The Fifes and Drums of Colonial Williamsburg

 September 16 – 21, 2022 ~ By Amy

The compelling music from the fifes and drums has been stirring the hearts of visitors to Colonial Williamsburg since 1958.  Youths of age nine or ten from the local area audition to become a part of the eight-year program. 

In days gone by, music was an integral part of military life.  From Reveille to Taps, to songs of retreat, cease fire, and even songs for mealtimes. 

Dressed in full, period-authentic uniforms, the youth of the Williamsburg Fifes and Drums play most days, using their music in a variety of ways.  On my trips there I have observed them playing while George Washington inspected his troops prior to the battle of Yorktown, they have drilled on the field behind the courthouse, and many times marched down the shady Duke of Gloucester Street. 

As I've become somewhat obsessed with this aspect of visiting Williamsburg, I spent quite a bit of time on their website, looking for the back story.  Much research goes into their uniforms.  Not a button or pocket goes into the design unless it is historically accurate.  During the American Revolution, one fifer, and one drummer were deployed with every company of seventy-five officers and men.  The inverted colors of their uniforms, being predominantly red, marked them as non-combatant. 

In the mid eighteenth century, hunters in the American colonies often wore an off-white fringed shirt.  Opening down the center, it was loose fitting, and fastened with a belt.  In July of 1775, when George Washington became commander of the Continental Army, he needed to quickly find an available uniform with which to clothe his troops. He settled upon the hunting shirt.  “It is designed as a Species of Uniform—both cheap & convenient.” He would later say, “No Dress can be had cheaper, nor more convenient, as the Wearer may be cool in warm weather, and warm in cool weather by putting on under-Cloaths which will not change the outward dress, Winter or Summer—Besides which it is a dress justly supposed to carry no small terror to the enemy, who think every such person a complete marksman.” 

Eventually the blue and red woolen uniform was created and adopted, but the hunting shirt was used throughout the war. 

Marching down Duke of Gloucester towards the Capitol