As the title states; I was very curious about this subject because using this image as a reference, it would seem that the flag and band members didn't carry any weapons and only held the flags or played their instruments. However, I wonder do these individuals survive long enough or is there a rule of war/combat of that era that said not to kill these folks while they held the flag or played their drums. Just seems like a futile experience to drum along and get killed. So I would like to inquire as these guys and if they fight or are they not allowed to be killed for some reason or whatever? Also, I know the flag bearers seem to carry into the American Civil War and I think it didn't really go beyond that.
No, there was no rule against it, and being in the color guard was considered a high honor precisely because it was so exceptionally dangerous. The flag made an obvious target for enemy infantry and artillery, and in close-range fighting both sides might attempt to capture the enemy's standards.
Happily for the band, they were often in the rear. But bands are complicated, and were never used in a standard way. Each company tended to have a handful of musicians; commonly drummers of some type, fifers, and/or buglers. But each regiment could detach the musicians from each company and assemble into a regimental band that might stay in the rear, rather than march with their companies. This was sometimes done, sometimes not. Musicians were important in relaying orders, and so having musicians posted to the headquarters and in each company was part of battlefield communication and coordination.
I've written more about musicians and colors here, and a bit more about what the colors might mean for veterancy and shared unit experience here.
