Early American 13-inch bamboo military flute. 

A music source for military, fifes helped pass the time but also regulated the Revolutionary War soldier's life. By commands of music, the soldier was notified when to awake in the mornings, when to attend drill, when to stop for meals, and when to report for pay. While fifes were often made from various types of wood from whatever was available at the time, this fife is made from bamboo.