"Bugler.. does he really need a weapon?" Topic

Hi Gents,

I've been working on a sculpt of a bugler figure for this wee little ACW line I'm plugging away on, and I was wondering if they tended to carry a rifle around, or if they just skipped about with their bugle and nothing else? Were they expected to mix it up, or stay back and carry casualties off the field like the drummers?

Thank You,
Bob

I would expect that a cav trooper, no matter what role they had in the troop, would at least have a saber, and perhaps a sidearm. I know I'd feel a lot better about things if I were a bugler if I had some means of self-defense.

I am sure those more knowledgeable than myself will respond with chapter and verse of the regs letting you know what they should have carried.

Best wishes with your "wee little" ACW line – post some pics when you can.

Regards,
GregS

The fact that he said "rifle" rather than "carbine" would suggest he meant an infantryman rather than cavalry.

Sorry guys, I should have clarified.. yes, I meant an infantry bugler.

I agree that he should be armed for self defence. I'd suggest giving him a slung rifle if he is "tooting his horn". 8>)

Good luck on the sculpt!

Best
Tom Dye
GFI

I would not like to be on the battle field with only a bugle as a defence!
ACW or colonial wars there would be someone on the otherside that didn't like your playing

Ok, so we're goin with a rifle for this fellow.. Bayonet fixed, or no? The infantry figures I've completed all have fixed bayonets (though this isn't historically proper)…

Thank you so much for your opinions, guys.

There was a thread not too long ago about CW Buglers. The jist was that buglers would be used to signal skirmishers or higher formations of Regiments or Brigades. Neither duty would put the bugler in front except in the glorified picture oportunity.

A bugler wouldn't get in the firing line unless he was:

a. incredibly unlucky

or

b. incredibly stupid

I'm sure he'd want to be able to defend himself though. Most likely he'd be near the regimental CO but he _IS_ an infantryman from the ranks. Could go either way but more than likely would have either a rifle or pistol. The cav bugler is a differet story in terms of arms.

FWIW, the Bugler is a musician and is, technically, a non-combatant. The reason that musicians wore lace on the front of the frock coat was to indicate their status in combat.

I can think of no reason for the bugler(s) of an infantry unit to bear arms. They would be always near the Colonel, and often mounted too. Their job was to relay commands for maneuvering of the battalion, as well as one of them was to accompany the skirmishers, staying beside the senior Captain commanding, in order to again relay commands to them.

In virtually every case, the bugler would be behind the line of battle, near the Colonel. He wouldn't be assigned to the medical details as the other musicians were, because he was needed on the field to relay commands.

In many cases, these men were still carried on their company rolls for administrative reasons, such as pay, leave, etc. However, they remained near the unit HQ at all times, rotating duty so that one was always available to the Colonel, or the Officer of the Day.

I would give him a pack or blanket roll, his canteen and haversack, and his bugle. I wouldn't give him any accoutrements or weapons.

More here:

link

Respects,

Thanks for the link TKindred. It's full of interesting information. I didn't know that drummers were often ordered to the rear when hostilities broke out (which means all my command stands are wrong). However, it does go on to state on page two that "Most of the buglers carried rifles and fought with other members of their company", which suggests Bob's bugler might need his musket after all.

If a bugler was unlucky enough to need a weapon for "self defence" there was likely a few things laying around close he could pick up! Just for looks, though, a nice pistol in one hand and bugle in the other could be a nice casting!

As noted, the bugler was supposed to be a non-combatant

If there was a situation where a bugler needed a weapon, I think docdennis has it right – there would be lots lying around for him to pick up

That being said, I also agree that a pistol-packing bugler would be a cool fig (I would buy one!)

A pistol is a nice idea. I'm sure there were lots of non-reg weapons for those they didn't have to carry a rifle-musket.

As a musician, a bugler would theoretically carry the regulation musician's sword. This was a light sword that was similar to, but smaller than, the regulation NCO sword. Anyone who has seen a musician's sword will realize how nearly useless it would be in a real fight. It wouldn't surprise me if buglers equipped themselves with a pistol, but I can't see many voluntarily encumbering themselves with a musket. By the time you include the ammunition, cartridge box and cap pouch you are talking about 12-13 pounds of weight. A bugler would have no business shooting at the enemy while they are at a distance (he's got more important things to do) and if the enemy got close enough that the bugler needed to defend himself, a pistol would be a better choice anyway.