Drummers Quote by Howard Bahr
““They had three cadences, these spectral drummers, which they called First Kings, Second Kings, and Revelations. Going into a fight, they went from one cadence to another with no apparent signal until the officers began to shout commands and men began to fall. Then the drummers began a solemn drill beat that Bushrod believed would be the muttering undertone of every nightmare he would ever have.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Novel of the American Civil War, Howard Bahr, 2005
The passage describes chaotic battle rhythms likened to spectral drummers, creating a nightmarish atmosphere.
In simple terms: Battle sounds create a nightmarish rhythm.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the psychological impact of war sounds.
Themes
war
chaos
psychology
Mood
intense
haunting
Type
literary
descriptive
When to use this quote
- historical fiction
- war memoirs
Key Concepts
cadence
nightmare
military stress
Questions to Reflect On
- How does sound influence soldiers’ morale?
- What does the “drum” symbolize?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may obscure concrete details of combat.
