1759
The squadron was drawn up in three ranks at open order, i.e. with a distance equal to half the front of the squadron between ranks.
Each squadron was told off into half-ranks, one-third of ranks, and fours.
Officers take your posts of exercise.—The officers rode out from their posts till eight or ten paces in rear of the C.O., then turned about and faced their squadrons.
Half-ranks to the right; double your files.—The left half-ranks of each squadron reined back to the half-distance between ranks, and passaged to the right until the right half-ranks were covered.
Half-ranks that doubled; as you were.—The left half-ranks passaged to the left and rode back to their original places.
(The same manœuvre then executed to the left.)
Rear ranks to the right; double your front.—The rear ranks wheeled into column of half-ranks, then wheeled (as a column) to the left and came up, the leading half-rank on the right flank of the front, and the rear half-rank on the right flank of the centre rank.
Rear ranks that doubled; as you were.—The columns of half-ranks wheeled to the right, and countermarched to their original places.
(The same manœuvre then repeated to the left.)