Manual of Arms Polka for Bugle with Brass Quintet

Claudio S. Grafulla (1810-80) was an outstanding bandmaster mostly known to bandsmen as the composer of The Grand March and Washington Greys. He was known also as a talented arranger and during the war was director of the 7th Regimental Band of the New York State Militia (N.Y.S.M) in New York. This band was considered a pace-setter not only for military but also popular music. Manual of Arms Polka was written for the 7th Regiment in 1862 and incorporates the bugle signals of Assembly, Shoulder Arms, Right Face, Left Face, Right About Face, and Fix Bayonets. Some of these calls are not found in the regulation drill manuals of the day and may have been exclusive to the 7th Regiment.

The last section includes the song “Comrades Touch the Elbow.” This was the song of the 9th Company, 7th Regiment, N.Y.S.M. The song describes how Soldiers would “touch the elbow” to steady their nerves as they moved forward together in battle.

Touch the elbow now, my boys!
Comrades, touch the elbow
I Nerve the arm, and banish fear,
And, comrades, touch the elbow