What means Fifer?
Definition of fifer : one that plays a fife.
What did a Fifer do in the Civil War?
These soldiers, often boys too young to fight or sons of NCOs, were used to help infantry battalions to keep marching pace from the right of the formation in coordination with the drummers positioned at the centre, and relayed orders in the form of sequences of musical signals.
How old were fifers in the Revolutionary War?
This study and the statistics it has produced give a reasonable idea of the age of the average drummer and fifer in the Continental Army, having been found to be about 18 years.
How much is a fife worth?
The Ferrary reproduction fife is priced at $125. Fifes are very durable but require care like any other musical instrument—they need to be cleaned and oiled regularly and stored in appropriate conditions.
Why did armies have flutes?
Some regiments had full bands for use in parades and as entertainment away from the battlefield. The fife was an old instrument, basically a flute with a limited range of notes, and useful on the battlefield because it was pitched so high that its sound carried over many of the sounds of battle.
Who was the youngest soldier in the Revolutionary War?
In the summer of 1776, Joseph Plumb Martin enlisted in the Connecticut state militia at the tender age of 15; he later joined the Continental Army of General George Washington and served nearly seven years on behalf of the Revolutionary cause.
Did Revolutionary soldiers get paid?
Soldiers were promised a pay of $29 per month, a small fortune for the time. Many of the colonies maintained their own currencies and exchange rates. The Continental dollar was almost worthless. Congress often lacked the funds to pay the soldiers, who remained true to the cause of liberty despite the hardships.
How much were British soldiers paid in the Revolutionary War?
eight pence a dayHow much money did the soldier earn? The British redcoat private earned eight pence a day. If he were a corporal or sergeant, that is, enlisted men who oversaw other enlisted men, they could earn more, as much as a shilling or more (twelve pence). Eight pence a day was not a great deal of money.