The Uniforms and Role of Musicians in the British Army during the American War of Independence

Army musicians played a very important role in the American War of Independence, and indeed in the entire Long 18th Century. They were a means of communication for the army, both in camp and in the field, and were very important to a force's daily operation. They were generally dressed very differently from their regimental counterparts, and in some regiments the coat of a drummer or fifer would literally be the "reverse" of a regular private's coat. The uniforms of the British army during the American War of Independence were set by the 1768 Royal Clothing Warrant, and this included the distinguishable design of a musician's uniform.

The 1768 Royal Clothing Warrant

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