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| Un jour de revue sous l’Empire Hippolyte Bellangé (PD) |
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| Detail of the above |
Fifers however, another important component of military music, were often boys. A military drum is no wee sma' thing, stamina was required to lug that around and to play it on the battlefield.
Military drummers have played a crucial role in warfare throughout history. Soldiers marched to battle to the sound of the drums and used the beat to regulate the loading and reloading of their weapons during the battle. Drummers were also used to raise morale during the fight. (Source)
I have marched to the beat of the drum, both in reenactments and in real military life. The sound of a military drum inspires and really helps one keep the pace.
John Blackshoe gave me the idea to write about the military aspect of the drums and I plan to expand more upon that in the future. But for now I'll leave you with just this brief taste.
Enjoy the remainder of your weekend ...
There is something for that deep beat and higher notes that sink into a person, now bagpipes........woah!
ReplyDeleteMarching to bagpipes is another experience entirely. Gets the hackles up.
DeleteAs a friend of Scottish ancestry put it, it brings out the urge to charge with the bayonet.
DeleteMore likely targe and claymore.
DeleteImportant for passing orders along. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fvkihdRV5g
ReplyDeleteFife and drum, sheet music and some audio files : https://fieldmusicschool.org/calls.html
That second video is a great illustration of a charge in the days of muzzle loading warfare.Not a wild run over 500 yards as too often shown in movies. Maybe the last 20 to 50 yards at a run, but mostly a steady march. Just as a cavalry charge was maybe the last 200 yards at a gallop They needed to keep formation, otherwise rather than having the weight of the line hitting all at once like a tidal wave, you would have 1 here, 3 there, like big rain drops spattering the opposing force.
http://www.warnersregiment.org/Battlefield%20Signals.html
DeleteFor you bookish types, the 1918 US Manual: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6b/The_military_drummer_-_a_manual_on_drum_playing_as_practiced_in_the_United_States_army_and_navy%2C_including_drum_duties_with_fife_and_bugle_%28IA_militarydrummerm00gard%29.pdf
Sheet music and some audio files, War of 1861, https://fieldmusicschool.org/calls.html
DeleteAnd drums only:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fvkihdRV5g
I really like the charge in your second video. No wild sprint from 500 yards out, just a steady march to keep formation. Otherwise instead of the tidal wave of the mass of men, it's raindrops hitting that can be brushed away.
Joe #1 - Nice to have the audio snippet.
DeleteJoe #2 - Wild charges are for Hollywood. Arriving at the point of attack disorganized and out of control is less than useless.
DeleteJoe's actual #1 - Had to pull you out of spam, old boy. Sorry, methinks Gargle has been drinking again.
DeleteGreat fun to hear those "drums a'beating" and flags flying. Truly stirring motivators for those observing, and nearly as much for those in ranks.
ReplyDeleteReenactors are often called "living historians" these days, to add more respectability and distract a bit from the fact that a good battle needs both the "good guys" and some "bad guys." With "bad guys" being denigrated at every opportunity in the media and academia, they must be careful in their portrayals to not stray into politically incorrect issues.
Reenactors are very valuable in bringing historical events to life, and stirring interest in history among the public of all ages, but especially young people.
One channel I found with excellent historical content is "Revere0311" with a young lad (at my age just about anyone not yet drawing social security qualifies as young) who is a "former Marine infantryman, Revolutionary War reenactor, and amateur history enthusiast." He is a unique mix of someone who understands combat, and has an appreciation for historical events and the culture of the past, and a willingness to really dig into history. In his reenacting efforts, he (like most) uses replica arms, but he is also a collector of Rev War arms and arms made at the U.S. Armory at Harpers Ferry. He actually does serious research and uses the many good reference books, and shares his new purchases, including the lumps from sometimes "buying an education." Besides doing the reenacting blank firing, he also does live fire with ball ammunition. He has captured some of the experience of being in a Rev War battle with "Go-Pro" type head mounted cameras, providing a unique perspective few have ever seen.
He is enthusiastic, articulate, well informed, and just generally fun!
Here is Revere0311 live firing an original 190 year old M1816 flintlock musket, but he has a ton of videos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KYKicKuJnQ
John Blackshoe
Great channel JB, something to watch (probably for hours). Having been a good guy for one period of history in reenacting, and the bad guy in two others. There is definitely a fine line in portraying the bad guys.
DeleteWhenever I see these reenactments or movie depictions I think about what damage an M-4 or an M-60 from the future could do, probably ending the war in a few sweeps with a couple magazines. Crazy that they were all just lined up for the more guerilla-style warfare we used somewhat.
ReplyDeleteWe didn't start winning battles until we started lining up like they did. The guerrillas weakened British resolve though, that's for sure.
DeleteOr an M16 GMC. The four M2HB Fifty caliber machine guns were set for aircraft cyclic rates, to put as many rounds in the air as fast as possible.
DeleteYou would quickly run out of ammunition. No doubt the other side would want a "word" with those manning that firepower.
DeleteFor drummer boys, there is Kipling's "The drums of the Fore and Aft".
ReplyDeleteI'll have to read that sometime.
DeleteFriend Bill re-enacts RevWar and Civil War. His son Arthur was a fifer (fifist?) with the Williamsburg Fife and Drum Corps. Next time you watch Gods and Generals (you DO have a copy, don't you?) listen to the music as Gen. Lee writes letters in his tent. That's Arthur!
ReplyDeleteThe following British establishment has taken a LOT of my money over the years. Fife & Drums, Pipes & Drums, Military Bands; http://www.discurio.co.uk/
Of course I have a copy. 😎
Delete