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Reveille! Daily Bugle Calls of an 1840s Garrison

A middle aged man poses for the camera in a 19th century US military uniform standing a bugle on his lap.
Private Louis H. Benz, chief bugler at West Point Military Academy, with his bugle

Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division LC-DIG-ppmsca-40184

From the first notes of Reveille early in the morning to the final strain of Tattoo, bugle calls ordered garrison life of the 19th century. The times for assembling for meals, visiting the doctor, caring for horses, and parading on the grounds were all conveyed in this manner. Instilling a spirit of patriotism, comradery, and discipline, daily bugle calls have been an iconic military tradtion from pre-Revolutionary War through the present day.

This is a typical schedule of bugle calls as used at U.S. Army frontier forts in the mid 19th century.

  • 6:00 AM Reveille


    Signaled the beginning of the day and for soldiers to get up and dressed for the morning roll call

    Date created:
    05/12/2022

  • 6:15 AM Assembly


    Called soldiers to formation at their barracks for the morning roll call

    Date created:
    05/12/2022

  • 6:40 AM Stable Call


    Called dragoons to the stables to care for their horses

    Date created:
    05/12/2022

  • 7:10 AM Sick Call


    Called sick soldiers to the hospital for evaluation by the post surgeon

    Date created:
    05/12/2022

  • 7:30 AM Mess Call


    Called soldiers to the mess hall for breakfast

    Date created:
    05/12/2022

  • 7:55 AM Fatigue


    Indicated designated soldiers to arrive for fatigue duty. Sometimes used as a form of punishment, fatigue duty included performing physical tasks such as cleaning, ditch digging, etc.

    Date created:
    05/12/2022

  • 8:00 AM First Sergeant's Call


    Company first sergeants reported to post headquarters with their "Morning Reports," which gave the number of their men sick, on guard duty, on drill or fatigue, or on special assignment

    Date created:
    05/12/2022

  • 8:15 AM Adjutant's Call


    This call indicated the adjutant is about to form a military unit.

    Date created:
    05/12/2022

  • 9:00 AM Officer's Call


    The officer's call signaled all officers to assemble

    Date created:
    05/12/2022

  • 9:15 AM Assembly of Guard Detail


    Signaled soldiers assigned to guard detail to assemble

    Date created:
    05/12/2022

  • 9:30 AM Dress Guard Mounting


    Indicated the guard mounting or changing of the guard

    Date created:
    05/12/2022

  • 10:00 AM Drill


    Signaled soldiers to assemble for drill

    Date created:
    05/12/2022

  • 11:20 AM Stable Call


    Called dragoons to the stables to care for their horses

    Date created:
    05/12/2022

  • 12:05 PM Mess Call


    Instructed soldiers to arrive at the mess hall for a meal

    Date created:
    05/12/2022

  • 1:00 PM Fatigue


    Indicated designated soldiers to arrive for fatigue duty. Sometimes used as a form of punishment, fatigue duty included performing physical tasks such as cleaning, ditch digging, etc.

    Date created:
    05/12/2022

  • 1:30 PM Drill


    Called soldiers to assemble for drills

    Date created:
    05/12/2022

  • 3:00 PM Drill


    Called soldiers to assemble for drills

    Date created:
    05/12/2022

  • 4:30 PM Recall


    Used to signal the end of drills

    Date created:
    05/12/2022

  • 4:45 PM Assembly


    Called soldiers to assemble

    Date created:
    05/12/2022

  • 4:50 PM Dress Parade


    Signaled the commencement of dress parade, a formal parade on the fort grounds in full uniform

    Date created:
    05/12/2022

  • 4:55 PM To the Colors


    Honored the flag as it was raised or lowered in lieu of the national anthem

    Date created:
    05/12/2022

  • 5:00 PM Retreat


    Signaled the end of the day at the fort

    Date created:
    05/12/2022

  • 5:10 PM Stable Call


    Called dragoons to the stables to care for their horses

    Date created:
    05/12/2022

  • 6:00 PM Mess Call


    Called soldiers to the mess hall for the evening meal

    Date created:
    05/12/2022

  • 8:55 PM Assembly


    Preparatory call to assemble for tattoo

    Date created:
    05/12/2022

  • 9:00 PM Tattoo


    Signaled that all lights be extinguished and loud disturbances ceased as soldiers went to sleep

    Date created:
    05/12/2022
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Last updated: May 13, 2022