Military.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 41, 6 January 1894, Page 10

Military.

SOME FAMOUS DRUMMERS. (From the Million.) Some distinguished officers have risen from the rank of drummer, the late Colonel Mcßean, V.C., of the 93rd Highlanders, being one of them, and the Queen did not think it infra, dig. for the Duke of Connaught to don the uniform of a drummer of the Guards in 1865, and be taught the drum by a Drum-Major of the Coldstreams. The uniform of our drummers must he familiar enough to every Englishman, yet few know the significance of the spotted lace with which their tunics are decorated. The blue spot is the celebrated fleur-de-lis of France, which being worn by the highest ranks in the French army was, as a mark of our military superiority, bestowed by the Prince Regent upon the lowest ranks in our own. The drummer boy in the field, when not with his company, is often employed in ambulance work — a dangerous and difficult task —and many a brave fellow has ere now owed his life to one of these soldier Samaritans, whose skilful and gentle hands have tied the timely bandage, or given him that “cup of cold water” which, to a wounded soldier, is worth all the jewels in a monarch’s crown. In one of the battles of the Peninsula War, a drummer, whose name and corps have both been unfortunately lost to history, having wandered from his regiment, was taken prisoner, and brought before Napoleon as a spy. As he was in disguise (having clothed

himself in a French uniform, his own being 1 in a dilapidated condition), Napoleon, to test the truth of his statement, ordered a drum to be brought, and requested him to heat “the charge.” The drummer’s eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as he gave the rataplan demanded. “ Now beat a retreat,” said Napoleon. “ I cannot, sir,” said the drummer, proudly. “ No such thing is known in the British Army. We English never retreat !” “ Good ! ” replied the Emperor, laughing; you are a brave lad!” and gave orders for him to be escorted to his own lines, with a note from himself to Wellington. In the Crimea, on the evening of the day on which an unsuccessful attack on the Redan had been made, a drummer of the Guards named Price was observed to leave the shelter of the trenches with a can of tea in his hand, and in the midst of a fearful shower of shot and shell from the Russian batteries, threaded his way amongst the wounded, giving a drink to each until his can was emptied. Then flinging the empty can contemptuously in the direction of the enemy, he coolly returned to his jiost. During the Abyssinian expedition the field bugler whose duty it was to be near Lord Napier, left the General’s side on nearing Magdala, and was the first to dash into the stronghold of King Theodore. To do this he had to scale the walls, which he did by a scaling-ladder, held for him by a comrade. His bravery might have been rewarded with instant death, but the King had committed suicide, and there was no longer any defence. Jumping’ down from the wall he opened the gates and admitted the storming party. This brave lad, named Magnot, was of Irish national-

ity, and belonged to the' 33rd Regiment. His conduct won for bim the Victoria Cross. At the battle of Inkerman, a bugler named Pearson, having, when the ammunition was failing, been ordered to sound the “ cease firing,” was doing so, when he observed a Russian present his musket within a few feet of the Sergeant-Major’s head. Without waiting to finish the bugle call, he dashed the instrument into the man’s face, causing him to miss his aim, and saving the life of the non-commis-sioned officer. These are a few instances of the bravery of our drummers in the field, but some have been famous in other ways. Hot the least of these was Mr Charles Godfrey, the famous bandmaster of the Coldstream Guards, and father of Lieutenant Han Godfrey. He was originally a drummer in the Surrey Militia, and joined the ranks of the Guards just beforeWaterloo was fought. He was under orders for abroad when a vacancy occurred for the post of bandmaster, and he was selected. He served fifty years in the regiment, and made his band famous wherever good music is appreciated.