"Importance Of Drummer Boys In The Civil War" Topic

"Have you ever walked into 1,200 guns aiming straight at you? Drummer boys in the Civil War have, some even did it more than once. Drummer boys, who also served as soldiers, were some of the bravest boys in the country during the Civil War. These boys walked at the front of the marching column beating their drums to regulate soldiers' marching steps. They were also the first ones to be shot if there was an ambush. Drummer boys sometimes fought too, but most importantly they always looked out for each other. The column marched forward as the sound of cannon fire thundered in the distance. The soldiers marched forward fearing what was ahead. At the front of the marching column, a young excited boy led the men into battle while beating his drum to the tune of "Battle Cry of Freedom…"

Main page

link

Armand

I doubt that drummers marched at the head of the column.

I guess they did when they march to the front… not when battle begin…

Armand

The drummers and fifers and buglers were scattered among the regiment's companies for camping and eating and administrative purposes, usually two or three per company. When the battalion (regiment) was to assemble, a bugler would sound "Musicians' Call" and all the Field Music (which was a different thing than a regimental band) would gather where the Principle Musician was. The Field Music would get itself organized and when all was ready would play "To the Colors" and the battalion would assemble on the Color Line. On the march, the music would be at the front of the column. In battle the music would be behind the line, near the center, where the Colonel usually posted himself. Many different orders could be sounded by the music and the colonel would often use them to do so. The Music would rarely ever be out in front in combat, but being directly behind the center of the line was by no means a safe place, either.

Thanks!

Armand