As a writer, I strive to engage all the senses in my scenes. In the book I’m working on at the moment, I have Redcoat drums on Lexington Green. VERY LOUD DRUMS!
Where did I come up with this idea?
You got it, from April Morning. This time, the movie. (Read here about me throwing the book across the room.)
One of the things that really made an impression on me when I watched this movie was how loud the drums were as the Redcoats marched onto the Green. It was the first time I had thought about it. That roar was very intimidating and I’m certain that the Redcoats made use of them, in part, because of the intimidation factor.
I’m sure that our “shopkeepers and farmers” there on the Green had a visceral response to the sound of the drums. Hands sweating. Heart racing. Head pounding.
Or at least I was certain.
Until I read this.
The story of Patriots’ day, Lexington and Concord, April 19, 1775; by Varney, George Jones
It mentions here that the normal drum was suppressed and the men prohibited from conversation. Okay, the Redcoats, at this point, supposed they were on a secret mission. As they passed through town after town, hearing alarm bells and signal guns, they began to suspect that the secret was out.
So, no drums?
I’m not so sure.
It wasn’t long after this that the Redcoat forces were flagged down by Major Mitchell. He’s the one that captured Paul Revere. Revere told him that there were five hundred militia men waiting in Lexington and Mitchell high-tailed it to report this to Colonel Smith.
When Smith heard this, he ordered his army to affix bayonets and load their muskets. The secret was most definitely out.
It’s just an informed guess at this point – and I won’t stop looking for an answer. But I think they enlisted the drums for the rest of their march to Lexington. And on to Concord.
So, when you read my next book, the response of our men to the drums will be in there. Unless I find out differently.