The Trumpeter's Call.

 

Cavalry trumpeter c. 1650

(courtesy www.alamy.com)

Following on from drummer's calls, here are the French trumpeter's calls for the 1670s I have managed to find some information on:

“Bouteselle” - "boots and saddles” -  to get dressed and gather up equipment and tack.

“À cheval” - “to horse” - to mount up.

“À l’étendard” - “to the standard” - to assemble around the company standard.

“Le guet” - "the watch" - to go on guard duty.

“Le retraite” - "the retreat" - to mark the end of the day in garrison.

“La marche” – “the march” - to gather the men together when dispersed.

“La charge” – “the charge” - for a mounted attack.

“La sourdine” – “the mute” - to march quietly.

On the march, the trumpeter was at the head of the squadron, six paces in front of its captain. In battle, they were on the flanks of the squadron.

Some French mounted regiments had also acquired kettledrums by this date, usually having captured them from Imperial cavalry regiments where they were in common use. They took up a position alongside the trumpeter. Dragoon regiments had drummers like the infantry, along with fifes; foot regiments might also have oboes and bagpipes, the latter known as "musetes", which were common in rural France.