Musician (Mus) is a rank equivalent to

Private Private or privates may refer to: Music * " In Private", by Dusty Springfield from the 1990 album ''Reputation'' * Private (band), a Denmark-based band * "Private" (Ryōko Hirosue song), from the 1999 album ''Private'', written and also recorde ...

held by members of the Royal Corps of Army Music of the British Army and the Royal Marines Band Service. The rank was also previously used in the United States Army and Confederate States Army. There were two types of historical traditions in military bands. The first was military field music. This type of music included bugles, bagpipes, or fifes and almost always drums. This type of music was used to control troops on the battlefield as well as for entertainment. One example of controlling the troops was the drum beats setting the march cadence for the troops. Following the development of instruments such as the keyed trumpet or the saxhorn family of brass instruments, a second tradition of the all brass military band was formed.

United States

Unidentified soldier in Confederate uniform with saxhorn LCCN2012648233

The rank of Musician was a position held by military band members, particularly during the American Civil War. The rank was just below Corporal, and just above

. In some units it was more or less equal to the rank of Private. During the American Civil War, military leaders with the Union and Confederate Armies relied on military musicians to entertain troops, position troops in battle, and stir them on to victory — some actually performing concerts in forward positions during the fighting.GoArmy.com > Army Bands > History
/ref> There were two types of musicians in both armies. Each

company A company, abbreviated as co., is a Legal personality, legal entity representing an association of people, whether Natural person, natural, Legal person, legal or a mixture of both, with a specific objective. Company members share a common p ...

was generally authorized two musicians whose job was to announce daily activities when in camp or garrison (i.e. reveille, taps). During battle they would signal various commands, such as when to attack or retreat, as otherwise the orders could not be heard over the din of combat.Schroeder-Lein, G. R. (2008). The Encyclopedia of Civil War Medicine. United States: M. E. Sharpe Incorporated. p. 225-226 These would be trumpeters for cavalry, buglers for

field artillery Field artillery is a category of mobile artillery used to support armies in the field. These weapons are specialized for mobility, tactical proficiency, short range, long range, and extremely long range target engagement. Until the early 20t ...

, or a

drummer A drummer is a percussionist who creates music using drum The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments. In the Hornbostel-Sachs classification system, it is a membranophone. Drums consist of at least one mem ...

and a

fifer A fifer is a non-combatant military occupation of a foot soldier who originally played the fife during combat. The practice was instituted during the period of Early Modern warfare to sound signals during changes in formation, such as the line, ...

for infantry, heavy artillery and engineers. Trumpeters were armed with sabres and

pistol A pistol is a handgun, more specifically one with the chamber integral to its gun barrel, though in common usage the two terms are often used interchangeably. The English word was introduced in , when early handguns were produced in Europe, an ...

s while the rest were armed only with a musician's sword. While not expected to perform the ordinary duties of a soldier in camp, musicians could be used for fatigue duty. It was also common practice to recruit boys under the age of eighteen as musicians with their parents' or guardians' consent.Kautz, A. V. (1864). Customs of Service for Non-commissioned Officers and Soldiers, as Derived from Law and Regulations, and Practised in the Army of the United States: Being a Handbook for the Rank and File of the Army, Showing what are the Rights and Duties, how to Obtain the Former and Perform the Latter, and Thereby Enabling Them to Seek Promotion and Distinction in the Service of Their Country. United States: J.B. Lippincott & Company. p. 72-78 The second type were musicians who formed dedicated bands assigned to

brigades A brigade is a major tactical military formation that typically comprises three to six battalions plus supporting elements. It is roughly equivalent to an enlarged or reinforced regiment. Two or more brigades may constitute a division. Br ...

and some regiments. Bands would perform for special occasions such as during inspections and parades, and would put on concerts to entertain the troops and visiting dignitaries. Artillery and volunteer infantry regiments were authorized a band of twenty-four musicians, while volunteer brigades were authorized bands of sixteen musicians. A second duty performed by musicians during battles were to act as stretcher bearers and orderlies, for which they received their training from the regiment's surgeon. Their performance in these roles brought mixed results, and while some could be effective others proved to be more hindrance than help. The need to address this problem would eventually result in the creation of a dedication ambulance corps. Besides basic musicians, most units were authorized principal or chief musicians. They were responsible for instructing the musicians below them, maintaining a roster and detailing musicians to various duties as needed. The related titles of drum-major or chief trumpeter had similar responsibilities. If there was no dedicated leader of the band, a principal musician fulfilled the role. Several U.S. Army Musicians were awarded the Medal of Honor during the Civil War. These recipients include: * William J. Carson (Musician) * John Cook (Bugler) *

Richard Enderlin Richard Enderlin (January 11, 1843 – February 11, 1930) was a musician and United States Army soldier who received a Medal of Honor for the heroism he displayed when fighting in the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. Gettysburg Enderlin was born in ...

(Musician) * Benjamin F. Hilliker (Musician) *

William H. Horsfall William H. Horsfall (March 3, 1847 – October 22, 1922) was one of the youngest men to receive the Medal of Honor during the American Civil War. He was born in 1847, in Newport, Kentucky. He enlisted as a drummer in Company G, 1st Kentucky Volunte ...

(Drummer) * Orion P. Howe (Musician) *

Willie Johnston William McClure Johnston (born 19 December 1946) is a Scottish former professional footballer, best remembered for his time at Rangers and West Bromwich Albion. He made 22 international appearances for Scotland and was selected for their 197 ...

(Musician) *

John S. Kountz John S. Kountz (March 25, 1846 – June 14, 1909) was a soldier in the United States Army during the American Civil War. He received a Medal of Honor. Biography Kountz was born March 25, 1846 in Richfield, Ohio. He attended school in Maume ...

(Musician) *

James P. Landis James Parker Landis (July 20, 1843 – December 1, 1924) was a United States soldier who was recognized with his nation's highest award for valor, the U.S. Medal of Honor, for his gallantry during the American Civil War. While serving as the Chie ...

(Chief Bugler) *

J. C. Julius Langbein Johann Christoph Julius Langbein (September 22, 1846 – January 28, 1910) was an American lawyer and politician from New York. He was a drummer boy in the Union Army and a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions in the American Civil War. ...

(Musician) * William Lord (Musician) * William Magee (Drummer) * Robinson B. Murphy (Musician) *

George Henry Palmer George Henry Palmer (1840–1901) was a musician (bugler) in the 1st Illinois Volunteer Cavalry during the American Civil War. He received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action while fight ...

(Musician) * John T. Patterson (Principal Musician) *

Charles W. Reed Charles Wellington Reed (1841 – 1926) was an American soldier who fought with the Union Army in the American Civil War. Reed received his country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for actions taken on July 2, 1863 du ...

(Bugler) *

Ferdinand F. Rohm Ferdinand Frederick Rohm (August 30, 1843 – November 24, 1917) was a native of the German Kingdom of Württemberg who fought for the federal government of the United States during the American Civil War. He was awarded America's highest honor ...

(Chief Bugler) * Charles Schorn (Chief Bugler) * Julian A. Scott (Drummer) *

James Snedden James Snedden (September 19, 1849June 14, 1919 (?)) was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and emigrated to the United States at an unknown date. On February 23, 1864, during the Civil War, he was mustered in the Union Army at Johnstown, Pennsylvania ...

(Musician) * Alason P. Webber (Musician) *

Thomas M. Wells Thomas McCoy Wells (c. 1841 – February 5, 1901) was an Irish born Union Army soldier and officer during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor for gallantry during the Battle of Cedar Creek fought near Middletown, Virginia on ...

(Chief Bugler)

United States

References

Further reading