Field Music during the War of 1812

The Fort McHenry Guard

During the War of 1812, the Field Music-- a unit of the army made up of fife and drum musicians-- served a central role in the day-to-day lives of the soldiers at Fort McHenry. The fifes and drums dictated every aspect of the daily routine playing all duties, calls, and signals. The music told the soldiers when to get up, when to eat, go for provisions or water, drill, and when to retire for the night. The Field Music also provided calls to gather the soldiers, or just the non-commissioned officers, or just the officers. Each soldier was expected to know what each call meant, and to respond to it immediately.

Music also served an essential part of the ceremonial routines of the day, such as for the morning (“Troop”) and evening (“Retreat”) musters. At these times, soldiers assembled, rolls were taken, and orders of the day were read. At the Troop, the garrison flag was raised and at the Retreat it was taken down.

The practice of the Field Music was strictly regulated to particular times of the day, so that the soldiers would not mistake their music for actual duty calls. The regulations warned "...any drummer found beating at any other time, except when ordered, shall be punished" (Smyth's Manual, 1812).

The Field Music of the Fort McHenry Guard represents those of the US Corps of Artillery. They wore the same uniform and trimmings, but in reverse colors. Early in the War of 1812, the uniform of the US Army musicians had blue cuffs collars and red coatees. By 1814 musicians of the US Army in order to be quickly identified, were issued all Red Coatees with white trim for Infantry and Yellow trim for Artillery. This would help the Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers (Sergeants and Corporals) find the musicians to play calls or signals such as "Sound the Alarm" or "Break Camp."

Interesting facts:
• When the soldiers marched, the Field Music would play to provide cadence for the troops and to raise morale.
• What songs were popular in 1814? The field music would normally play the unofficial National songs of the time, Yankee Doodle and Hail Columbia.

The Fort McHenry Guard is a living history program at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, a unit of the National Park Service. The program is comprised of volunteers who provide visitors with a touchstone to the past. The Guard represents the soldiers of Fort McHenry and the citizens of Baltimore from the War of 1812 through the Second World War.
Listen to an example of field music by the Fort McHenry Guard.

Text from: http://fortmchenryguard.blogspot.com/p/field-music.html