Knowing the Bugle Calls

[flattop32355]

One of the most common things Civil War infantry soldiers would have known is the bugle calls for camp and skirmish.

With two calls being repeats between the general calls and skirmish calls (Quick Time and Double Quick Time), and the gradual replacement of "To Extinguish Lights" with "Taps" during 1862, there are 48 infantry bugle calls to learn.

How well do you know them?

[Andrew Kasmar]

Re: Knowing the Bugle Calls

Hi,

I have been using Armory Guards website to learn the bugle calls http://www.armoryguards.org/ . I have not learned very many yet, but their site has been a great help. To get to the bugle calls, go under their research link and then click on "bugle calls".

[Indianabugles]

Re: Knowing the Bugle Calls

I know about 18 and have taught my society about 10. Work in progress!!

[Ken]

Re: Knowing the Bugle Calls

Get Infantry Bugle Calls of The Civil War by George Rabbai. Best way to Learn and most importantly the calls are played correctly!

[Hardtack Herring]

Re: Knowing the Bugle Calls

Please help me understand the Bugle Call Forward March and Halt.

When the verbal command is given Forward march......Forward is the prep command and march is the execution command.... The men step off on the left foot at the end of the execution command.

That is when we the Fife and Drum Corps start to play and move. If the command has already been executed and the men are moving what is the point of the bugle call Forward March?

I understand that Regiments were large and a voice command may not be heard by the whole regiment.

If only the bugle call Forward March is sounded and no verbal order forward march is given when would the men start to move? After the last note of the call?

Also if a verbal command Forward March is given and then sounded by the bugle when would the soldiers start to march? At the end of the execution command march? I doubt this question can be answered as it could be argued all day long.

Same for the halt.... If the bugle call Halt is played when would the men halt? On the last note of the call? Would the leading company halt on the verbal command halt and the bugle call would inform the last companys of the regiment that there was halt?

As fifers and drummers we would halt on the verbal command Halt and if we were in the middle of a strain we would halt and continue playing until the strain is finished.

What I am asking is when to start marching when a bugle call Forward march is played as well as well as when to halt when the bugle command halt is given.

Would a verbal command forward march or halt would be carried out by the soldiers before the bugle call. My guess is yes that the bugle call was used for soldiers that were out of earshot from the verbal command.

I hope my questions are clear.

I think it would be cool to hear the bugle command Forward March, and The Fife and Drum Corps starts to play and steps off on the LAST note of the bugle call. I want to make sure this is how it was done....What sounds and seems cool is not the way to do things. I prefer to do things the way they were really done.

I would prefer a reference to a manual rather than a bunch of replies my unit does it like this.....Then of course that may be an authentic answer as Regiments at times did thing different than other Regiments.

Thank you,

[Dale Beasley]

Re: Knowing the Bugle Calls

I know the one's that tell you to get up, eat, sleep, and charge.

[flattop32355]

Re: Knowing the Bugle Calls

So far, an almost perfect bell curve.

[Hardtack Herring]

Re: Knowing the Bugle Calls

Mr. Biederman,

Do you have an answer to my questions?

[flattop32355]

Re: Knowing the Bugle Calls

Mr. Biederman,
Do you have an answer to my questions?

I did not realize the questions were directed to me personally, rather than to forum members as a whole. My apologies for the misunderstanding.

No, I don't have the answer, at least not completely. I was hoping R.J. or Jari would be available to give a more complete response. I know the calls, but there are aspects of their execution that still are a mystery to me.

I am aware that, in reenacting, one often hears the Preparatory command vocalized, then the Bugle call, then the vocal "March". Whether this is a reenactorism or standard procedure of the time is unknown to me. My general opinion is that anything above regimental level, and quite probably there too, the officer in charge would turn to the Bugler and make his wishes known in a normal voice (provided there is a call for the command), and the bugler would sound the call. I suspect no vocal command was made above company level in these cases, but that is mere speculation. I've seen no evidence one way or another.

I also am aware that for a number of maneouver commands, the execution begins after the last note of the call is sounded. I've seen no evidence that this is true for all the skirmish calls (Halt, Commence/Cease Firing, Lie Down, etc.), however.

With the seemingly present lack of authority on the subject, my personal advice would be to discover how the commanding officer gives his commands. If he follows the Bugle call with a verbal "March", that's when to start playing. If he relies solely on the Bugler to make his wishes known, and you are not already playing, I'd start from the last note of the call.

Sorry I can't be of more help. As I said, I know the calls, but am still vexed as to how some are executed. It is a whole 'nother subject from learning the calls.

[Hardtack Herring]

Re: Knowing the Bugle Calls

Thanks for your response Mr. Biederman.

At first my post was to the general forum but it seemed to me you were fallowing the thread more than others at this time.

The way you explained it is pretty much the same feeling that I have as well.

Hopefully Jari or RJ will be by soon! Maybe they can shed more light on the subject.

[J.H.Berger]

Re: Knowing the Bugle Calls

Please help me understand the Bugle Call Forward March and Halt.

When the verbal command is given Forward march......Forward is the prep command and march is the execution command.... The men step off on the left foot at the end of the execution command.

That is when we the Fife and Drum Corps start to play and move. If the command has already been executed and the men are moving what is the point of the bugle call Forward March?

I understand that Regiments were large and a voice command may not be heard by the whole regiment.

If only the bugle call Forward March is sounded and no verbal order forward march is given when would the men start to move? After the last note of the call?

Also if a verbal command Forward March is given and then sounded by the bugle when would the soldiers start to march? At the end of the execution command march? I doubt this question can be answered as it could be argued all day long.

Same for the halt.... If the bugle call Halt is played when would the men halt? On the last note of the call? Would the leading company halt on the verbal command halt and the bugle call would inform the last companys of the regiment that there was halt?

As fifers and drummers we would halt on the verbal command Halt and if we were in the middle of a strain we would halt and continue playing until the strain is finished.

What I am asking is when to start marching when a bugle call Forward march is played as well as well as when to halt when the bugle command halt is given.

Would a verbal command forward march or halt would be carried out by the soldiers before the bugle call. My guess is yes that the bugle call was used for soldiers that were out of earshot from the verbal command.

I hope my questions are clear.

I think it would be cool to hear the bugle command Forward March, and The Fife and Drum Corps starts to play and steps off on the LAST note of the bugle call. I want to make sure this is how it was done....What sounds and seems cool is not the way to do things. I prefer to do things the way they were really done.

I would prefer a reference to a manual rather than a bunch of replies my unit does it like this.....Then of course that may be an authentic answer as Regiments at times did thing different than other Regiments.

Thank you,

Comrades it is pretty simple. The execution of a command given by the bugle should be after the last sound of the bugle. this is how it written in the manuals and of course it makes sense. There were certainly occasions where the troops did not bother to wait, the charge for instance as it takes quite a while till this one is finished but the moving and direction calls were certainly meant that way.

[NM1859]

Re: Knowing the Bugle Calls

Sirs,

Jan is correct. To start a column of troops, the bugler will sound 'Forward March' twice. The first is to alert the formation and the second is the execution signal. Upon hearing the last note of the second signal, the troops will step off on their left foot and begin to march.

During the march out to one 140th Antietam'battles', I sounded bugle signals for the brigade CO for a column that stretched from the RR tracks back into Federal camp (nearly 1/2 mile) and was able to stop and start it by bugle signals alone. However, like the reminisces of the original soldiers, I clearly could see the 'accordian effect' as the nearby troops immediately halted while those further back were still in motion. I attributed this effect to not having buglers posted in the following regiments to echo the signal, or the delay of officers hearing/issuing commands. Either way, it was a very impressive sight to see, a 'magic moment' for this bugler. Also, the brigade officer appreciated not having to strain his voice.

If the column is temporarily stopped, the bugle can be sounded once to alert the men to commence marching again (I did this alot during that particular march). I will typically sound the 2-Forwards at the beginning of marches or to initiate a march after a rest period. Otherwise, I play the signal once. Likewise, I play 'halt' twice if there is going to be a prolonged rest, and once if a temporary stop.

Skirmishers have more leeway when responding to bugle signals for movement--which makes sense if your line comes under fire. I typically have sounded Forward and Halt on the skirmish line only once (if engaged)--the skirmishers understand what the signal is and respond with celerity.

During April's Malvern Hill/Glendale event, the Randolf Mess portrayed Co. 'F' 1st USSS and conducted their entire demonstration by bugle signal (Forward/ Halt, Deploy as Skrimishers, Commence/Cease Firing, Lie Down/Stand up, Recall/Rally on the Battn, Assemble on the Battn, etc) alone. Everybody who witnessed the demonstrations were amazed-"I didn't know they did that during the CW?!!" was the typical comment.

I learned bugle signals by listening to Geo Rabbai and RJ Samp's tapes (usually driving to/from work). Nowdays I listen, talk and play with other buglers at events. Oh, and Jari Villanueva is one of the best buglers out there (if you do your counting with four fingers missing). With the right kind of ear, you will be able to (just like musically astute veterans from the CW) detect which bugler is playing --each of them have their own unique 'signature'/playing style.


Bill Skillman
Randolf Mess-USSS

[IowaYank]

Re: Knowing the Bugle Calls

If we are talking cavalry calls, I know most of them. Infantry calls are definately an area I need to brush up on though!!

[flattop32355]

Re: Knowing the Bugle Calls

However, like the reminisces of the original soldiers, I clearly could see the 'accordian effect' as the nearby troops immediately halted while those further back were still in motion. I attributed this effect to not having buglers posted in the following regiments to echo the signal, or the delay of officers hearing/issuing commands.

It can also be a result of the column stringing out, and when the call to halt is sounded, the commanders have the men close up immediately then halt, rather than halt them in place, then moving them up.

[RJSamp]

Re: Knowing the Bugle Calls

It can also be a result of the column stringing out, and when the call to halt is sounded, the commanders have the men close up immediately then halt, rather than halt them in place, then moving them up.

The commander should cause the bugler(s) to sound the ATTENTION, 1 minute prior to the halt. This will have the drums beat the cadence, the men take up the step, Captains to the front of their company, and the correct alignment/spacing resumed. You then cause the bugler to sound the HALT, immediately stopping when you hear the last note. That helps with the Accordion effect.....unfortunately choke points, cross traffic, fatigue, pacing differences, et al all contribute to the hurry up and wait accordion effect of trying to move thousands of men, wagons, guns, and horses down a 'road'. Your mileage will vary....

I just got back from a local reenactment......maybe will post more in the next day or two....suffice it to say you act on MOST bugle calls when they end......and no need for hearing a voice command or echoing commands if the command is heard (whether it's by voice or bugle).

Gait commands (Charge, Quick, Double Quick) and most camp calls don't require you to wait to the last note..... if To Extinguish Lights (Taps) are to be sounded at 10:00 PM.....no one is going to shoot you (or give you a punishment detail) if you snuff your candle out at 9:55, during the bugle call, or a minute after the call is ended.

Casey's is the only Infantry manual where Forward is sounded twice....and for all we know the DC al Coda (repeat) in the music is an error. In regiment's/brigades/Divisions where I bugle, we move forward on ONE Time through....the guides and colors/guard moving forward at the end of the first stanza....and having an ear out for a Right/Left flank call...... if you unit is a Gilham's, Hardee's, Scott's kind of unit, Forward is only one time through.....