Brandywine Colonials
Fife and Drum Corps
Our Arms
Our Arms
Tools of Command, Symbols of Honor
In the ranks of the Continental Army, not all weapons were forged solely for combat — some carried the weight of command, tradition, and unshakable duty. The drum major’s mace signaled movement with silent authority, guiding the fifes and drums through the rhythms of war. The officer’s spontoon, both badge of rank and last line of defense, stood tall beside the colors as a symbol of leadership and resolve. And in the hands of a trusted soldier, the musket with fixed bayonet served not only as a weapon of war, but as a sacred trust — to guard the flag, to hold the line, and to never let the standard fall. These instruments were not mere tools; they were the very language of command and courage on the battlefield of liberty.
The Drum Major's Mace
In the 18th century, the drum major’s mace was more than just a staff, it was the guiding instrument of the field music. Wherever fifes and drums marched, the drum major led the way, mace in hand, issuing commands with sweeping gestures and precision flourishes.
What Did It Look Like?
The Continental Army's maces were typically four feet in length, crafted from wood and often adorned with brass or silver fittings. At the top sat a rounded metal head, often brass, giving the mace both visual weight and ceremonial presence. the base was capped in metal to withstand wear during long marches and drill. Though elegant in form, the mace was built for function.
What Was It Used For?
The mace served as the visual command tool of the field music. On a noisy battlefield or bustling parade ground, a clear motion from the drum major’s mace could signal:
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A halt or step-off
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A change in tempo or direction
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A call to attention or salute
It also held ceremonial importance, symbolizing the drum major’s authority and the discipline of the corps. To this day, the mace remains a proud emblem of tradition — a reminder that military music was not just heard, but seen and led with unmistakable purpose.
The Officer's Spontoon
A striking symbol of authority on 18th-century battlefields, the spontoon was more than just a weapon — it was a badge of rank and a vital tool of command.
What Is a Spontoon?
The spontoon was a type of military polearm, roughly six to seven feet long, featuring a leaf-shaped spearhead mounted on a long wooden shaft. Often flanked by two small decorative side-lugs or wings, its design echoed the earlier pike but was scaled down for greater mobility. The shaft was often stained dark and sometimes adorned with brass fittings or tassels.
Who Carried It?
In the Continental Army, the spontoon was typically carried by commissioned officers — most commonly lieutenants and captains — to signal their rank and direct troops in the field. While sergeants often carried halberds, the spontoon was the distinct mark of a gentleman officer leading from the front.
A Tool of Command — and Defense
Like the drum major’s mace, the spontoon functioned as a visual signaling device. Officers used it to:
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Point toward a line of advance or retreat
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Issue silent commands to troops or musicians
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Maintain order in the ranks
But the spontoon was also no mere ornament. In moments of crisis, especially when the regimental colors (flags) were threatened, officers could use the spontoon to defend the standard bearer — acting as a last line of protection for the flag that symbolized the honor of the entire corps.
The Flag Defender's Musket
In the hands of a Continental soldier, the musket was more than just a tool of war — it was a line of defense between the enemy and the sacred regimental colors. For those assigned to protect the flag, the musket was a shield, a statement, and a solemn responsibility.
What Kind of Musket Was It?
The standard infantry weapon of the Continental Army was the .69–.75 caliber smoothbore flintlock musket, most often:
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The British “Brown Bess” (captured or imported)
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The French Charleville musket (especially after France entered the war)
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Or locally produced American models patterned after those European arms
These were long-barreled, muzzle-loading firearms equipped with fixed bayonets, which transformed them from firearms into short spears in close combat.
Musket in the Hands of a Flag Defender
Soldiers assigned to protect the regimental colors — often NCOs or veteran privates — carried their loaded muskets with bayonets fixed. Their role was clear:
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Fire in defense of the standard if charged
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Stand fast in formation, even as lines broke
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Engage in hand-to-hand combat if the enemy reached the colors
To serve in this capacity required iron discipline, because abandoning the flag was unthinkable. These men were expected to hold their ground at all costs — and the musket, with its single deadly shot and cold steel bayonet, was their instrument of duty.
A Weapon of Symbol and Steel
Though the musket could be slow to reload and inaccurate at long distances, in the hands of the guard of the colors, it was wielded with purpose: To protect the emblem of the regiment — its colors — even unto death. It wasn’t just a weapon. It was a pledge to stand firm when all others faltered.
