Fort Stanwix, a colonial outpost on the site of Rome, New York, controlled a principal route from the Hudson River to Lake Ontario, a French trading center built by an English general in 1758. The fort fell into despair until early in the American Revolution, when it was rebuilt by the patriots and called Fort Schuyler in 1777. The fort held against British and Tory forces until reinforcements came to help the siege. Fort Stanwix is a national monument and marks a battle won by the Continental Army.
Those who fought to keep the freedom they came to this new land to find followed directions given mostly through means of the drum.
The drum controlled a soldier’s day. The drummer in each regiment played different beats to tell the soldiers where they should be and what they should be doing.
“Reveille” was beat at sun-up. It meant it was time for the soldiers to get up and get ready for the day. Sometimes “The General” was beat instead of “Reveille.” That meant soldiers needed to take down their tents and be ready to march from the camp.
Troops were summoned at eight in the morning during the summer and at nine in the winter, with the sound of the drumbeat calling them to gather or assemble so the officer could call the roll and inspect the men.
“Retreat” played at sunset. The roll was called again, and orders were given for the work to be done the next day. The soldiers would then have dinner and time to clean their equipment or to mend their clothing. They played games, cards, and dice, and they pitched pennies. Gambling was not allowed, but…
“Battle” beat was an unlucky day. The soldiers might fight in a battle, so the drum signaled the army where to march, which way to face and when to fire. The drum was used because it could be heard over human voices and the noise of battle.
Benedict Arnold lied to the British about the size of the American army: The Battle of Oriskany August 6, 1777.