Weapons for Buglers

[alsrx]

Did buglers carry weapons? Were they issued side arms, rifles, or swords?

Al McGalliard

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Weapons for Buglers

Hallo!

Infantry or cavalry? Bandsman or line?

In brief, and to over generalize...

IMHO, the expressed "ideal" is the 1865 QM photo study:



Period images show a variety, and it can be hard or impossible to ascertain intent or what is the bugler's and what is a photographer's martial prop. Meaning, there are image sof buglers holding a bugle for their sitting but also have a "naked" revolver in hand or stuck under their belt or even between coat or jacket buttons. Or are posing with a musician's sword, and no waistbelt of any kind. Plus the issue of studio versus camp versus field images.

I have a personal bias or opinion, that while a bandsman may not need, to use the modern term, a "personal defense weapon," a front line bugler would likely benefit from one at times.

Others' mileage will vary...

Curt

[Silas]

Re: Weapons for Buglers

Seems to me this was discussed recently on another forum : http://www.cwreenactors.com/forum/sh...d-self-defense but I could be mistaken.

[GrumpyDave]

Re: Weapons for Buglers

by the time a bugler would need a weapon, there'd be plenty lying around.

[alsrx]

Re: Weapons for Buglers

Thanks for the responses. I'm learning how to search the forums better now.

[lwtaggart]

Re: Weapons for Buglers

Al,
A great reference you may wish to take a look at is by Dennis M. Keesee, "Too Young To Die, Boy Soldiers of the Union Army 1861-1865". It is filled with images of young field musicians and there histories with the Union Army. As mentioned, some images shown with weapons probably served as props. Great question!

George Taggart

[Jboring]

Re: Weapons for Buglers

There is a specific reference large green Berdan's Sharpshooters history of a bugler carrying his rifle with him. Of course the amount of time spent skirmishing may have made this a wise choice. I'm at work right now, but I can get the specific reference when I get home.

v/r

EDIT:

http://books.google.com/books?id=rJ4vAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA16&lpg=PA16&dq=berdan%27s+sharpshooters+army+of+the+potomac&source=bl&ots=u6MQ-2kNGn&sig=aj1XuMqFYWFoKHq_XO9rclwKvLo&hl=en&sa=X&ei=5wgPUY7MI9GQyQHKoIGYDQ&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Morse&f=false

[Johnny Lloyd]

Re: Weapons for Buglers

This kind of topic is a good one, I think, since it falls into that 'ideal/actual' category. In my research study for Perryville where I was the SgtMaj for a Federal regiment, I had the option of carrying a rifle or a pistol and sword. The regulations of the time provided no guidance on what was ACTUALLY carried on the field, so I had to do some reading. Many SgtsMaj preferred to carry a rifle in order to be like their fellow enlisted man, but many also carried the NCO sword/pistol combo and wore their sash. So, I'd imagine ths is like it is with a musician: you had what regs said they could carry, but actuality might be different on the pragmatic side. My advice: research (1st person accounts), think what givens your unit might be under (supply situation, garrison, hard campaign etc.) and what might be available and leverage from there.