Wheeling is a species of Facing; the latter respecting individuals; the former a body of men drawn up, either in a single rank, or in a division composed of [53] several ranks; each having for its revolution the same division of the circle as the other, and consequently the same number of words of command; but instead of saying, as in the Facings, face to the right, you are to say in the Wheelings, Division, wheel to the right, etc.. See Sect. IV. of this Chapter.
ART. I. To Wheel by Single Rank.
In Wheeling by single rank, the whole rank revolves on the flank point it wheels on, like the sweep of a pair of compasses with one leg fixed, or like a door or a gate turning upon its hinge; that is, if the rank wheels to the right, it revolves on the right heel of the man who is on the right of the same rank and likewise the contrary. Hence it is evident, that the nearer any man is to the heel on which the rank wheels, the less will be the space which he describes in his revolution, and of course his steps must accordingly be longer or shorter, as that space is nearer or farther from the heel or point on which he wheels; in order that he may by that means make the requesite revolution at the same juncture with all those in the same rank with him. This being understood, no other intimation will then be necessary, but to preserve a straight rank, and to oblige the men to step together, and to keep at a due distance, so as only just to touch or feel each other with their right hands, which will be sufficient to prevent their flying out or closing too near to each other.
This rule differs a little from the present practice, by which the men are directed to incline to the flank they wheel on, or to keep close shoulder to shoulder, in order to bring each other the better about. But [54] this method I disapprove, having observed, that it not only always occasions a crowded rank, by making the men to close too much, but it besides causes the intervals between the divisions to be too open when the line comes to be formed.
ART. II. To Wheel by Ranks in Division.
As the men have been in the last article formed into a single rank, they are now to be formed into a body, consisting of three ranks; and in order to which, the single rank, in which they are at present, is to be told off in their divisions, as is directed in Sect. V. Art. V. of this chapter. But that this operation may be performed in a more methodical or military way, the centre and left divisions, are first to countermarch, or to change ground with each other; and then the whole is to be formed into three ranks, according to the following words of command.
I. Left and centre Divisions, face to the Right and Left.
Direction.
The center division is to face to the left upon the left heel, bringing up the right foot; and the left division is to face to the right upon the same heel, falling back with the right foot. [55]
II. March
Direction.
Each division is to step off with the foot next to the front, and to march strait forward; the centre division marching in the front of that on the left.
III. Halt
Direction.
This word of command is to be given on the divisions having arrived at each others former ground; and in order that each man may then place himself at his due distance from him who leads or goes before.
IV. Front.
The new centre division, as it now stands, is to face to the Left on the left heel, bringing up the right foot; and the new left division is to face to the right on the left heel, falling back with the right foot; and then the whole is to dress as a rank-intire.
V. To the right wheel, and form your Ranks.
March.
Direction.
Each of the three divisions is as they now stand, in single rank, to wheel a quadrant, which will bring them parallel to each other; beyond which ground, the men are not to advance, though they are to continue the step motion with their feet, till they are ordered to halt. [56]
VI. Halt
Direction.
The whole three ranks, viz. the Front, Centre, and Rear, are to stand fast; planting their feet at proper distance, and in a line with each other.
VII. Rear ranks, take whole distance. March.
Direction.
The distance that the ranks are to be from each other, being previously marked out; as is directed in Sect. V. Art. V. of this chapter; the men of the rear ranks are to march to that ground, or rather to be formed upon it. Then the files are to be completed, and the ranks dressed, directing each man to observe and remember well his file leader, and his right and left hand men; that in case they should afterwards be broke or dispersed, they might the more readily form of themselves, by each man knowing his station, and falling at once into his proper place.
VIII. Rear ranks, close to half distance. March.
Direction.
The centre rank is to march two paces, and the rear rank four; each rank stepping off at the same time with the left feet. [57]
IX. Rear ranks, close to quarter distance. March.
Direction.
The centre rank is to march one pace, and the rear rank two; which is called close order.
The men being thus formed into close order, and made to wheel, the whole body may then be compared to a solid parallelogram, or to a book, revolving upon one of its front angles, which by its solidity; brings round with it all its sides and angles, according to the figure it is in. Now, as the wheeling of a division or a body, of men, consisting of two or more ranks, differs in nothing from the wheeling of a single rank, but in the bringing round of its rear ranks with it; and as the rear ranks cannot revolve on a point, as the front rank does, consequently the men of those ranks must occasionally incline to the right or to the left, in order to preserve their figure, and to maintain the true direction of their respective files; that is, if the division wheel to the right, the men of the rear ranks incline to the left; and if it should wheel to the left, they likewise incline to the right, in order to come about, in either instance, with the men of the front rank; and according to their figure, in a close and compact form and order: but as a division has often occasion to wheel as well upon one of its rear angles as its front, the corporal is for that purpose, and after he has made his men perfect in wheeling upon each of the front angles, to order the division to the right about, and then perfect it likewise in wheeling upon each of the rear angles, or he may perfect the whole as well or [58] rather better, by making each rear rank alternately, a front rank.
ART. III. To wheel in time.
When a battalion is marching by divisions in column, and there should be occasion to form the line at once, nothing is then more unsightly, or proclaims more the want of proper instruction, than to see the several divisions wheel so irregular, as not to shut in, or come up all at once to their ground
To avoid so unbecoming an appearance, no other rule is requisite, but a strict attention in each succeeding division to its leading division, so as to keep at a due distance from it, and to time well its wheel with it.
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