TAPS



We in the United States have all heard the haunting song, "Taps." It's the
song that gives us that lump in our throats and usually tears in our eyes.
But, do you know the story behind the song?
If not, I think you will be interested to find out about its humble
beginnings.

 The Myth
Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army
Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing in
Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of
land. During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who
lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or
Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the
stricken man back for medical attention.
Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the
stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment. When the
Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a
Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead.

The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with
shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own
son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out.
Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.

The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his
superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status.
His request was only partially granted.
The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a
funeral dirge for his son at the funeral. The request was turned down since
the soldier was a Confederate. But, out of respect for the father, they did
say they could give him only one musician. The Captain chose a bugler. He
asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece
of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform.
This wish was granted.

The haunting melody, we now know as "Taps" ... used at military funerals
was born.

 


I, too, have felt the chills while listening to "Taps" but I have never seen
all the words to the song until now. I didn't even know there was more than
one verse. I also never knew the story behind the song and I didn't know if
you had either so I thought I'd pass it along. I now have an even deeper
respect for the song than I did before.

The Truth

Taps was composed in July 1862 at Harrison's Landing in Virginia, but after that the fanciful e-mail quoted above Day is done parts way with reality. There was no dead son, Confederate or otherwise; no lone bugler sounding out the dead boy's last composition. How the call came into being was never anything more than one influential soldier deciding his unit could use a bugle call for particular occasions and setting about to come up with one.

If anyone can be said to have composed 'Taps,' it was Brig. Gen. Daniel Butterfield, Commander of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, V Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, during the American Civil War. Dissatisfied with the customary firing of three rifle volleys at the conclusion of burials during battle and also needing a method of ceremonially imparting meaning to the end of a soldier's day, he likely altered an older piece known as "Tattoo," a French bugle call used to signal "lights out," into the call we now know as 'Taps.' (Alternatively, he wrote the whole thing from scratch, a possibility not at all supported by his lack of musical background and ability.)

Whether he wrote it straight from the cuff or improvised something new by rearranging an older work, Butterfield brought 'Taps' into being. With the help of his bugler, Oliver W. Norton of Chicago, the concept was transformed into its present form. "Taps" was quickly taken up by both sides of the conflict, and within months was being sounded by buglers in both Union and Confederate forces.

Then as now, 'Taps' serves as a vital component in ceremonies honoring military dead. It is also understood by American servicemen as an end-of-day 'lights out' signal.

When "Taps" is played at a military funeral, it is customary to salute if in uniform, or place your hand over your heart if not.

Barbara "tap answer" Mikkelson

                                  Taps

          Day is done ... Gone the sun ... From the lakes ... From the hills ...
          From the sky . All is well ... Safely rest ...                                           
          God is nigh...                                                                                            

          Fading light ... Dims the sight ... And a star ... Gems the sky .        
          Gleaming bright . From afar ... Drawing nigh ...                                 
          Falls the night ...                                                                                     

          Thanks and praise ... For our days ... Neath the sun ... Neath the stars
          ... Neath the sky ... As we go ... This we know .                                     
          God is nigh ...                                                                                             
 



REMEMBER THOSE LOST AND HARMED WHILE SERVING
THEIR COUNTRY.

And also those presently serving in the Armed Forces..

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