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This was Submitted by Barry McDonald Member NAHC.
THE STORY BEHIND "TAPS"
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It all began 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 moan of a soldier who lay mortally 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.
Suddenly, he 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, he 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 partially
granted. The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play
a funeral dirge for the son at the funeral. That request was turned down since the soldier
was a Confederate. 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
4 musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of his dead son's uniform.
This wish was granted. This music was the haunting melody we now know as "TAPS"
that is used at all military funerals.
In case you are interested, these are the words to "TAPS": Day is done Gone the sun From the lakes From the hills From the sky All is well Safely rest God is nigh.... Author Unknown |