Bugle Calls  "From 'Reveille' To 'Taps'"

Life in Civil War camps included many common experiences for the almost 3,000,000 soldiers who served in the Union and Confederate armies. Their daily activities, from the time they awoke in the morning until they went to sleep at night, were signaled and regulated by bugle calls. The calls used by the two sides were practically identical.

The first 19 or more bugle calls a soldier heard each day was called the "Assembly of Buglers" and sounded at 5:00am in the summer and 6:00am in the winter. The sound of "Reveille" told the men to crawl out from under their blankets and prepare for the day and was followed by "Assembly", signaling them to form ranks for the first of three roll calls held throughout the day. "Stable Call" sent men to tend to the horses; after the animals were cared for, the soldiers heard "Breakfast Call", which was immediately followed by the aroma of coffee boiling on dozens of campfires. After breakfast, "Sick Call" summoned those with ailments to report to the camp doctor, "Water Call" sent details to fetch water for men and horses, and "Fatigue Call" directed the men to clean up the camp. Assignments for guard duty followed the 9:00am call of "Guard Mount".

"Drill Call", "Recall", "Dinner Call", "Assembly for Regimental Drill", "Assembly for Dress Parade", another "Stable Call", and "Water Call" regimented the rest of the soldiers' day until it was time to return to their tents and prepare the evening meal, which was signaled by the "Supper Call". After another "Roll Call", the soldiers were free to tend to their own needs until 10:00pm. "Taps" sent them to bed with all lights out.

Another set of bugle calls and drum beats regulated the soldiers on the battlefield. More than 25 bugle calls regulated the different activities of the cavalry and artillery.

Fascinating Fact:  Union Gen. Daniel Butterfield composed the mournful "Taps" to signal "lights out" in July 1862 while in camp at Harrison's Landing, VA.


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