Just like all of the other soldiers, drummers and fifers ran on a regular schedule every day. Because of the structure of many modern events, you may not be able to live on a schedule exactly like the one they lived on but it is alwas good to try to stay on a regular schedule. Personally, I try to be as close to the actual schedule as possible. Here is an example of the musician's schedule as it would have been.
5:45 A.M.- First Call. Beaten 15 minutes before Reville as a signal for all musicians to assemble.
6:00 A.M.- Reville. Reville is the signal for all troops to get up and exit their tents. Reville is a series of
songs that are traditionally played as follows: Three Camps, Slow Scotch, Austrian, Hessian, Prussian, The Dutch, and Quick Scotch. Often, (especially in winter months) all tunes but Three Campsare
omitted. Sometimes played at 7:00. If so, the whole schedule gets shifted one hour later.
6:15 A.M.- Surgeon's Call. Usually not played at events. Signal for all sick or injured troops to report to
the surgeon.
7:00 A.M.- Breakfast Call. Usually not played at events. Signal for troops to adjourn to the companycook's
tent for breakfast. Only played when there is a cooks tent. If men are cooking within their
messes, there is no need for brakfast call.
8:00 A.M.- First Call and Second Call. Companies assemble for drill.
9:30 A.M.- First Call. Call for troops to assemble for drill.
9:45 A.M.- Second Call. Dress parade begins and troops form up by companies. Musicians play the Three
Cheers, Troop, The Three Cheers, and several selected quicksteps.
12:00 A.M.- Dinner Call. Usually not played at events. Call for troops to adjourn to the cook's tent for
their midday meal. Not played if troops are cooking by mess.
1:00 P.M.- Pioneer's Call. Fatigue companies police the parade ground. Pioneer's call is also played to
drum disorderly women out of camp.
1:45 P.M.- First Call. Signal for troops to assemble for drill.
2:00 P.M.- Second Call. Call for troops to assemble by company on the parade ground.
7:00 P.M.- Supper Call. Troops adjourn to the cook's tent. This call is usually not played at events.
Sunset- Retreat. Musicians assemble to beat The Three Cheers and then play Retreat.
9:00 P.M.- Tattoo. Tattoo is a series of tunes that is played as follows: Three Cheers, The Doublings,
New Tatter Jack, Slow March, Downfall of Paris, My Lodgings on the Cold Ground, Trust to Luck,
The Doublings, and a Quickstep. Tattoo can be shortened at the wish of the musicians or their
commanding officers. Signal for troops to go to bed or return from town.
10:30 P.M.- Taps. Usually played by a bugler. If not, it is composed of three distinct taps on the drum.
Signal for all lights to be extinguished.
(All images courtesy of www.harpweek.com)
Drumming disorderly women out of camp... now THAT paints a picture! LOL
Posted by: Sandy (justplainsassy) | November 10, 2007 at 07:56 PM
Yes. As I understand, there was QUITE a problem with that. Kinda makes you wonder...
Posted by: william | November 11, 2007 at 12:02 PM