What We Do

Members of the Trans-Mississippi Bugle Corps contribute to the hobby of Civil War Reenacting by serving as a camp and battlefield communication system, conducting a School of Bugle Calls, and providing bugling demonstrations for spectators.

Battlefield Communication System
The Trans-Mississippi Bugle Corps uses buglers and bugle signal interpreters to assist the commanding staff in communicating orders to their troops.  At the invitation of the commander, a Bugler is assigned to a particular commander.  Then, during the battles, when ordered to do so, the Buglers send and receive signals amongst themselves, and interpret the signals for their assigned officers. (Much like runners who carry messages from one commander to the next, except we don't run). 

To picture how this works, imagine a scenario with a line of soldiers consisting of three companies (let’s say of 30 men each) and each with their own Sergeant/Lieutenant and the whole line of 90 men under the command of a Captain. Buglers would be assigned to stand by the side of the Captain and each Sergeant/Lieutenant. When the Captain is ready to give a command, instead of trying to shout over gunfire and distance, the Captain calmly tells his bugler what he wants the whole line or a particular company to do. The Captain’s Bugler then sends the appropriate bugle signals which are heard by company Buglers. The company Bugler then tells his Sergeant/Lieutenant of the incoming orders. At this point the Sergeant/Lieutenant will probably shout his orders to his 30 men and the company Bugler may choose to repeat the signal on the bugle for the company.

The scenario works the same on a larger scale where a General or a Major may through their own Bugler, direct major movements on a battlefield by sending signals to the Buglers of the commanders of each branch or brigade. When enough Buglers are present, an order such as “Have the Dismounts fall back, have the Infantry to move to the left, have the Artillery to cease fire, and have the mounted Cavalry charge ahead” can all be effectively communicated across a large and loud battlefield in a matter of seconds.

There are several benefits to using the bugle in this way:

1. It adds to the authenticity of the hobby
2. It saves the voice of the commanders because they don't have to shout over gunfire and distance
3. It allows commanders to send commands much faster and farther than using runners
4. It reduces frustration and chaos
5. It helps the battle scenario run more smoothly
6. It promotes safety and
7. It sounds great

By utilizing the Bugle Corps to send and receive signals amongst themselves and interpret the message of the signal to their assigned commander, commanders are able to enjoy all the benefits of the bugle without they or their men having to learn the calls.

However, we still encourage all reenactors, especially officers, to learn the bugle calls and we do this in the following ways.

School of Bugle Calls
At reenactments, members of the Bugle Corps often conduct a School of Bugle Calls for reenactors and spectators. At the schools, a bugler will explain about the importance of the bugle in the Civil War, demonstrate a few calls, and help the audience memorize a few calls by having  them sing some little songs or "ditties" that go along with the music.  Special attention is given to calls all reenactors should know including Officer's Call, Cease Fire, and others.  CDs are made available at a modest price for those wanting to learn at home.

Drill and Demonstration
At reenactments, the Bugle Corps often solicits a few volunteer combat units to participate in a Bugle Drill and Demonstration.  The Bugle Corps works with these volunteers from Infantry, Cavalry and Artillery units to drill through standard maneuvers at the sound of the bugle. Not only will this serve as a drill exercise for both the units and the buglers, but it is also an enjoyable site for the public.  During theses demonstrations, multiple buglers are dispersed in the field as necessary and a Chief Bugler is positioned in the rear of the troops and near to the spectators.  If a General is participating, he may practice ordering the Chief Bugler to send signals necessary to maneuver dispersed troops as desired.  During the demonstration, spectators may be invited to "be the General" by allowing them to dictate orders to the Chief Bugler who would then forward the signal by bugle and the spectators would get to see and experience how the bugle was actually used in battle during the Civil War.
 
 

How the Trans-Mississippi Bugle Corps is Organized

Sgt. Major Randy McDonald of the 3rd Texas Cavalry is the leader of the Trans-Mississippi Bugle Corps.  However, at any particular event, the chain of command among the buglers may be adjusted depending on the abilities of those in attendance.  In other words, members of the Bugle Corps may take turns serving in different positions and may fall in as appropriate to cooperate with other buglers at a particular event.  If other buglers are already taking the lead at an event, we will ask to add ourselves to their efforts.  Or, if we are leading the bugling at an event, we will hound the other buglers to join in with us.  The more the merrier.

Generally, the assignments at a reenactment will be along the following lines:
 

Join Us

The Bugle Corps is always recruiting new members.  Please consider joining us or mentioning us to your bugling or reenacting friends.  Membership in the Trans-Mississippi Bugle Corps is open to anyone willing to abide by our Corps Commitment.

The Corps Commitment is to:

1. Participate with the Corps in as many events as possible as a Bugler or interpreter
2. Make an honest effort to continually improve your skills and impression as a Bugler

You do not have to abandon your existing reenactment unit in order to join the Bugle Corps.  Most members of the Trans-Mississippi Bugle Corps are already members of some other reenacting unit and keep their primary allegiance to their "home" unit.  However, membership in some other unit is not required and if you have no other home unit, you may consider the Trans-Mississippi Bugle Corps to be your home unit. 

You don't  have to know how to play the bugle in order to join.  Members who do not play, but who have memorized and are able to interpret the signals of a particular branch may serve as Interpreters.  This is an excellent role for an aspiring future commander.  What better way to become familiar with commanding than to stand next to a commander in the field, interpret bugle signals for him, and observe him command his troops accordingly.

Youngsters may join.  For those who are too young to carry a firearm on the battlefield, serving as a Bugler or Interpreter is a fun way to play an important role in the reenacting hobby.  Event battlefield age restrictions are obeyed and youngsters are not allowed to camp with the Bugle Corps unless accompanied by their parent.

Ladies may join.  Women buglers "going man" or dressed as vivandieres may join and march with the Bugle Corps.  However, as with age restrictions, event rules regarding female reenacters will be respected.

We generally chose to attend an event because a unit to which one of our buglers belongs is going to that event.  So, if you join, we will try to go to your units favorite events plus you will be invited to go to some events with the Bugle Corps that your home unit may not be planning to attend.  We usually camp as Confederates but not always.  Depending on the needs of a particular reenactment, we may bugle for the Confederates in one battle, and bugle for the Union in another.

For More Information

If you have questions, would like to join up, or would like to invite the Trans-Mississippi Bugle Corps to your upcoming event, please email Randy McDonald at mcdonald_bugler@yahoo.com.