Military drummers - the music

From time immemorial, the world of the French infantryman, whether in camp, at drill, or in the heat of battle, had been punctuated by the rhythmn of drums.  The  primary function of the drums was to transmit orders through a series of  set duty-calls, the  "batteries d’ordonnance" (the cavalry similarly had its trumpets and timpani).   During manoeuvres, the rhythm of the drum served to regulate step and would often be accompanied by simple tunes on the fife, or oboe (hautboi).   

Given the highly personalised command of the Ancien Régime army, the organisation of military drummers was far from uniform.  A typical Regimental "batterie" consisted of a dozen drummers under  the direction of the Drum-Major (Tambour-Major), seconded by a Drum-Master (later Drum-Corporal). Drummers were selected from among the ordinary soldiers,  with  the Drum-Major and Corporal ranking as non-commissioned officers. 

On the parade ground the drummers would normally take up position on the flanks;  on the march some would be  posted at the front of the column and the others bring up the rear.

Watteau, Three studies of a military drummer, 1713, Frick Collection
https://www.frick.org/exhibitions/watteau/225

The Drummer of Arcole

André Estienne,  the "drummer of Arcole", was singled out for particular official recognition, in the Empire, and later under the July Monarchy.  The young volunteer from Cadenet in the Vaucluse distinguished himself at the Battle of Arcole in the First Coalition War, on 16th November 1796, when, as drummer of the 51st Demi-Brigade of the Line, he swam across the river Alpone at the front of his battalion, his drum on his head, and momentarily rallied Bonaparte's discouraged troops to attack the Austrians on the far bank.

"Honneur aux Braves" - André Estienne, the Tambour d'Arcole crosses the river (15th Nov. 1796)
- 19th-century illustration by Pierre Méjanel