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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


    This call signaled the beginning of the day for soldiers, a time to get up and dressed for the morning roll call.

    Audio Transcript

  • 6:15 AM Assembly


    This call brought soldiers to formation at their barracks for the morning roll call.

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  • 6:40 AM Stable Call


    This call sent dragoons to the stables to care for their horses.

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  • 7:10 AM Sick Call


    This call brought sick soldiers to the hospital for evaluation by the post surgeon.

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  • 7:30 AM Mess Call


    This called soldiers to the mess hall for breakfast.

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  • 7:55 AM Fatigue


    This call indicated for designated soldiers to arrive for fatigue duty. Fatigue duty was sometimes used as a form of punishment and included performing physical tasks such as cleaning, ditch digging, etc.

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  • 8:00 AM First Sergeant's Call


    On hearing this call, company first sergeants reported to post headquarters with their "Morning Reports." These reports gave the number of their men sick, on guard duty, on drill or fatigue, or on special assignment.

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  • 8:15 AM Adjutant's Call


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

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  • 9:00 AM Officer's Call


    The officer's call signaled all officers to assemble.

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  • 9:15 AM Assembly of Guard Detail


    This call signaled soldiers assigned to guard detail to assemble.

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  • 9:30 AM Dress Guard Mounting


    This call indicated the guard mounting or a changing of the guard.

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  • 10:00 AM Drill


    This call signaled soldiers to assemble for drill.

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  • 11:20 AM Stable Call


    This sound called dragoons to the stables to care for their horses.

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  • 12:05 PM Mess Call


    This call instructed soldiers to arrive at the mess hall for a meal.

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  • 1:00 PM Fatigue


    This call indicated designated soldiers to arrive for fatigue duty. Fatigue duty was sometimes used as a form of punishment and included performing physical tasks such as cleaning, ditch digging, etc.

    Audio Transcript

  • 1:30 PM Drill


    This sound called soldiers to assemble for drills.

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  • 3:00 PM Drill


    This sound called soldiers to assemble for drills.

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  • 4:30 PM Recall


    This call was used to signal the end of drills.

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  • 4:45 PM Assembly


    This sound called soldiers to assemble.

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  • 4:50 PM Dress Parade


    This call signaled the commencement of a dress parade, a formal parade on the fort grounds in full uniform.

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  • 4:55 PM To the Colors


    This call honored the flag as it was raised or lowered in lieu of the national anthem.

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  • 5:00 PM Retreat


    This call signaled the end of the day at the fort.

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  • 5:10 PM Stable Call


    This sound called dragoons to the stables to care for their horses.

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  • 6:00 PM Mess Call


    This sound called soldiers to the mess hall for their evening meal.

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  • 8:55 PM Assembly


    This sound was the preparatory call to assemble for tattoo.

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  • 9:00 PM Tattoo


    This call signaled for all lights to be extinguished and loud disturbances ceased as soldiers went to sleep.

    Audio Transcript
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Last updated: May 13, 2022