| Tango01 | 19 Sep 2016 10:27 p.m. PST |
"In the performance theatre of the early nineteenth-century British military spectacle, drum-majors took centre stage. Sporting cocked hats and silver-tipped canes, these princes of pomp and circumstance uncased and lodged the regimental colours for parade and marched at the head of the battalion during reviews and inspections. "It should never be objected", wrote Captain Bennet Cuthbertson, that a drum-major was "too great a coxcomb", using a contemporary synonym for a dandy. On the contrary, a drum-major's dress should promote vanity and self-importance, for it was "absolutely necessary for him to strut, and think himself a man of consequence" when leading his drummers on parade. A drum-major's appearance was a source of regimental pride. According to a 1782 satirical work, this foppish figure was "the Paris, if not the Adonis" of a battalion, for "every judge of discipline will estimate the goodness of the corps by the taste and splendor of [his] trappings."[2] Unsurprisingly, the prestige associated with well-dressed drum-majors encouraged lavish expenditure; in 1813 the 1st Devon Militia paid the eye-watering sum of seventeen pounds, six shillings and eight pence for their "drum-major's suit", ceremonial baldric and "fine silver-laced hat" – more than six times the cost of an ordinary drummer's cap and coat.[3] This bill excluded the price of the drum-major's finely engraved silver-mounted staff or cane, often almost as tall or taller than its wielder…"
More here
link Amicalement
Armand |
| Edwulf | 19 Sep 2016 11:19 p.m. PST |
Didn't we do this 3 weeks ago? |
 deadhead  | 20 Sep 2016 1:33 a.m. PST |
How long did it take to train a drum major, that is what I want to know. I recall something about 5 years was it? |
| 15th Hussar | 20 Sep 2016 4:25 a.m. PST |
Is it true that Austrian drums used Norwegian Elkhound skins for a more rounded tone? |
| 79thPA | 20 Sep 2016 6:39 a.m. PST |
I thought he posted the title of the latest Osprey. |
| Hafen von Schlockenberg | 20 Sep 2016 9:22 a.m. PST |
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| IronDuke596 | 20 Sep 2016 10:31 a.m. PST |
Most interesting, particularity the War of 1812 connection re the two drum-majors at York. Thanks for the find. |
 Dye4minis | 20 Sep 2016 10:51 a.m. PST |
Check this out! YouTube link This guy is great! (he does not appear till about 1:37 into the clip) The entire marching band's performance in this clip is really outstanding! Enjoy. v/r
Tom |
| Tango01 | 20 Sep 2016 11:13 a.m. PST |
Glad you like it my friend! (smile) Amicalmeent
Armand |
| Gonsalvo | 20 Sep 2016 7:47 p.m. PST |
The biggest limitation of the article is that pertains solely to the British experience. There is an anecdote where Napoleon is reviewing the 13e Leger, a regiment that has performed well at Eckmuhl in 1809, and asks the Colonel who the bravest man in the Regiment was. He replied, "Sire, it is the Drum Major". The Emperor immediately appointed him a Knight of the Legion of Honor, Baron of the Empire, and awarded him a pension of 4,00 Francs. This certainly wouldn't fit with the British view nof Drum Majors…although doubtless the French costumes were no less splendid! |
| Tango01 | 21 Sep 2016 12:17 p.m. PST |
Thanks!. Amicalement
Armand |
| jhancock | 23 Sep 2016 9:49 p.m. PST |
How about a new History Channel show: "Pimp My Drum Major"? Contestants get a fixed budget to outfit their cockiest friend as a Napoleonic Drum Major. Dumb contests to win extra swag and bling! Special guests…? Jeff |
| jhancock | 23 Sep 2016 9:51 p.m. PST |
Was there an unspoken code to not shoot/snipe at the Drum Major? Kinda like nobody picks on the village mad man? Jeff |
| Tango01 | 24 Sep 2016 10:26 a.m. PST |
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| Garde de Paris | 24 Sep 2016 11:55 a.m. PST |
Then there is simpler, Prussian 1880's way of the Chilean Army. See the two drum horses at about 1:30 YouTube link GdeP |
paints brigs for the British fleet.
