The resources on this page are provided to help you prepare for your participation in the Field Music School. They include rudiments, beats, calls, and tunes from a variety of sources. Some are direct facsimile reprints of original manuals, and others are instructional materials that have been created or compiled by members of the music faculty. Some sound files will be added to this page as well, and additional materials will be available at the school.
| Primary Sources | More Sources |
|---|---|
| The Army Drum and Fife Book (PDF) “Containing Full Instructions, the Reveille, the Tattoo, the various Calls and Beats used in the Service, and a Choice Collection of Music. To which is added the Bugler’s Call Book, containing all the Infantry General Calls and Calls for Skirmishers, used in the U. S. Army.” Edited by Keach, Burditt, and Cassidy. Published by Oliver Ditson and Co. Boston. 1861. | Civil War Bugle Calls Downloadable audio files recorded by Jari Villanueva October 2014 |
| Howe’s United States Regulation Drum and Fife Instructor (PDF) “For the use of the Army and Navy, containing Full Rules and Exercises, the Duties of Musicians on all Occasions, and the full Camp Duty, Signals, Calls, &c. Also the complete Bugle Calls for the Infantry, Artillery and Cavalry. Also the Pay and Emoluments of Musicians, and of every Grade in the Army or Navy. To which is added several popular National and Patriotic Songs as Quartettes.” By Elias Howe. Boston. 1861. | Civil War Re-enacting for the Bugler An overview of Civil War bugling, history and resources for Civil War re-enactors. |
| The Manual of Instruction for Drummers (PDF) “On an Improved Plan. Containing the Rudiments of Drum-Beating; With Rules for Common, Quick, and Compound Time: Together with the Whole of Camp Duties, etc. Prepared under the Direction of the Adjutant General of the United States Army, Approved of by the Commander-in-Chief, and Adopted for the Use of the Army of the United States.” By George D. Klinehanse. Washington, D.C. 1853. | Learning to Play the Bugle An excellent introduction by renowned bugler, Jari Villanueva, for those getting or wanting to get started on playing bugle. |
| Henke-Moore Manuscript (PDF) A manuscript, compiled circa 1856-1859 at Fort Columbus (Governors Island) by School of Music instructors, Sergeants Charles Henke and Michael Moore. The manuscript was found in the archives of the US Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, PA. | Duty of Musicians (PDF) A short description outlining “the duty of the Field Music” |
| Col. H. C. Hart’s “New and Improved Instructor for the Drum” 1862 | A Bevy of Reveilles for Fife and Drum (PDF) Compiled by Joe Korber, teacher at the Don Hubbard Field Music School, this collection compares reveille sequences from various period sources. |
| Army Regulations for Drum, Fife, and Bugle (Nevins) “Being A Complete Manual For These Instruments, giving All The Calls For Camp and Field Duty to which is added Suitable Music for Each Instrument.” by William Nevins 1861 | Rudiments (PDF) The Standard 26 American Drum Rudiments as adopted by the National Association of Rudimental Drummers |
| Drum Taps in Dixie Published in 1905, this is the account of Delavan Miller, a drummer with the New York Second Heavy Artillery. | Rudiments and Rudimental Drumming (PDF) (Compiled by Bill Maling, teacher at the Eastern Field Music School) “This booklet focuses on rudiments and their uses in Ancient Style Rudimental Drumming……used the most in frequently played Civil War repertoire.” |
| A Drum’s Story and Other Tales Published in 1909, this is a second book by Delavan Miller. | |
| A Drummer-Boy’s Diary Published in 1889, this is the account of William Bircher, a drummer with the 2nd Minnesota Volunteer Infantry | |
| The Recollections of a Drummer-Boy (PDF) First published in 1881, this is the account of Harry Kieffer, a drummer with the 150th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry |