Tweet
In Hardtack and Coffee John D. Billings gives us a description of a typical day in camp (Chapter IX). He is careful to list all of the different calls (especially those pertaining to the light artillery) such as Reveille, Stable Call, Boots and Saddles, etc. The really interesting thing is that he quotes the little ditties that the troops supposedly made up to follow the notes. I won't quote all of these, since probably 90% of us own the book, but Stable Call goes like this:
Go to the stable, as quick as you're able,
And groom off your horses, and give them some corn;
For if you don't do it the captain will know it,
And then you will rue it, as sure as you're born. (p. 169)
I have never read of these drum and bugle call lyrics, and would be interested to hear if anyone else has seen them in other primary sources. For all I know, they could have predated the Civil War and were picked up by the volunteers. Also, does anyone know any that Billings doesn't list?
Go to the stable, as quick as you're able,
And groom off your horses, and give them some corn;
For if you don't do it the captain will know it,
And then you will rue it, as sure as you're born. (p. 169)
I have never read of these drum and bugle call lyrics, and would be interested to hear if anyone else has seen them in other primary sources. For all I know, they could have predated the Civil War and were picked up by the volunteers. Also, does anyone know any that Billings doesn't list?
Comment