32 Renner ⦁ Revolutions The Continental Army in the American Revolution depended on fifers and drummers to communicate orders to the soldiers. In his article, “Early Military Music,” Warren Howe explains that towards the beginning of the Revolution, the Army used company musicians to provide and organize music for “communicating orders during battle, regulating camp formations and duties, and providing music for marching, ceremonies, and morale.”32 One individual who served as a company musician was Henry Blake, a fifer in the Continental Army.33 Blake’s diary, written in 1776, is a valued source for American Revolution military music as it has survived throughout history. Organization in the early years of the Revolution was lacking; therefore, Blake consistently sketched tunes for the fifers which is shown in his diary.34 Tunes such as the “Roags March” and “The Wild Irishman” are sketched in Blake’s diary.35 The “Rogues March,” which is shown in Figure 1, was traditionally used at a ceremony where a soldier was marched out of camp due to dismissal from the army.36 As the war progressed, the need for more military structure became apparent. In 1777, Benjamin Franklin recruited Prussian Baron Friedrich Wilhelm Augustus von Steuben and sent him to visit George Washington in Valley Forge.37 The need for organization was striking. Washington, aware of the deficient organization, appointed Baron von Steuben acting inspector general.38 Camus stated that “music was considered of such importance to the army that a subordinate inspector was appointed for its standardization and supervision.”39 32 Howe, 87. 33 Howe, 87. 34 Howe, 88. 35 Blake, n.p. 36 Camus, 111. 37 Howe, 89. 38 Howe, 89. 39 Camus, 129.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM4ODY=