Tuesday, June 8, 2010

The Artillery Song

Each of the Arms and Services have their own song. These songs are played during a "march in review" at a parade or muster. From Garry Owen (Armor and Cavalry), Cadets on Parade (Infantry), Essayons (Engineers), to Caissons of the Artillery. When the lord high muckety-mucks decided to elevate Caissons to the Army Song, the lyrics became meaningless and they lost the old lyrics. The following are the lyrics to Caissons, as written in the Plilippines during the Moro Rebellion:


Over hill, over dale,
We have hit the dusty trail,
And those caissons go rolling along.
“Count-er march! Right about”
Hear those wagon soldiers shout,
While those caissons go rolling along.

For it’s Hi! Hi! Hee! in the Field Artillery,
Call off your numbers loud and strong
2, 3, 4
And where-e’re we go
You will always know
That those caissons are rolling along.
(Keep ’em rolling)
That those caissons are rolling along.

To the front, day and night
Where the doughboys dig and fight
And those caissons go rolling along.
Our barrage will be there
Fired on the rocket’s glare
While those caissons go rolling a-long.
For it’s Hi! Hi! Hee! in the Field Artillery,
Call off your numbers loud and strong
2, 3, 4
And where-e’re we go
You will always know
That those caissons are rolling along.
(Keep ’em rolling)
That those caissons are rolling along.
Battery Halt!

The counter march right about were important because the field artillery cannon were pulled by horses connected to the caisson (ammunition wagon) which supported the trail of the cannon or howitzer. Artillery would enter the battle facing the enemy then counter march, every section going right about so the guns faced the enemy, and that wouldn't run into each other while doing it.

Calling off your numbers referred to the jobs of each cannoneer during the process of emplacing and shooting the piece. Each cannoneer had a number from 1 to 6 to 12 (depending on the size of the crew). Calling off their numbers announced that they were in position and ready to continue with the (fire) mission. The lower numbers were reserved for assistant gunners, loaders, fuse cutters, powder cutters, rammers, and ammunition suppliers. The other parts of the Army did not do this, so it was always an interesting occasion for other observers. This is still done today for training new cannoneers at Ft. Sill Oklahoma.