What did the musicians in the military do in combat?

Question

So everyone knows how the drummers, buglers, and fifes played stuff to help their side in battle (think revolutionary war), and that it's bad etiquette to shoot at them. What did they do after the two sides got into combat (especially when they got into the whole hand to hand combat and bayoneting) part? Just stand around? march onwards unheeding the opposing side? conveniently move a little behind the line?

Answer 1

I starred your question to see what other interesting responses would appear, but so far there are none...so I'll add my two cents.

The primary purpose of the musicians in the military (talking armed land conventional forces) was for communication, to signal orders up and down the battle lines. Bugle calls (such as "advance" and "retreat") are well know. Drum beats also had a similar purpose. Marching to and from the battlefield, the musicians would play to keep morale up and to provide cadence for the march.

Different armies have trained musicians differently. Sometimes they were volunteers and untrained as soldiers. Othertimes they were soldiers chosen for their talents, and as such, could be used to fight. Mostly, they were kept in a staff supportive postion, akin to the field doctors, chaplains, yeomen, and legal counsels.

Anyone else have insight?

Answer 2

Carlisle- I still see him as a doctor. But physically fixing people isn't a huge time commitment, so the Cullens could pull up and move out at any point. If he had the chance, just to try something new, he might go into psychology, investing his time into someone's life emotionally, which takes a lot more time and commitment. But then again, seeing that he's a gorgeous vampire and dedicated to Esme, that might cause problems. But I can see him attempting it, to see the other side of health. Esme- She restores houses, now. I think if she could, she'd also spend time with children. When she was human, she was a teacher for a while. I think her mothering instincts are strong enough that she would really want to work with children. Maybe becoming a preschool teacher, or opening up a daycare with Rosalie. Edward- He's really hard. Maybe he wouldn't become a famous concert pianist, but a famous composer. That would be suitably behind-the-scenes for him, don't you think? He doesn't like attention, never did. Old habits die hard. Alice- I can also see Alice as a planner of some sort, coordinating parties, receptions, weddings, reunions... I think she'd really like the challenge. And she'd still be able to buy things. Most of her shopping comes from a desire to coordinate, though- clothing, settings, colors, etc. Rosalie- professional model and parttime daycare operator. With cars in there somehow. Jasper- Jasper also likes plans. He has a military mind, and also is the computer genius of the family. He likes knowledge. He's so hard to place. Nothing seems like quite enough to keep him occupied. So maybe... Video game designer? Nah. What about... Web designer/publisher? He could use his skills with the computer to create pages and applications for people, and he could fuel his knowledge base with a constant inflow of manuscripts to look over and decide to publish or not. Factual and true accounts, of course. Emmett- Would invent a new and harder version of World of Warcraft for nerds to play, and then beat them all. He likes wrestling with Jasper. He couldn't necessarily wrestle humans- he'd crush them by accident. But maybe... Firefighter? Or something along those lines? The adrenaline rush as well as the fact that he'd be getting a good workout. If it were legal, I could totally see Emmett being a gladiator, fighting off wild animals in hordes. But it isn't. Bella- When she becomes a Cullen, I wouldn't doubt that she would become a writer.

Answer 3

What an interesting question. I have neither thought nor read about it. The only thing I'm sure of is that buglers would stand by the commanding officer so as to translate his orders into the appropriate call.

Answer 4

Primarily they were and are fighting men/women, I dare anyone to tell a US Marine or Royal Marine or Guardsman that they hide away and cry during a battle

Answer 5

play music to rally the troops and dodge bullets... Kind of sux. If they can march into on coming troops it shows how fearless they are and gives other soldiers spirit, too.

Answer 6

announce to the enemy that they were coming

Answer 7

cry