Musical Offerings ⦁ 2025 ⦁ Volume 16 ⦁ Number 1 33 Figure 1: “Roag’s March” as sketched in the diary of Henry Blake.40 On August 19, 1778, George Washington chose John Hiwell, a regimental fife major, to organize the music of the military.41 Washington’s orders were as follows: “Lieutenant Hiwell of Colonel Crane’s Regiment of Artillery is appointed Inspector and Superintendent of Music in the Army and is to be respected accordingly. His pay and Rations to be made equal to a Captain in the Train.”42 Hiwell was responsible for training the Continental Army’s musicians and for providing instruments.43 Baron von Steuben created “standardized musical signals” by which the soldiers could respond to based on the beats the drums.44 In 1777–1778, these drumbeats and signals were standardized in the entire Continental army, and a soldier was expected to “acquaint himself with the usual beats and signals of the drum, and instantly obey them.”45 In addition to drum signals, the Continental army had “Bands of Musick” which were integral in military activities and ceremonies.46 According to Simon 40 Blake. n.p. 41 Howe, 89-90. 42 Washington, 337. 43 Howe, 90. 44 Camus, 83. 45 Camus, 83. 46 Anderson, 33.
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