RDMA Historical Manuals Scott 1835

The number of beats of the drum, for the assembly, parade, and movements of the infantry, independent of mere police calls, and the particular march of each regiment,

is fixed at eighteen. These beats are:

1. The generale.

2. The assembly

3. To the colour.

4. The long roll

5. The troop.

6. Quick time.

7. The charging step.

8. The reveille.

9. The retreat.

10. The disperse.

11. Drummer's call.

12. The roll.

13. First sergeants' call.

14. Double quick march.

15. Run.

16. Halt.

17. March in retreat.

18. commence firing.

The number of bugle sounds is fixed at twenty-three, exclusive of the particular march of each regiment. These sounds are:

1. The generale.

2. The assembly

3. To the colour.

4. The troop.

5. Common time.

6. Quick time.

7. The charging step.

8. The reveille.

9. The retreat.

10. The disperse.

11. Bugler's call.

12. First sergeants' call.

13. Double quick march.

14. Run.

15. Halt

16. Forward march.

17. March in retreat.

18. By the right

       flank, march.

19. By the left

       flank, march.

20. Commence firing..

21. Cease firing.

22. Rally on the reserve.

23. Rally on the

       battalion.

Signals of the drum-major (or chief musician) for the principal beats and sounds.

1. The generale.

Extend the right arm, seize the staff at the middle, and raise the pommel to the height of the chin.

2. The assembly.

Extend the right arm, raise the staff about a foot from the ground, and place the thumb on the pommel.

3. To the colour.

Raise the staff perpendicularly, the ferrule upwards, the arm extended, and at the height of the shoulder.

4. The Troop

Raise the arm, turn the wrist inwards, so that the staff may be horizontally across the body as high as the chin

5. The long roll.

Put the staff on the right shoulder, the ferrule to the rear.

6. Common time.

Raise the arm, turn the wrist within, and place the staff horizontally across the body at the height of the chin.

7. Quick time.

Project the ferrule of the staff direct and horizontally to the front, the arm extended.

8. Double-quick time.

The same signal, with a brisk agitation of the staff.

9. The retreat

Carry the staff round, and hold it diagonally across the back.

10. Church call

Carry the pommel of the staff on the right shoulder

11. Run.

Raise the staff perpendicularly, the ferrule down, the arm extended at the height of the shoulder.

12. Fatigue

Take the staff by the tassel, and extend the arm as high as the shoulder

13. The roll.

Raise the staff in the left hand in the manner of the last signal.

14. To arms

Carry the staff on the left shoulder, the ferrule to the rear

Signals for the movement of the field music and band.

1st. To march by the right flank, take the staff at the middle and extend the arm to the right.

2d. To march by the left flank, make the same signal, extending the arm to the left.

3d. To diminish front, let the ferrule fall into the left hand, held as high as the eyes.

4th. To increase front, let the pommel of the staff fall into the left hand, held as high as the eyes.

5th. To change direction, turn half round to the drummers, and indicate to them, by a movement of the staff, to which side they are to wheel or turn.

6th. To oblique to the right, extend the right arm as high the shoulder, holding the staff slantingly, and grasp the ferrule, the left hand as high as the hip.

7th. To oblique to the left, make the contrary signal; the pommel of the staff will always indicate to which side the movement is to take place.

To ground drums

1. To put up drumsticks.

Grasp the staff under the pommel, and raise it as high as the eyes, extending the arm to the front.

2. To unsling drums.

Draw the pommel to the breast.

3. To ground drums.

The same signal as for putting up drumsticks.

1. To take up drums.

2. To suspend drums.

3. To draw out drumsticks.

Make the same signals with the staff as for putting up drumsticks, for detaching drums, and for grounding drums.

Instructions for the Corporal of Pioneers.

In column in maneuvre, the pioneers will be on the reverse flank, abreast with the right centre company.

In column in maneuvre, the pioneers will be on the reverse flank, abreast with the right centre company, except with the double column, when they will generally march in its rear.

In route marches, as also in the passing of defiles, to the front or rear, the pioneers will march six paces in front of the drummers. In route marches, all pioneers of a general column (column of several battalions) may be assembled at its head.

Pioneers and drummers may be designated as markers, and used accordingly, in the maneuvres and evolutions.