Face of a gun, is the superficies of the metal at the extremities of the muzzle of the piece.
Face, (to the right, left, &c.) a word of command on which the soldiers individually turn to the side directed; in performing which, the left heel should never quit the ground, the knees must be kept straight, and the body turned smoothly and gracefully. The moving of the right foot forward or backward, is wholly exploded; all the facings are now made upon the left heel as a pivot. The following are the old methods.
To the right, Face. 2 motions.—1st, Place the hollow of the right foot smartly against the left heel; 2d, Raise the toes, and turn (a quarter of the circle) to the right on both heels.
To the right about, Face, 3 motions.—1st, Place the ball of the right toe against the left heel; 2d, Raise the toes, and turn (half of a circle) to the right about on both heels; 3d, Bring the right foot smartly back in a line with the left.
To the left, Face. 2 motions.—1st, Place the right heel against the hollow of the left foot; 2d, Turn (a quarter of the circle) to the left on both heels.
To the left about, Face. 3 motions.—1st, Place the right heel against the ball of the left foot; 2d, Raise the toes, and turn (half of a circle) to the left about on both heels; 3d, Bring up the right foot smartly in a line with the left.
Quarter Face to the right or left, is now substituted for the old and awkward mode of oblique marching, the quarter facing being referred to the positions of action being all on the face of a semicircle; half of which is facing to the right or left; that is the side of the soldier is thrown to the previous front; in quarter facing the side is thrown diagonally between the front and flanks; marching quarter face is called marching by the line of science.
Great precision must be observed in these facings; otherwise the dressing will be lost in every movement.
Faces of a square. The different sides of a battalion, &c. when formed into a square are all denominated faces, viz. the front face, the right face, the left face, and the rear face. See [Square].
Face ou pan de bastion, Fr. See [Face of a bastion].