Camp Duties:
All noncommissioned Officers call: Assemble Sergeant
Majors, Sergeants, and Corporals
Assembly: Assembly was played on the parade grounds
by the army's field music. It was used to signify that All men,
officers, and others were to report to the parade ground in formation
by regiment and company. When assembling there they were to be
in full uniform, cleaned and polished, and colours were to be flying.
Assembly was generally used for an official event in camp.
Camp Taps: Used to signify that a camp duty is about
to commence. Performed initially by the army lead drummer, then echoed
by rest.
Church Call: The church call is used to signify, of
All things, church. Played as if done for a full parade ceremony. In
the British army they had an official religion (Royal Anglican (Episcopalian)).
It was just rare for the soldiers to follow it. Each regiment had a chaplain
that was meant to bring god to the soldiers. The chaplains often proved
to be some of the most corrupt in the regiment.
The General- signifies the striking of camp
Drummers Call: Drummers Call was typically commenced
on the parade ground and was used to signify that All drummers and fifers
were to assemble there. It was typically done before a ceremony so that
the music would be ready there. It was commenced by the Army Lead drummer.
He would be joined as more and more musicians arrived there.
First Sergeant's call - used to assemble the Sergeants
of each company usually at the Adjutants tent.
Officer's call- Assembles All officers (Ensigns, Lieutenants,
Captains, Captain-Lieutenants, Majors, Colonels.) together.
Pioneers March- Assembles the pioneers. They are the
ones who set up camp, perform construction, highway building, etc.
Reveille: This was the song used to tell the soldiers
that the day had begun. Traditionally it is played at Sunrise. The Reveille
was also known as Three Camps and were interspersed with tunes that the
Drum Major chose to ass at his own discretion. Reveille would generally
be played for upwards of 40 minutes and was played while marching through
the tent rows. Musicians, for this reason, became somewhat hated by the
men.
The Roast Beef signifies supper is being served.
To Arms: To Arms was used to assemble the men on the
parade ground. Unlike the Assembly, To Arms was used in alarm. The soldiers
were to get to the parade ground looking as good as possible and the
regimental colours were to be left behind. This would commonly be used
if needing to defend from a colonial attack.
Water Call- Detachment is to get water.
Wood Call- Detachment is to gather wood
Colour Ceremony:
Singling of the Troop: This duty was used while on parade. It was used to tell
the army to open ranks for inspection.
Doublings of the Troop: Used to signify that army was to close ranks
Duke of York's Favourite Troop: Used to signify that the Trooping of the Colours
was about to commence Detachment is to Water Call- get water.
Battle Signals
Most signals during the battle were performed on the drum.
Cease Fire- Similar to the parley, it is usually used to call
the men back to order if they are firing with out permission or as a safety
issue in the reenacting world.
Parley- Used to signify that the officers of one side want
to meet with the other side to discuss such things as terms of surrender.
All hostilities are to temporarily cease when this is played.
Firing Sequence- Prime and Load (The Preparative)- signifies
that muskets are to be primed and loaded.
Make Ready used to signify that everyone is to full cock the firelocks
Present- Level the muskets to the firing position
Fire- Rather self explanatory. Everyone is to fire their piece.
Retreat signifies retreat. Or retiring from the field.
Another duty of the music in the American revolution
was that off the beat keeper on the march. The officers in the British
army had the soldiers average pace determined. They also knew the distance
they wanted to travel. By determining both the pace size and the distance
needed to cover they could establish the time it will take by applying
a certain beat of the drum and fife. For example if the pace of a soldier
is 4 feet and the soldier was trying to get one mile then by determing
that it would take 1320 paces to cover that. The average drum beat
is 96 beats per minute ( a beat equals a step) it is determined that
it will take 13 minutes and forty five seconds to cover that distance.
Here is the proof : 1 mile times 5280 ft/ mile divided by 1 pace/ 4
feet equals 1320 paces. Divide that by the 96 beats (steps per minute)
and it will come out to 13.45 or 13 minutes and 3 quarters. By using
this equation the officers are able to know how long it will take to
get from point A to point B. The beat could also be manipulated to
arrive earlier or later than this projected time.
Also on the march, the musician provided the soldiers entertainment. Besides
just the common marches they would play country dances, folk songs (Yanky Doodle,
for example), Ballads (Welcome, Welcome Brother Debtor), songs of love ( The
Girl I left Behind Me), and patriotic songs (Rule Britannia, British Grenadiers).
It is also a feasible idea that the soldiers wrote their own lyrics to these
songs and sang them in camp.
Other minor roles of the musician were being messengers between officers. Sort
of the equivalent to the Civil Wars runner. And ceremonial.
The
Role of the Musicians , H.M . Tenth Regiment of Foot Music Company
For
a full discription of calls and signals, scores and Audio please
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