The bugle was essential to all military communication for the Civil War cavalry trooper. Bugle calls are musical signals that announce scheduled and certain nonscheduled events in camp as well as project commands across a wide area of the battlefield. Soldiers were quick to learn the calls of the bugle or it could cost them their lives.
Today's Civil War reenactor is not as hard pressed to learn the Bugle calls since the consequences of not knowing them are not as grave. However, in order to put forward a realistic impression, as well as do justice to the men we portray, it is important that we learn these calls as well as they knew them.
|
Gait Signals
|
|||
| 14 | Forward (walk) | We're ma-ar-ching forward and moving ahead | "At theWalk...March!" |
| 17 | Trot | Trot-ah Trot-ah Trot-ah Trot-ah Trot-ah Trot-ah Trot-ah Trot-ah Trahht | "At a Trot" |
| 18 | Gallop | Gal-up-ing, Gal-up-ing, Gal-up-ing, Boys | "At the Gallop" |
| 15 | Halt | Come to halt, stand fast men | "Company...Halt" |
|
Direction Signals
|
|||
| 25 | To The Left | To - The - Left |
"Left into Line!" NOTE: This is a change of formation as well as a change of direction |
| 26 | To The Right | Facing - to - the - Right |
"Right On into line" NOTE: This is a change of formation as well as a change of direction |
| 27 | Right Turn/wheel | A whe-el, a wh-el, time to turn anotherWa-ay, To The Right, To the Right |
"Right Turn!" NOTE: This is only a change of direction. NOTE: The beginning portion is often omitted for time sake. |
| 28 | Left Turn/wheel | A whe-el, a wh-el, time to turn anotherWa-ay, Turn - to the left, Turn - To the Left |
"Left Turn!" NOTE: This is only a change of direction. NOTE: The beginning portion is often omitted for time sake. |
| 14+ | Forward (walk) | We're ma-ar-ching forward and moving ahead | "Forward!" |
|
Fighting Calls
|
|||
| 22 | Disperse | Time to spread out and fight boys, its time to spread out and fight like hell | "Fight as Mounted Skirmishers!" |
| 23 | Commence Firing | Com-mence fi - r- ing, Com-mence fi - r- ing, Com-mence fi - r- ing, my boys | "Fire!" |
| 24 | Cease Firing | Cea - ease Fire, Cea - ease Fire, Cea-ease Fire! | "Cease Fire!" |
| 19 | The Charge | Come on boys, with your sabers, with your sabre for the charge. | "Charge!!!" |
|
Rally / Retreat
|
|||
| 21 | Retreat | Time to Retreat, we wont be beat, but keep up the fire, No slack as we retire | |
| Rally on the Chief | |||
| 20 | Rally | Come Back, give-it-a spur-and-a-whip-boys,give-it-a spur-and-a-whip-boys,form ranks back here. | |
| 16 | About | Turn it about, Turn it about,turn it about boys. | "Right About...March!" |
| 3 | To Horse | Go get your horses now and form on line, if you do we'll mount up right-on time. | |
| 0 | Recall | Come back here now, Come back here now, Come back , Come back , Come back here now, | |
|
CAMP CALLS
|
|||
| Reveille | "BE IN FORMATION BY THE TIME THE LAST NOTE IS PLAYED!!!" | ||
| 0 | Assembly of the Guard | Generally Not Used | |
| 2 | Boots and Saddles | "Saddle Up and Put on your Gear" | |
| 9 | Water Call | "Water your Horse" | |
| 0 | Drill Call | Generally Not Used | |
| 3+ | Stand To Horse | Go get your horses now and form on line, if you do we'll mount up right-on time. | "Form Ranks with Horse in Hand" |
| 13 | Tattoo | "Lights Out" | |
| 8 | Stable Call | "Prepare to Grain the horses and Clean up the Picket Line" | |
| 0 | Sick Call | Generally Not Used | |
| 11 | Dinner Call | ||
| 4 | |||
| 10 | Breakfast Call | ||
| 6 | Assembly | ||
| 12 | Officers Call | Officers Call, Officers Call, Officers Call on the Run | "Officers Call" |
| 0 | orders | Generally Not Used | |
| 0 | Generally Not Used | ||
| 0 | Drill Call | Generally Not Used | |