In such films as Barry Lyndon, which is praised for its historical accuracy, we see the British Army using a non-snared drum (or hollow-sounding drum) for military marching.
However in other historically accurate films such as Master and Commander, we hear that the military drum being used is snared (making a high-pitched crack when struck with a drumstick).
In such 18th century historical reconstructions such as the Fortress of Louisbourg and (if I’m not mistaken) Colonial Williamsburg, a drum with a snare is used for military drumming.
Which is historically accurate?
Hi!
As some one who has listened and analyzed lots of Civil War Music! (I did a research paper on Civil War Music) I think I can answer your question, at least for the questions about Military Drums in the U.S! The British Army portion I have no study in!
However, in the United States, many armies had their own bands, for music was almost everywhere! There is even a quote from from General Robert E. Lee which reads, " I don't think we can have an army without music".
Drummers would take part in everyday life, from meal calls, to marching orders! They were very important to military life during the American Civil War! Most drums would be snared in the United States, for the U.S Army tried to standardized the drums that the men brought with them from home Here is a link to what one drum looked like .
The drums were also inspired by the Turkish music revolution that swept over Europe during the 18th century, for that brought the drum and the cymbal! These would find their way into the American Bands during the 18th and 19th centuries!
I hope this answers your questions!
Sources:
https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/ammu/hd_ammu.htm
https://www.notsomoderndrummer.com/not-so-modern-drummer/tag/civil+war
“More than a Drummer Boy's War: A Historical View of Musicians in the American Civil War" by Manjerovic, Maureen, and Michael J. Budds.