Field Musicians of the Civil War






The duties of the regular field musician was quite extensive. Asides from not getting drunk (which many did anway), requirements of the musicians included hauling wood, assisting with corduroying roads, commanding a section of a wagon train, making headboards for graves, feeding the horses, performing picket and guard duty, cutting wood, and helping the cooks.

At morning Guard Mount, the Drum Major would select two musicians who would serve as orderly drummer and fifer for the day. They accompanied the guard to the guard tent. The drummer remained there, from which he would perform the solo first calls, which would would assemble the rest of teh music. He was warned not to leave his post under any circumstance since his duty was very important - the smooth performance of the entire corps was dependant on his cues.

The orderly fifer was to "attend to the marque" (the quarters of the regimental adjutant or the officer of the day) after he had escorted the guard to the guard house. He served as a runner for the adjutant and, when dismissed by him, returned to the guard tent to wait to be relieved.

From the music was also selected a principal drummer and a fife major. They were positioned to the right of the massed music, and would prescribe the tempo for the tunes being played. (For example, when all the musicians for the USV, or Mifflin Guard would be assembled for dress parade or some other ceremony, the leading fifer and drummer would be stationed to the far right of the entire drum corps, and would assume command of the group.) He was also the disciplinarian for the day, reporting all misdemeanors of individual members to the drum major.

The leading drummer was further designated as "the leader", and was to be recognized as such by the other members. His role was akin to that of first sergeant, while the drum major held duties similar to a commissioned platoon leader. The leader was also responsible for instrumental repair, and he inspected individual musicians to insure compliance with uniform regulations.





1
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws