| The role of the military drummer is a fascinating | | | | 'Battaile' or 'Charge'. |
| chapter from the hidden history of drums. | | | | This was described by Colonel William Barriffe to |
| Hidden, because most people are unaware of the vital | | | | mean 'pressing forward in order of battle without |
| role played by the military drummer in communicating | | | | lagging behind, rather boldly stepping forward in place |
| strategy and keeping the machinery of battle oiled. | | | | of him that falls dead or wounded before thee...' |
| Battle Stations | | | | In the thick of battle, with the sound of cannon and |
| In the 17th century, in preparation for battle, before the | | | | musket, the neighing of horses, the screams of the |
| head on clash between rival armies, considerable time | | | | dying and wounded, the Colonel's voice would not be |
| was spent maneuvering men into position. | | | | heard and the beat of the drum continued to play a |
| The drums were used to convey orders - each 'beat' | | | | vital role in communicating orders to the troops. |
| having a specific meaning instantly recognisable to the | | | | From his vantage point the Colonel would command |
| soldiers. | | | | his drum-major to instigate various manoeuvers. If it |
| When the drummer's 'Call' was heard, the men | | | | was required to withdraw in an orderly fashion - for |
| dropped what they were doing and immediately | | | | relief, or to gain a vantage point, or to lure the enemy |
| regrouped by their lieutenant or platoon commander to | | | | into an ambush - the 'Retreat' would sound. The soldier, |
| await further signals. | | | | fighting for his life, was well prepared - the meaning of |
| The Captain's order to beat the 'Troop' was a signal to | | | | the different beats had been literally 'drummed' into him |
| shoulder muskets, advance pikes and close rank and | | | | time and time again in training. |
| file. | | | | At the onset of battle, the roar of the assembled |
| The 'March' was a signal to advance, faster or slower | | | | drummers would surely instil courage in the hearts of |
| according to the beat of the drum, to the point of | | | | the men (and fear in the hearts of the enemy). |
| rendezvous. | | | | Possibly, in the heat of battle, the beat of the drum, |
| The 'Preparative' signaled the men to advance in rank | | | | detached and ethereal, took on a spiritual quality, |
| and file to within skirmishing distance and be ready to | | | | helping the combatants to distance themselves from |
| engage battle. | | | | the horror and suffering all around. |
| At this point the company drummers would run to | | | | The drummer clearly carried a huge responsibility in the |
| where the Colonel stood (or sat on horseback) beside | | | | orderly conduct of war. In recognition of this it was |
| his own side-drummer and the standard bearer. | | | | considered highly dishonourable to knowingly strike or |
| Engaging The Enemy | | | | wound a drummer in battle. |
| On the Colonel's order the drummers would beat the | | | | |