The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1905-08-01
PASSING OF THE DRUM.
French Army TO do Away With it's
Famous Dn1nrmers.
New York Tribune.

1nteligenCe mas Oeen received at
the war department in Washington
to the effect that the French military
authorities have decided to do away
altogether with the drum in the
French army. Gen. Biguet, in a re-
port on the subject, concludes that
the drum is serious incumbrance in
marching. and that its usefulness is
impaired in wet weather BY rain
shrinking the sheepskin. He urges
the impossibility, even under favor
able circumstances. OF Distinguishing
drum calls and signals: he says it re-
qulres three years instructions to
make good drummer, and the fact
that two drummerS are now attached
to each OF the five thousand infantry
companies in the French army de-
qrlveS the fighting strength OF the
country cf 10000 men. being the
equivalent .; division, which. in an
emergency might decide a battle.
These conclusions are approved by
the French ministry OF war. Thus
The drum. with all it's traditional
glories, will soon become a relic Of
the past, at least so iar as the French
army IS concerned. This is the Sec
ond time within the last twenty-five
years that the drum has been abolish
ed in the French army. Gen. Fare,
then minister OF war, who also abol-
lshed tie corps Of cuirassiers, dis
pensed with It some years ago. only
20 re-establish it in the service few
years afte-ward Our own military
authorities may decide to submit the
matter TO practical tests, but it does
not seem at all likely. from present
indications, that the Washington war
department will follow the example of
TIE French army and banisE the
drum from the army.
The history OF this most venerable
OF all instruments is interesting. The
drum-or, rather, rude substitute for
what we know by that name-has
from time immemorial been the favor
lte instrument OF all barbarous tribes.
The scalp dances OF the Indian and
the war chants OF the Tartars are
measured by its beats: it is, as it has
been. a chief factor in the merry
making and the mourning OF savages,
for whom neither art nor nature as
yet possesses sweeter sounds. Sixteen
hundred years before the Christian
era there is clear record Of the Egyp-
tians having possessed drums. They
doubtless obtained them from the
east, for in Hindostan their legendary
history goes back tC the mystic gloom
Of tradition. The Greeks ascribed its
invention to Bacchus. In Asia the
drum was an inseparable attribute OF
every aristocratic household. Magnif-
icent kettledrums Of polished metal,
borne on splendidly caparisoned
steeds, followed the great man on his
journeys and campaigns. Savage
chiefs made their marches to the
harsh thun1p Of rude drums fashioned
of burned-out logs, with a sheepskin
over the end, and braids and festoons
Of the enemies teeth, and even skulls
dangling from them. by way OF orna-
nent. In the Aztec temples were
found war drums. which the priests
beat to call the people to arms as by
a tocsin, made 81 serpents' skins and
enriched with rude iiligrees and other
ornaments OF gold
The pages OF military history are
filled with examples Of the bravery OF
musicians, and among them the drum
mers have always taken foremos.
place. The records of the French
army present the greatest number OF
such instances, but the armies Of 9th
er nations bear also on their rolls OF
honor the names of many heroic drum
mers. In the annals Of our own land
many examples of gallant conduct by
drummers and filters may be found
On that memorable morning of June