The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1884-09-24
REGULATION Drum Beats.

The following is a curious list OF the
regulation drum beats in use:
The roll" is continuous rolling sound.
without the least inequality or intermis'
sion. 1t is produced by giving two taps
with the same stick alternately.
The :'swell" is only the roll, beat occa-
%sionally SO softly as scarcely to be heard,
and then increasing to the utmost OF the
performers strength, to die away again:
it is a merely ornamental beat, and
drummers arc fond of practicing 1t, as
the perfect rise and fall of the volume OF
sound is regarded as the very, very finest
art of drumming.
The "1am" is q beat made by the two
sticks almost at the same instant on the
head, but still so as to be heard sepa-
rately. 1t is used as a signal for various
evolutions, manpuvres and calls.
The "%rutfle" is a short roll, of at most
five or six seconds duration, beat very
closely and firmly, decreasing a little in
force just before it concludes, which 1t
does in an abrubt nj and with a
strong "ham."
BEAT for orders" is a peculiar mixture
of rolls, fans and single taps, beat at the
adjutant's quarters for assembling all per-
sons whose duty it is to receive the
"orders of the day."
The troop" is beat before the new
guards, ETC., about to march of from
their place of assembly to relieve others
from duty. 1t is also used at dress pm.
rades, when the band or drum corps, ut
the command of the adjutant, troop beat
of, march, playing some slow marching
tune, from their position on the right OF
the battalion to the extreme left Of the
line, where they wheel about and. chang
ing the music to a quickstep, return to
their post on the right.
The general" is to give notice to the
troops that they are to march.
The ASSEMBLY" or ''troop" is to order
the troop to repair to the place of rendcz'
vous, or to their colors.
The march," to command them to
move; always with the left foot first.
Tattoo" to order all to retire to their
quarters.
"To arms for soldiers who arc dis.
persed to repair to their arms.
The ''reveille," always beaten at break
of day to warn the soldiers to rise and the
sentincls to forbear challenging, and to
give leave to the men to come out OF
their quarters.
"Police CALL" to summons the men to
clean, or as it is termed, "police" the
camp. This is done every morning, just
after reveille.
"Sick CALL" for all invalids to repair
to the surgeon for treatment, and to be
excused from duty if unfit for it. This
call is the terror of skulkers and malin-
gerers.
Roast beef" the call to dinner.
"The retreat" a signal to draw off
from the enemy. 1t likewise means a
beat csinp or garrison a little before sun.
set, at which time the gates are shut and
the soldiers repair to their barracks.
"The ALARM or long roll, is to give
notice of sudden danger, that all may be
in readiness for immediate duty.
The "parley," or "chamade," a sig
nal to demand some conference with the
enemy.
"Long march," a beat formally used
in England, on the sound of which the
men dubbed their fire.locks and claimed
and used the liberty of talking all kinds
of ribaldry.
The "church call" called also "beat-
ing the banks beat to summon the
soldiers of a regiment or garrison to
church.
The "pioneers' CALL" known blythe ap.
relation of ttcuckolds come, dig" and
dating back to the English civil war OF
Cromwell's time. This is beaten in camp
to summon the pioneers to work.
"Peas upon a trencher," or the s'sup-
per call" beaten to summon the men to
supper.
The sergcants' call, q beat for calling
the sergeants together in the orderly
room, or, in camp, to the head of the
colors.
The drummer call, a beat to assem-
bic the drummers at the head of the
c%olors, or, in quarters, at the place where
1t is beaten.
The "preparation," a signal to make
ready for firing.
The drum also provides for a sort of
accompaniment with a tap for each note
OF the fife playing a march Or other air.
This is called the drag" The ''double
drag consists of two or three taps for
each note. The above list of drum music
is that used in the armies of all civilized
peoples, or was until the abolition of the
drum in the French army. 1t seems
strange, fer it was in the French service
that the drum attained its highest pitch
of warlike glory.