The Reveille		There has been much discussion regarding this call. Due to some new books containing memoirs and diary entries written by buglers and other field musicians during the war. It has been decided this call was truly used to awaken the men for the beginning of their day. The reference in John Billings HARDTACK and COFFEE about roll call being taken after reveille was most likely in regards to the Drum and Fife reveille, which is the signal for troops to begin to assemble for morning roll call. Oliver Norton wrote he remembered hearing the brigade bugler sound the brigade call followed by reveille, and echoed by regimental buglers sounding the regimental calls then reveille. Command “
Assembly on Company Streets		After the Drum and Fife Corps finish their reveille sequence the morning role call was taken. Assembly by the bugle would also be acceptable to form for roll call, either by choice or if there is no Drum and Fife reveille. Command “Bugler sound Assembly”
Breakfast Call (Peas Upon a Trencher)		Sounded immediately after morning role call or when breakfast is prepared. Command “Sound Breakfast Call”
Sick Call		Call for the sick to assemble on company streets to be marched to the Surgeons quarters.
Fatigue Call		This call signaled men to assemble for various work details. Today it also includes de-farb the camp and time to remove the cars from the camp. Command “Bugler sound fatigue call” or “Bugler sound Pioneer’s call”
Assembly of the Guard		This call was to assemble soldiers for Guard Mount. The troops would march to the Camp or Garrison parade ground where the First Sgt and/or the Adjutant would inspect them. Command” Bugler Assemble the Guard” or “Bugler Sound Guard Mount”
First Call (Assembly of the Buglers or Attention)		This call is used to alert the troops to begin to suit up and prepare for Assembly. At Florida 4th Brigade events we use Assembly of the Buglers for first call. At all National Events we will use Assembly  (This will serve as our first call to prepare for battles) Command – “Bugler Sound the First Call”
Second Call (Assembly)		This call was used to assemble troops in the company streets and prepare on the next call to begin to move to their assigned destination on the color line. (Also for our reenacting purposes will serve as second call) Command – “Attention Company”
To the Color		Used to bring Companies to the color line, form battle line, Battalion dress parade and inspections, and to honor the national colors. Command “
Attention - Battalion		Assume the position of the soldier (the position of attention).
Orders for Orderly Sergeants OR First Sergeants Call		Sounded sometime after morning role call to signal 1stSgts to submit their morning reports to the Adjutant. This call might also be sounded during other times of the day to summon the company1stSgts. Command “Bugler sound First Sergeants call” or “Bugler sound the call for first Sergeants”
Drill Call		This call was used to summon troops for battalion or brigade drill. Command “ Bugler sound Drill Call” See the Skirmishers Calls for specific drill calls.
Recall (from sutlers,fatigue detail, etc)		Used in camp as well as battle to summon men to battalion for further instruction. This call can also be used to dismiss men from an activity such as morning drill. Also used to bring detached companies back to the Main Battalion or Reserve. Command “Bugler Sound Recall”
Dinner Call (Roast Beef)		Signal for afternoon and evening meal
Church Call		This was used as a call to worship. It was also used to call a truce between sides.
Supper (dinner)		Is the same call as Dinner (lunch). Tells the troops to gather at the mess tents or to being making their own supper.
Extinguish Lights		Until 1862 this was signal to cease all activity for the evening.
Taps		After 1862 TAPS gradually replaced To Extinguish Lights. This call was arranged by General Daniel Butterfield and his Chief Bugler Oliver Wilcox Norton (for more information on TAPS please visit www.tapsbugler.com)
Officers' Call		This call was used to assemble officers in camp or on the field when presence was required by the Commanding officer. Command “Bugler Sound Officers Call”

Hardee's Skirmishers Bugle Calls
The following Bugle Calls are used today in the reenacting of the American Civil War on the battlefield. These are the "Must Know" calls used today on the field.

Battlefield (Skirmishers) Calls   Back to top.

To the Colors    This call serves several purposes:

1. Morning colors as the flag is raised.
2. During battle, troops rally back to where the flag is on the field.

Fix Bayonets		This call was sounded for when soldiers needed bayonets. Command "Fix Bayonet"
Unfix Bayonets		This call signaled soldier to remove their bayonet and return to the previous position. Command "Unfix Bayonet"
Quick Time		110 steps to the minute Command "At the Quick step"
Double Quick Time		165 steps to the minute but could be increased in battle as needed. Command "At the double quick ….march"
Run		Used in extremely urgent situations. Command "Forward at the run…..march"
Deploy as Skirmishers		Sounded to activate the skirmisher company. Command "As skirmishers …march"
Forward		On the command forward the bugler will begin to sound this call. When the command march is called the call will be completed. The purpose for this is to allow the color company to move forward it's six paces on the command march the main body of men move forward. Command "Forward ……..March"
Retreat		This call signaled soldier to fall back to the main force while facing the enemy. Command "In Retreat March"
Halt		Whenever troops were moving in any direction this call was used to bring them to a halt. Command "Halt"
By the Right Flank		Troops will turn 90 degrees to the right and continue to march. The last note ascends. Command "By the right flank ….march"
By the Left Flank		Troops will turn 90 degrees to the left and continue to march. The last note descends. Command "By the left flank ….march"
Commence Fire		This command was the signal for troops to begin firing their weapons. Command "Commence Fire"
Cease Fire		When this call was sounded it was for soldiers to cease firing their weapons. Command "Cease Fire"
Change Direction to the Right		This would signal a body of men to wheel to the right while continuing to march. When moving to the right the last note ascends. Command "by file right …march.
Change Direction to the Left		This would signal a body of men to wheel to the left while continuing to march. When moving to the left the last note descends. Command "by file right …march
Lie Down		This command ordered troops to lie down. Command " Lie Down."
Rise Up		This command was used to order troops to rise up either to advance or fire on the enemy. Command "Rise Up"
Rally by Fours		During a Cavalry attack this call signaled the skirmishers to assemble in groups of four called comrades in battle. The four soldiers would stand back-to-back facing outward with fixed bayonets. Command "Rally by Fours"
Rally by Sections		Signaled skirmishers to assemble in groups of 25 in a similar formation to rally by fours. Command "Rally by Section"
Rally by Platoons		If the Rally by sections is ineffective the Commander would command rally by platoons (approx 50 men). Command "Rally by Platoons"
Rally on the Reserve		When this signal is sounded the skirmishers would quickly fall back to the reserve company and fall in to complete the reserve companies formation.
Rally on the Battalion		When this call is sounded all skirmish companies would fall back into companies and reform on the battalion. Command "Rally on the Battalion"
Assemble on the Battalion		This call signaled skirmishers to reform with the reserve and return to their Battalion. Command "