A Brief on drummers and their duties, Called The Historic Role of Drummers

Page 67:

DRUMMERS in column of march, or close column, are with their companies, and on the flank not the pivot one. -In line the grenadier and light drummers are six paces behind the rear rank of their companies. -The battalion drummers are in two divisions, and formed six paces behind the third and seventh companies. -- In parade, at open ranks, the drummers preserve their six paces from the rear rank.

Page 68:

Music. The Music, in open or close column, are on the flank which is not the pivot one; in line they are in a single rank behind the right center company, 3 paces in the rear of the fourth rank: in parade, at open ranks, they are between the colours and the front rank. Music, &c. Drummers, music, pioneers, &c. will take care not to impede the flank movements of the close column, nor its formation into line, but will get into the rear of their respective battalions as soon as they are disengaged from each other.

The Drill

DRUMMERS in column of march, or close column, are with their companies, and on the flank not the pivot one.--Inline the grenadier and light drummers are six paces behind the rear rank of their companies.--
The battalion drummers are in two divisions, and formed six paces behind the third and seventh companies.--In parade, at open ranks, the drummers preserve their six paces from the rear rank.

Drummers, music, pioneers, &c. will take care not to impede the flank movements of the close column, nor its formation into line, but will get into the rear of their respective battalions as soon as they are disengaged from each other.

RULES & REGULATIONS for the FORMATION, FIELD-EXERCISE, and MOVEMENTS
Of HIS MAJESTY'S FORCES.

GENERAL ORDERS
Horse Guards, January 1st, 1807.

DRUMMERS in column of march, or close column, are with their companies, and on the flank not the pivot one.
--Inline the grenadier and light drummers are six paces behind the rear rank of their companies.
-- The battalion drummers are in two divisions, and formed six paces behind the third and seventh companies.
--In parade, at open ranks, the drummers preserve their six paces from the rear rank.

Music.
The Music, in open or close column, are on the flank which is not the pivot one; in line they are in a single rank behind the right centre company, 3 paces in the rear of the fourth rank: in parade, at open ranks, they are between the colours and the front rank.
Music, &c.
Drummers, music, pioneers, &c. will take care not to impede the flank movements of the close column, nor its formation into line, but will get into the rear of their respective battalions as soon as they are disengaged from each other.

S.34. Wheeling in File.
The use of music or drums to regulate the march is absolutely forbid, as incompatible with the just and combined movements of any considerable body, and giving a false aid to the very smallest. They never persevere in the ordered time or any other, are constantly changing measure, create noise, derange the equality of step, and counteract the very end they are supposed to promote. The order and cadenced march can be acquired and preserved from the eye and habit alone: and troops must, by great practice, be so steadied as to be able to maintain it, even though drums, music, or other circumstances should be offering a different marked time. On occasion of parade and show, and when troops are halted, they are properly used, and when circumstances do not forbid it, may be sometimes permitted as inspiriting in column of march, when unity of step is not so critically required. But in all movements of maneuvers whatever, and as at any
time directing the cadence of the step, or in the instruction of the recruit, officer, or battalion, they must not be heard.

FORMATION OF THE COMPANY.
When the company is singly formed, the captain is on the right, and the ensign on the left, of the front rank, each covered by a serjeant in the rear rank. The lieutenant is in the rear, as also the drummer and pioneer in a fourth rank, at three paces distance.

S.70. When the Company is to take Open
Order from Close Order.
Rear Ranks, take open Order.
At this command, the flank men on the right and left of the rear ranks, step back to mark the ground on which each rank respectively is to halt, and dress, at open distance; they face to the right and stand covered; every other individual remains ready to move.
March. At this command, the rear rank dressers front, and the rear ranks fall back one and two paces, each dressing by the right, the instant it arrives on the ground: -the officers move out in front three paces, and divide their ground: one serjeant is on each flank of the front rank: -the pioneer remains behind the centre of the rear rank; -the drummer places himself on the right of the right serjeant.

S.71. When the Company is to take Close
Order from Open Order.
Rear Ranks,take Close Order.
March. The officers, serjeants, drummer, face to the right.
The ranks close within one pace, marching one and two paces, and then halting.
The officers move round the flanks of the company in their respective posts: -the serjeants and drummers fall back, and each individual resumes his place as in the original close order.
The above regards the company when single; but when united in the battalion, other posts are allotted to the drummer and pioneer.

FORMATION of the BATTALION.
The music shall be posted in the rear of the right centre company, in a single rank three paces behind the fourth rank:--the pioneers shall be posted at the same distance, in rear of the fourth rank of the left centre company, and in a single rank: the drummers of the eight battalion companies are assembled in two divisions, six paces behind the third rank of their 2d and 7thcompanies.--The grenadier and light company drummers and fifers are six paces behind their respective companies.

S.72. When the Battalion takes Open Order.
The music form between the colours and the front rank.
The serjeant coverers move up to the front rank, to preserve the intervals left by the officers.
The pioneers fall back to six paces distance behind the rear rank.
The drummers take the same distance behind their divisions.

S.73. When the Battalion resumes Close Order.
The drummers and pioneers (if on the flanks) face to the centre.
The music marches through the centre interval, and resumes its station in the rear.
The serjeants, drummers, pioneers, &c. &c. resume their places, each as in the original formation of the battalion in close order.