Section 1

Retreat

13-1. The term “retreat” is taken from the French word “retraite” and refers to the evening ceremony. The bugle call sounded at retreat was first used in the French army and dates to the Crusades. Retreat was sounded at sunset to notify sentries to start challenging until sunrise, and to tell the rank and file to go to their quarters. The ceremony remains as a tradition. The old Cavalry call “To the Standard,” in use from about 1835, has been replaced by the present call of “To the Color.” This remains as music honoring the flag as it is lowered in the evening.