face to the Front, and the last Rank moving f r ward to open Order.

Reducement. Ranks, rank twelve to the right and left inward; the last Rank face about, the twelve middlemost men of each Rank are to stand, the six outmost men of each Rank are to face inward, to move and fall into the right and left be∣hind the middlemost men, after the two last Ranks are to face to the Front.

Command. Ranks, rank inward into the Front, Reer, and Midst.

Direction. Right and left half-Ranks open from the midst to twice double di∣stance, the two last Ranks face to the Reer, the first and last Rank, and the third Rank from the Front stand, the rest move to the right and left inward, ranking into Front, Reer, and Midst; after that the last Rank is to face to the Front, and to close forward to open Order.

Reducement. Ranks, rank six to the right and left outward, the last Rank face about, and the outmost six men upon each Rank are to stand, and the middle men are to divide themselves six to the right hand, and six to the left, and to fall in the Reer of the first, last, and middle Rank; after the last Rank is to face to the Front, and then to close Ranks and Files to their Order.

Command. Ranks, rank outward into the Front, Reer, and Midst, every man placing himself on the outside of his right and left-hand-man.

Direction. The two last Ranks face about, the first and last Rank, and the third Rank from the Front stand, the rest move forth to the right and left, ranking into Front, Reer, and Midst, placing themselves on the outside of their right and left-hand-men; face to your Leader.

Reducement. Ranks, rank twelve to the right and left inward, placing your

selves on the inside of your right and left-hand-men, the last Rank face about, the twelve middlemost men in each Rank are to stand, and the outmost six men in each Rank are to move to the right and left inward, placing themselves in the Reer of the former Ranks, and on the inside of their right and left-hand-men, facing to their Leader.

Command. Ranks, rank inward into the Front, Reer, and Midst, every man placing himself on the inside of his right and left-hand-man.

Direction. Right and left half-Ranks open from the midst to twice double di∣stance, standing then at Order in each division in Rank and File; the two last Ranks face about, and the first, last, and third Rank from the Front stand, the rest move inward, placing themselves on the inside of their right and left-hand-men; after the last Rank may face about, and move forward to open Order.

Reducement. Ranks, rank six to the right and left outward, every man placing himself on the outside of his right and left-hand-man, the last Rank face about, the six outmost men of each Rank stand, and the twelve middlemost men in each Rank are to divide themselves six to the right, and six to the left, falling in the Reer of the outmost men, placing themselves on the outside of their right and left-hand-men; after face to the Front, and Ranks and Files close to the midst to Order.

Of Files ranking into Front, Reer, and Midst.

Command. FIles, rank outward into Front, Reer, and Midst.

Direction. The two last Ranks face about, the first, last, and third Rank from the Front stand, the rest move to the right and left, after the manner of doubling of Ranks, and rank to Front, Reer, and Midst, as before command∣ed; and after the last Rank face to the Front, closing forward to Order.

Reducement. Ranks, file six to the right and left inward, the last Rank face about, and the even men from the midst of Files are to fall in behind the odd, after the manner of doubling Files to the right and left inward, and after the two last Ranks are to face to the Front.

Command. Files, rank inward into Front, Reer, and Midst.

Direction. They standing at the distance of Order in Rank and File, command right and left Half-ranks to open from the Midst something more then to open Order, after the two last Ranks are to face about, and the first, last, and third Rank from the Front are to stand, the rest are to move to the right and left in∣ward, after the manner of doubling Ranks to the right and left inward; after the last Rank is to face to the Front, and to close forwards to open Order.

Reducement. Ranks, file six to the right and left outward, the last Rank face about, and every man from the Flanks is to move outward, after the manner of doubling Files to the right and left outward; then the two last Ranks are to face to the Front, and the whole Body may close their Ranks and Files into the Midst to Order.

Notes

• They are to stand at Order in Rank and File.
• Ranks ranking by Coun∣termarch