Drummer Boys

Drummer Boys By: Jeff Kosakowski

The Drum: - The type of drum that was used by the drummer boys was the snare drum - This drum was loud and light because it was made out of soft wood like pine

Drills: - In order to be a drummer boy you had to learn how to play all of the songs - You were given a list of how many songs you had to learn and then you would have to practice them - Sometimes drummers would have to learn how to march in formation poster yourself

Age: - Some drummer boys were as young as nine years of age - After the age of 18 the army would not let you drum and you would have to fight

Main use: - The main use of drummer boys was to keep the army in unison - They would drum certain beats and the army would follow according to what the beat was - Commands would be given to the drummers by whoever was in charge and they would play them to the army

Other Jobs: - Bury the dead - Sharpen the surgeons instruments - They helped remove and care for the wounded - Carried water to and from the battlefield

Captured Drummers: - Most of the time when drummers were captured they were given some respect because of their young age unlike soldiers - If they were lucky the enemy would let them go

Formation: - When the army was in formation the drummer boys would be in the front of the line - The reason for this is when the army was in battle all of the soldiers could see and hear the drummers

Uniform: - The drummers uniform was usually the color of their army - Sometimes they would have bright colors on for their army to see them - Often drummers would carry a sword or knife for protection

Confederate Drummer boys: - They had big drums to make the most sound - Moved slow because of their big drums - They had no protection from the north in close hand combat - Wore gray that helped them not get seen as easily

Union Drummer boys: - Drummers in the north had smaller drums - This allowed them to move faster in battle - They were taught to fight with knifes in close combat

Ratio: - The drummer to soldier ratio was about 20 soldiers to every drummer - If there was more then 20 soldiers to 1 drummer sometimes all of the army would not hear a command and it would cause confusion