Bugle Calls

[mtvernon]

Hello,

Reading another thread here, I realized I don't really know all I could about the various bugle calls used by the old boys. I looked around the web a little and found a few sites that had some clunky means of hearing them, but what I was looking for was a soundboard where you could 'drill' yourself easily and, by repetition, learn these calls.

Does anyone know of a site that features something like this? The reason I don't really know them is that we don't use bugles all that much, but I'd like to know them for my own edification, and in the happy event I attend a Rich Mountain level event someday (hope, hope), I'd like to know them for utility's sake.

Respectfully,

[dedogtent]

JC, I was just in Gettysburg last weekend and found a nice little music book put out by Mel Bay. I get rusty on bugle calls too so I purchased the book which also has a CD included. Commentary and bugle calls by George Rabbai. There are 49 bugle calls on the CD...very well done and only $15.00. Maybe you can find it for less online. The book is called 'Infantry bugle calls from the American Civil War'.

[DougCooper]

JC, I was just in Gettysburg last weekend and found a nice little music book put out by Mel Bay. I get rusty on bugle calls too so I purchased the book which also has a CD included. Commentary and bugle calls by George Rabbai. There are 49 bugle calls on the CD...very well done and only $15.00. Maybe you can find it for less online. The book is called 'Infantry bugle calls from the American Civil War'.

This is the single best source I have found as well. Listen to it in your car while commuting. Usually gets some amused looks in the drive through :)

Repetition, repetition, repetition.

[bholt61stny]

I agree with everyone about the book/cd. That was one of the first things I picked up when I started out and since I played the trumpet I thought it would be interesting to learn how to play the calls. It gives a description of when the calls are played and what they mean. I highly recommend it.

[Randy]

Yep, George Rabbai's tutorial is excellent. Listen to the CD over and over while driving. And take note of his descriptions of the calls. He has admirably remained faithful to the way they were originally laid out in Casey's Manual.

[mtvernon]

Thanks, everyone. I will definitely go check that out. I wonder if it's ever been posted as a soundboard online somewhere with any accuracy? That would be pretty helpful as well.

Thanks again,

[Nevada Bugler]

Yep, George Rabbai's tutorial is excellent. Listen to the CD over and over while driving. And take note of his descriptions of the calls. He has admirably remained faithful to the way they were originally laid out in Casey's Manual.

Well, George Rabbais book may be taken from Caseys, but Caseys apparently wasn't used much. Several of the calls in this 'Bugle Calls' book are not like any other I have ever seen. I've looked at Jari Villaneuvas material, I've looked at the printed bugle call plates from the 1860 Manual of Artillery Instruction, I've even found a couple of R.J. Samps examples and NONE match up to what I see in George Rabbais book.

As an example, his call for 'attention' consists of four measures (with a pickup note into the first measure). Every other reference has a totally different call consisting of only two measures, of two repeating sets of eigth notes.

The call 'To the Color' in Georges' book is completely unrecognizable. I have never seen or heard anything like it anywhere else. The 1860 Manual of Artillery Instruction has the same one that is used on Army posts today which sounds nothing like what's in the 'Bugle Calls' book.

'Assembly of the Buglers' is the supposed to be the same call that you hear today to call horses at the racetrack. Georges' book has a call in it that is completely different.

I have printed off Army and Navy Manuals from the late 1800's and early 1900's and the calls that are in them are the same as in , for example, the 1860 Manual of Artillery Instruction. I just don't know where George pulled these calls from. Someone mentioned Caseys manual, which I haven't seen but apparently the CW Army didn't follow Caseys. :confused:

I'll hunt up some of the links I have which have sound examples. Most of the calls heard today are not much different from what was used then.

[flattop32355]

Keep in mind that there were separate calls for each branch of the military; infantry, cavalry, artillery. While there is some overlap, they are not identical. Mr. Rabbai was only doing infantry calls.

[Nevada Bugler]

Mods, I apologize for no signature on that last post. My 'puter came up with the 'an error has been encountered and Explorer needs to shut down', and it did shut down!

I don't want to sound like I'm flaming George Rabbis book, but I just don't understand why what he has is so different from what I'm finding elsewhere.

Here's a link to the 1860 Manual of Instruction For Field Artillery. Many of the calls in here are what you would hear today on an army post and they aren't the same as in Georges book:

http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=moa;idno=AJR6616.0001.001

The bugle calls are at the end of the book, in a section with no page numbers.

Then, you have Mr. Villanueva who has at this next link listed 20 Bugle Calls from Uptons 1874 Manual. Again, when the same calls are listed between this list and the Artillery Instruction manual, they are the same. But they don't agree with Georges' book.

http://www.buglecall.org/Links.html

go to this link and then click on '20 Bugle Calls'.

Then, go to this old Navy Bugle Manual and again, you find calls that have been the same from the Artillery Manual, to Uptons and then this manual:

http://www.history.navy.mil/library/online/bugle.htm#ch6

And the same calls are used today:

http://bands.army.mil/music/bugle/default.asp

So, can somebody explain why George Rabbais calls are so very different? Why would Caseys' be regarded as authentic when it clearly wasn't the only manual during the CW, and the calls in it weren't continued after the CW?

_______________________
Bill Scott
Hardaways Alabama Battery
Comstock Civil War Reenactors

[Horton]

I also have George Rabbai's Cd and I think it is very good. I dont get to make it to many "Authintic events" so I was wondering if their was a good repersentation of field music at these events. I have read some AARs that have been posted but I dont ever remember any of them saying that "it was good to wake up by the bugle" or "the fifer and drummer did an excellent job". Sorry if it seemed like I am trying to change the subject a little bit but the question just hit me. Is their as much attentioned directed towards learning the proper bugle or drum calls as their is to I dunno say proper stitch count? I am glad that you are taking an interest in learning Mr. Marti.

[Nevada Bugler]

Keep in mind that there were separate calls for each branch of the military; infantry, cavalry, artillery. While there is some overlap, they are not identical. Mr. Rabbai was only doing infantry calls.

No, that's not correct. Mr. Rabbais' book has the general camp calls as well. I know as I'm looking at a copy of it. What Mr. Rabbai has for the camp calls does not match up to any other list of calls that I can find.

_________________
Bill Scott
Hardaways Alabama Battery
Comstock Civil War Reenactors

[Nevada Bugler]

Is their as much attentioned directed towards learning the proper bugle or drum calls as their is to I dunno say proper stitch count?

That's something I would like to know as well. I attended some of the small, local encampments when I lived in Ohio and I don't remember ever hearing a bugle. Now that I'm back out west, buglers are also rare. You'll occasionally find somebody that will try to play a handful of the infantry calls, but I've never seen a regular schedule of camp calls played. And that is something I would like to change.

I would guess that part of the reason is that the bugle is a tough instrument to play well. I would guess that most who do play it well would be trumpet players. Adults who are both very good trumpet players AND interested in re-enacting would be fairly rare. I'm hoping I can help a couple of 'bugle-boys' improve and train some other youngsters to play.

At the last encampement there were several youngsters that were really interested in the bugle. They said that they had never heard anything like it and wanted to know what it was (most guessed some sort of trumpet) and was it hard to play? :)
__________________________________________
Bill Scott
Hardaways Alabama Battery
Comstock Civil War Reenactors

[hiplainsyank]

So, can somebody explain why George Rabbais calls are so very different? Why would Caseys' be regarded as authentic when it clearly wasn't the only manual during the CW, and the calls in it weren't continued after the CW?

_______________________
Bill Scott
Hardaways Alabama Battery
Comstock Civil War Reenactors

Sir-

The reason that Rabbais' calls are so different is that the calls you are citing are either for other branches (cavalry or artillery) or post-1872 calls (after Upton).

The calls that Casey's uses were not invented by Casey but were printed just the same in Hardee's pre-war manual. There were calls for infantry, artillery and cavalry, with few repeats between the branches. When Upton redid the army manual in '72 he decided on one set of calls for all branches of the army. The way they would be discerned in the field would be by the appropriate unit prelude.

Other than the period manuals themselves, which print the HArdee's calls for each branch, an easy to access example of many of the calls is found in Billings' HArdtack and Coffee, who includes music for both the infantry and the artillery.

If you wish to learn more about Civil War bugling, please contact me and I will put you in contact with RJ Samp, the First Federal Division Bugler, and one of the chief reenacting buglers in the country. Seeing you bugle Confederate, if you wish he could put you in touch with regular Confederate buglers.

[Nevada Bugler]

The calls that Casey's uses were not invented by Casey but were printed just the same in Hardee's pre-war manual. There were calls for infantry, artillery and cavalry, with few repeats between the branches.

...with few repeats between the branches. Do you mean the calls for manuevering in the field? Or the camp calls? or both? Because I'm finding calls that have the same title, but totally different music.

When Upton redid the army manual in '72 he decided on one set of calls for all branches of the army. The way they would be discerned in the field would be by the appropriate unit prelude.

Why would the Army reject virtually every Infantry call that had been used by it's forces and go instead with the Cavalry and Artillery calls? I'm not saying you're not correct, but if that's true then there is a heck of a story out there waiting to be written.

I have R.J. Samps e-mail and I guess I'll have to write him and see if he can unravel this tangled web.

__________________________
Bill Scott
Hardaways Alabama Battery
Comstock Civil War Reenactors

[hiplainsyank]

YEs, the signals were totally different for the different branches.

REveille is one example of overlap. IT was the same for both Infantry and ARtillery, and is the only modern bugle call Civil War infrantrymen would have recognized. For cavalry, however, it is is a very long song with tempo changes, ad libbing, and awful high notes at times.

Assembly for artillery and cav was the same, but different for infantry.

You need to get a complete copy of all the Civil War bugle calls from all branches, and not worry about the other ones you've looked at for now.

[Ringgold]

Bill,

I don't know how many times this has to be said until you actually believe it, but they did truly use different calls for the different branches of the land service. If you are having trouble accepting this proven fact, then this extra tidbit may actually blow your mind - sometimes the different branches even used bugles of different keys. (C and Bflat being the most popular)

What occured in the services in the decades following the Rebellion most often has very little relevance on what they followed during the 1860's.

Research can be fun and actually teach you things that fly in the face of "popular logic and history."

Yours in the red-stripe,

[Nevada Bugler]

You need to get a complete copy of all the Civil War bugle calls from all branches, and not worry about the other ones you've looked at for now.

O.K., and where would I get these copies? I have one manual that is for the artillery. I guess what you're saying is that Rabbai's is authentic for the infantry. Where would I find a Cavalry manual? And what do you do when you have a camp that has a mix of Inf., Cav and Arty? Which camp calls would you use? :confused:

_______________________________
Bill Scott
Hardaways Alabama Battery
Comstock Civil War Reenactors

[Nevada Bugler]

I don't know how many times this has to be said until you actually believe it, but they did truly use different calls for the different branches of the land service. If you are having trouble accepting this proven fact, then this extra tidbit may actually blow your mind - sometimes the different branches even used bugles of different keys. (C and Bflat being the most popular)

I know that they used different calls in the field. I asked you if they also used different calls in camp, and you haven't given me an answer. HiplainsYank is saying that BOTH the camp and field calls for the different branches of service were different---do you agree?

And yes, I know that different branches used bugles in different keys. Some of the Cav. even used what look like English Hunting horns which were keyed in 'G'. Of course, a number of the 'C' bugles could be changed to Bb with a 'pigtail' put between the leadpipe and mouthpiece. I don't have a problem with knowing what instruments were used. The problem is the music and the lack of indepth information on any of the CW forums about the various calls.

Maybe the folks on this thread can begin to change that............
-------------------------------------
Bill Scott
Hardaways Alabama Battery
Comstock Civil War Reenactors

[J.H.Berger]

Comrade,
look for "The Civil War Bugler" Volumes I&II by Jerry
Pollard. Fall Creek has it I think.
There are all calls in there as nores and on tape. Only rally by section and rally by platoon are different from Rabbai's perhaps Casey had changed these two.
Unfortunately there are no explanation to the calls in this one but Rabbai gives valuable info there.

Bugles for infantry pitched in C and Trumpets for Cav and I also believe Arty pitched in G were issued with three different sized pigtail crooks!
Mostly you see the small Bb one . But the larger ones can be seen on originals and pictures too.

Hope this helps!

[Nevada Bugler]

Thanks J.H., that helps a lot! I was wondering about some of those larger pig tails I had seen in pictures. I thought my eyes were deceiving me but I guess not.


------------------------------
Bill Scott
Hardaways Alabama Battery
Comstock Civil War Reenactors

[bholt61stny]

"I know that they used different calls in the field. I asked you if they also used different calls in camp"


Yes there are different camp calls between infantry and cavalry.

In Hardee's Rifle and Light Infantry Tactics here are some of the calls under General Calls: Attention, The general, The assembly, To the color, The recall, Quick Time, Double quick time, The charge, The reveille, Retreat, Tattoo, To extinguish lights, assembly of the buglers, Assembly of the guard, Orders for orderly sergeants, For officers to take their places in line after firing, The disperse, Officer's call, Breakfast call, Dinner call, Sick call, Fatigue call, Church call, Drill call, School call.

In Cooke's The 1862 U.S. Cavalry Tactics here are some of the calls: The General, Boots and Saddles, To Horse, Assembly, To Arms, To the Standard, March, The Charge, Rally, Reveille, Stable Call, Watering Call, Breakfast, Assembly of Guard, Orders, Assembly of Buglers, Retreat, Fatigue Call, Dinner Call, Distributions, Drill Call, Officers Call, The Recall, Sick Call, Tattoo, To Extinguish Lights.

The only call that is the same on the above lists is To Extinguish Lights. Yes they had the same title but they were completely different. I left out Calls for Skirmishers, but they are also different from each other ecept for change direction to the left and change direction to the right. Everything else that are in those two manuals I named are different. Most modern day bugle calls come from the Artillery and Cavalry.

[Nevada Bugler]

Thank you Brian, for that succinct summary. Now the picture is becoming clearer! But, does anybody know why the artillery and cavalry calls were chosen over the infantry? There must be a good story somewhere as to why....

________________________
Bill Scott
Hardaways Alabama Battery
Comstock Civil War Reenactors

[flattop32355]

Which camp calls would you use?

When you're doing infantry, you use the infantry calls. When doing cavalry, do cavalry calls. When doing artillery, do artillery calls.

A reason many of the calls are different is because one set doesn't fit all branches; infantry has no reason to have a call for watering/feeding horses, for example. Also, maneuvers for each branch are different, and some camp calls double as calls in the field (To the Color and Recall, to name just two).

Know and use the calls for the branch you are doing. If you only do infantry, then you only need to know the infantry calls.

[hiplainsyank]

Nevada-

How long have you been a reenactor? If you do not know what results the calls are supposed to bring about it would be hard to understand them.

Here is what I suggest:

*Read Billings' Hardtack and Coffee, particularly the chapter on bugle calls; he talks about both the infantry and the artillery. IT is also a good place to start.

*Get hold of the music, as previously mentioned, and look at how there are three sets of calls, each listed in its separate branch section, and study them. See how they are the same and differ from each other.

*Through doing other research such as reading drill manuals, and finding those places on the internet which show these commands being carried out, learn what the troops are supposed to do when each call is blown.

*Better yet, serve as a rifleman/artillerist and learn to execute the commands yourself.

*Go to cwreenactors.com and join the site, and then use the search function to read everything you can about bugle calls there. The last time I checked there was a lot of excellent bugle material there.

There is just too much to explain here. It will take a lot of time to learn everything, but it will be worth it.

Good luck.

[hiplainsyank]

oh, and what camp calls you use will depend on your commanding officer, and what he wants to do.

[hoppes9]

Chow calls are popular, as are Reveille, Tattoo and Taps (To Extinguish Lights for early war reenactments). Officer's and First Sergeant’s calls are mandatory. Cavalry should learn the watering and feeding calls. Boots and Saddles is useful as a get-up-and-go call. Artillery "Nosebags On" sounds a little like the flourish played for Generals when they appear in camp, so it can be useful at times.

[SC Jay]

Yes, the ACW camp calls and field calls are different for Arty Cav and Inf, however the Cav and Arty have many that are the same. They were combined in Upton's 1867 and 1874 manuals. Truman Seymore did most of the writing and was an Artillery Officer hence the arty calls that are used today (and 1874). Some of the rally calls are different between Caseys and Hardees but all the usefull ones are the same. Jerry Pollard's tape is a good one for all the calls but does not include Cav skirmish calls and 3 of the arty calls are incorrect and he doesn't Taps as it is written. The Inf calls are mostly copied from Scotts 1836 which was copied from the French. R J Samp (rjsamp@ameritech.net) has training tapes and books for all 3 branches. Get on the bugler Yahoo site and come to the Don Hubbard field music school at Ft Delaware.
Jay Walker, bugler
Bachman's Battery
German Artillery