Drum Major Mace Commands

17th or Royal Meath Regiment (Transcribed from a manuscript insert in a copy of the
regiments standing orders in the British Library)
Drum Majors Signals for the several beats
1st

The General
Extends his right Arm, grasps his Cane about the middle, and raises the Head, so as to
bring it to a parallel elevation with the Stock or Cravat.

2nd

The Assembly
Extends his right Arm, raises his Cane about 1/4 Foot from the Ground, and places his
Thumb upon the Head

3rd

Troop
Rests his Cane upon his right Shoulder, pointing the Firl backwards

4th

To the Colours
Raises his Arm, and then terns his Hand inwards so as to bring his Cane horizontally
across him in a parallel elevation with his Stock

5th

To Field Exercise
Raises his Cane in a perpendicular direction with the Firl upwards, extending his Arm
and keeping a parallel elevation with his right Shoulder

6th

Quickstep
Carries his Cane directly before him, the Firl forwards and his Arm extended

7th

The Retreat
Passes his Cane crossways behind him

8th

To Disperse
Grasps his Cane near the String, extends his Arm on a parallel elevation with his
Shoulder

9th

To Church
Places the Head of his Cane on his right Shoulder

10th

To Arms
Carries his Cane upon his Left Shoulder with the Firl backwards

Eamonn OKeeffe

July 2015

Signals for Evolutions

1st

When the Regt is ordered to march with the Right in front

Grasps his Cane in the middle, and extends his Arm to the Right

2nd

When the Regt is ordered to march, the Left in front

Makes the same Signal with the Right hand and extends his Arm to the Left

3rd

In the several changes of position

Turns obliquely to the Drummers and points out by a particular motion of his Cane, the
direction they are to take

4th

In order to describe the oblique step to the Right

Extends his Arm on a parallel elevation with his Shoulder, holding his Cane Slanting
and grasping the end of it in his left Hand on a Line with his Hip

5th

In order to describe the oblique step to the Left

Makes the signal downwards, the Head of the Cane invariably marks the directions that
are to be taken

To Your Drums

3 Motions

1st

They place Drumsticks

Grasps his Cane under the Head, raises it up to the Eyes, and extends his Arm forwards

2nd

Unbrace Drums
Draws the head of the Cane close to his Chest

3rd

Put down Drums

Same motion as the first

4th

Take up Drums. take out Drumsticks

Makes the same motion with his Cane as when replacing the Drumsticks, to take o the
Drums & to Lodge

Eamonn OKeeffe

July 2015

Charles James, The Regimental Companion, Vol. 2, p. 382 (1800)

SECTION XXVII.
DRUM MAJORS.
Instructions to the Drum-Majors; as practised in the First Regiment of Foot Guards.
THE following beats are practised in the First Regiment of Foot Guards; but as no specific
regulations exist with respect to the army in general, it is more than probable, that some rule,
similar to what is ordered in the trumpet soundings for the cavalry, may be established for the
use of infantry regiments. The situation of a drum-major is of more consequence to the service
in general, than it seems to have been hitherto considered by the British army; and when we
reflect, that in the First Regiment of Foot Guards there are no less than seventy-two drummers
under the direction of one man, assisted by four deputy drum-majors, the responsibility vested
in him can by no means be looked upon as light and insignificant. In our humble opinion, all
parade directions should be taken from the drum-major; he being answerable for every thing
relating to the band.
On Parade.
When the battalion is formed, the drummers and fifers stand on the right, ten paces from
the front rankwith the drum-major in front, his arms extended, holding the sta planted
parallel with his shoulder.
When the commanding ocer gives the word, Troop ! drum-major faces to the right
about, grasps his sta about eighteen inches from the head, with the back of his hand in front
raises his arm so as to bring the sta in a perpendicular direction, with the ferril upwards
at the same time turning it twice round, giving the word Troop ! after which he plants his
sta to the right, with arm extended parallel to the shoulder, in which position he remains
during the introduction; then faces to the right about, coming to the former position, and gives
the word, March ! raises his sta, the head of which he will turn (with an easy air) once
round, so as to keep time, and plant it every fourth pace.
When the music is ordered to cease or halt, the drum-major faces inwards to the drums,
grasping his sta as before mentioned, turning the ferril upwards, as a signal to cease, and then
faces to his front, which signal serves either for quick or slow march.
When the drummers are inspected, the drums always to be in the front of them to which
they respectively belong; after which the drum-major gives the word, Take up Drums ! extends
his right arm and sta, which he grasps, with the back of his hand to the front, raising the
ferrel in a direct line with the drum-head.

Eamonn OKeeffe

July 2015

Sling Drums !
Prepare to beat !

Plants his sta with extended arm

Grasps his sta with the palm of the hand in front

Unsling Drums !
Right about face !
Lodge Drums !

Station of the Drummers and Fifers in Battalion during Exercise.

When the battalion is drawn up in line, the drummers and fifers are to be equally divided on
the flanks of the battalion.
When the battalion is in close column, drummers and fifers are in the rear.
When the battalion is in open column, in order to salute when marching past the reviewing
ocer, drummers and fifers on the left of their respective companies, giving a roll when the
ocer salutes.
When the ranks close, in the rear of the second file from the left, drummers and fifers take
the signals from the leading drum in front.
The Several Beats in the Field.
The Drummers call.
Non-commissioned ocers call.
To arms.
Adjutant's call.
March for the salute when in line.
Preparative for firing.
The general to cease firing.
Retreat.
Charge bayonets.
If the colours should be ordered to be trooped after field exercise, the drummers call to beat
at the right; after which two flams will be given, one for the ocers carrying the colours to
face, and the other to march to the right flank.

Drummers call.
Reveill.

Eamonn OKeeffe

Several Beats in Garrison.

July 2015

Adjutant's call.
Non-commissioned ocers call.
Troop and doublings.
Pioneers march, for the piquet, or billed up men.
Church call.
Retreat.
Tattoo.
Dinner drum.
Scotch regiments have their own peculiar beats, that to arms alone excepted; which is
general throughout the service.

Bugle Horn.
THE following signals of the bugle horn in the movements of light troops have been
published by Authority.
To extendTo closeMarchSkirmishFire Cease firingRetreatIncline to the right
Incline to the leftAlarmHaltOn discovering an enemyThe enemy is infantryThe
enemy enemy is cavalryThe enemy has both infantry and cavalryAssembly of Ocers.
See Regulations for the Exercise of Riflemen, published by Egerton, Whitehall.
The following additional instructions are translated from the French regulations, as
published and ordered to be strictly adhered to on the 20th of May, 1788. They are submitted
to the consideration of his Royal Highness the Commander in Chief, with the sole view of
eventually producing some regular system for the whole of the British army.

Instructions to the Drum-Major.

Station of the Drummers and Fifers in Battalion during Exercise.
When the battalion is drawn up in line, the drummers and fifers will be in the rear of the
company or platoon that is attached to the colours.
When the battalion is in column, at the head of the colours.
When the battalion passes a defil, at the head of the advanced division, company, or
section, or between the battalions, according to circumstances And situations.

Eamonn OKeeffe

July 2015

Drum-Major's Signals for the several Beats

1st. The General.
Extends his right arm, grasps his cane about the middle, and raises the head so as to bring it
to a parallel elevation with his stock or cravat.
2d. The Assembly.
Extends his right arm, raises his cane about one foot and a quarter from the ground, and
places his thumb upon the head.
3d. Troop.
Rests his cane upon the right shoulder, pointing the ferril backwards.
4th. To the Colours.
Raises his arm, and then turns his hand inwards, so as to bring his cane horizontally across
him in a parallel elevation with his stock or cravat.
5th. The Field Exercise.
Raises his cane in a perpendicular direction, with the ferril upwards, extending his arm and
keeping a parallel elevation with his right shoulder.
6th. Quick Step.
Carries his cane directly before him, the ferril forwards, and his arm extended.

Passes his cane crossways behind him.

7th. The Retreat.

8th. To Disperse.
Grasps his cane near the string, and extends his arm on a parallel elevation with his
shoulder.
9th. To Church.
Places the head of his cane on his right shoulder.
10th. To Arms.
Carries his cane upon his left shoulder, the ferril backwards.
Signals for Evolution.
1. When the battalion is ordered to march, the right in front, grasps his cane in the middle,
and extends his arm to the right.

Eamonn OKeeffe

July 2015

2. When the battalion is ordered to march, the left in front, makes the same signal with his
right hand, and extends his arm to the left.
3. When the column is ordered to break o, drops the end of his cane in his left hand, on a
parallel elevation with his eyes.
4. When the column is ordered to form, drops the head of his cane in his left hand, on a
parallel elevation with his eyes.
5. In the several changes of position, turns obliquely towards the drummers, and points out,
by a particular motion of his cane, the direction they are to take.
6. In order to describe the oblique step to the right, extends his right arm on a parallel
elevation with his shoulder, holding his cane slanting, and grasping the end of it with his left
hand on a line with his hip.
7. In order to describe the oblique step to the left, makes the signal inverseThe head of the
cane invariably marks the direction that is to be taken.

Three motions.

To your Drums.

Drums down.
1. Replace Drumsticks.Grasps his cane under the head, raises it up to his eyes, and extends
his arm forwards.
2. Unbrace Drums.Draws the head of the cane close to his chest.
3. Put down Drums.The same motions as in replacing the drumsticks.
Take up Drums.
Take up Drumsticks.
Makes the same motions with his cane as in replacing the drumsticks, to take o the drums
and to lodge.
It is the duty of the regimental drum-major to see that the cat-o'nine tails are properly
prepared. He ought also to be particularly careful that no extraordinary ingenuity is exercised
to make the knots heavier or more searching than the human frame can bear. God forbid that a
prevalent report should be true, relative to the insertion of lead in some cats that were used
during the Irish eervescence! Left-handed drummers ought also to be excused from being the
means of adding unnecessary torture, by cutting the back of a soldier across the former stripes,
which must be the case when right and left handed drummers inflict the lashes.

Eamonn OKeeffe

July 2015

General Remarks respecting Military Music.

Among other improvements which might be adopted to render the eect of military music
more generally inspiring, an alteration in the notes of the dierent wind instruments is not
beneath attention. Every regiment, in fact, ought to have two sets: one for the field, and
another for garrison or domestic purposes. It has likewise been suggested by a very acute
observer of the armies upon the Continent, particularly of the Prussians, that regimental bands
should occasionally cease to play whilst an army is marching in line or column. Pauses of this
sort, at intermediate periods, produce a powerful eect, and give an awful solemnity to the
movements of corps. Joseph Hanway in his travels remarks, that although he did not
comprehend a single manoeuvre during the exercise of some Prussian battalions, he felt his
mind extremely touched by the sudden pauses and occasional bursts of music that issued from
the dierent bands, playing all together. See Letter M. in the Military Dictionary.

Eamonn OKeeffe

July 2015

Alexander Smyth, Regulations for the Field Exercise, USA p. 203-4 (1812)
ARTICLE IX.
Instructions for the Drum Major.
In column of manoeuvre, the musicians will march on the reverse flank, dressing with the
front of the fifth company.
In column of route, and in passing defiles, they will march at the head of the battalion.
They will always wheel in echellon of files, by advancing a shoulder.

Signals for the Evolutions of the Musicians.

To march to the front. Point the cane directly forward, and then bring it to the position of the
carried sword.
To march by a flank. Take the cane by the middle, and extend the arm to the right, if they are to
march by the right flank; or to the left, if they are to march by the left flank.
To break into subdivisions. Extend the left hand at the height of the eyes, and strike the point of
the cane into it.
To form up into one division. Extend the left hand at the height of the eyes, and strike the butt
of the cane into it.
To wheel into a new direction. Turn round to the musicians, and by pointing with the cane,
indicate to them the new direction into which they are to wheel.
To march oblique. Grasp the cane by the middle, hold it horizontally before the musicians, and
move it forward in the oblique direction they are to take.
To halt. Face the musicians, bring the heels even, and set the point of the cane on the ground,
the right arm stretched out to the right.
The drums should be put on the ground, or taken up, by all the drummers at the same
instant. To eect this, a signal of three motions will be made.
1. To put up the drumsticks. Grasp the sta at the butt, raise it as high as the eyes, the point
down, and extend the arm to the front.
2. To detach the drums. Draw in the cane to the breast.
3. To ground the drums. Extend again the hand grasping the cane, to the front.
1. To take up drums. 2. To suspend drums. 3. To draw the drumsticks. Make the same three motions
with the cane, which have just been described.
To commence beating. Flourish the cane, the point held horizontally forward, and strike in the
left hand at the height of the waist.
To cease beating. Flourish the cane, the point upward. and then bring the point to the ground.

Eamonn OKeeffe

July 2015

Winfield Scott, Rules and Regulations for the Field Exercise and Manoeuvres
of Infantry, Philadelphia, 1824
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE DRUM-MAJOR.
The situation of the drummers in line, has been ascertained in the first section.
In column of manoeuvre, the drums shall march on the reverse flank, dressing with the front
of the left centre company.
In column of route, as also in passing defiles to the front, or rear in retreating, they must
march at the head of their respective battalions, in the intervals between the battalions.
SIGNALS MADE BY THE DRUM-MAJOR WITH HIS STAFF, CORRESPONDING TO
VARIOUS BEATS OF THE DRUM.
1. The GENERAL. Stretch out the right arm, seize the sta by the middle, and raise the
pommel as high as the stock.
2. The ASSEMBLY. Extend the right arm, raise the sta, nearly, a foot from the ground,
placing the thumb on the pommel.
3. The LONG ROLL. Put the sta, or cane, on the right shoulder, with the ferril to the rear.
4. The TROOP. Raise the arm, and turn the wrist inwards, so that the sta may be
horizontally across the body as high as the stock.
5. To the FIELD. Raise the sta or cane, perpendicularly, the ferril upwards, the arm being
extended as high as the right shoulder.
6. QUICK TIME. Project the ferril of the sta direct, and horizontally to the front, with the
arm stretched out.
7. The RETREAT. Carry the sta round so as to slant across the body in the rear, or behind.
8. CHURCH CALL. Carry the pommel of the sta, or cane, to the right shoulder, placing it
on the shoulder.
9. FATIGUE. Take the sta by, and at the place of the tassel, and extend the arm as high as
the shoulder.
10. To ARMs. Carry the sta on the left shoulder, with the ferril pointing to the rear.
SIGNALS FOR EVOLUTIONS OR MOVEMENTS OF THE DRUMS.
1st. In order to march to the right flank, take the cane by the middle, and extend the arm
to the right.
2d. In order to march to the left flank, make the same signal, extending the arm to the
left.
3d. In order to diminish the front, or form platoons, let the lower extremity of the sta
fall into the left hand, held as high as the eyes.
4th. To increase the front, or form up, let the pommel of the sta fall into the left hand,
held as high as the eyes.

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July 2015

5. In order to change direction, turn half round to the drummers, and indicate to them,
by a movement of the sta, to which side they are to wheel or turn.
6th. In order to make them oblique to the right, extend the right arm straight forward, as
high as the shoulder, holding the sta slanting, and grasping the ferril, or lower end, with
the left hand as high as the haunch.
7th. In order to oblique to the left, make the contrary signal, the pommel of the sta, or
cane, always indicating to which side the obliquing is to take place.
TO GROUNDS DRUMS.
Three Motions.
1. To PUT UP DRUMSTICKS. Grasp the sta under the pommel, and raise it as high as the
eyes, extending the arm to the front.
2. To DETACH THE DRUM. Draw the pommel towards the breast, and close to it.
3. GROUND DRUMS. The same signal as is given for putting up drumsticks.
1. TAKE UP DRUMS.
2. SUSPEND DRUMS.
3. DRAW OUT DRUMSTICKS.
Make the same signals with the sta as for putting up drumsticks; for detaching drums
(or untying them;) and for grounding drums.

Eamonn OKeeffe

July 2015