Pipe-and-drum bands evidently began to be organized throughout the British Army in the 1850s.

Here, however, is evidence that such bands existed - here and/or there - quite a bit earlier. From the New York Gazette, June 9, 1777:

"HALIFAX, June 7, 1777. On Saturday last, was performed here, the Ceremony of Consecrating the Colours of the Second Royal Highland Battalion of Immigrants. Early in the Morning, the Battalion...in the full Highland Dress...marched, with the sound of Pipes and Drums, to the Field."


Edinburgh Advertiser, Oct. 6, 1797:

"On Tuesday the Edinburgh Royal Highland Volunteers marched from Heliot's Green to Leith Sands, with drums beating, pipes playing, colours flying, &c."

Such early references, however, to pipes and drums played together, are very scarce.