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The story behind taps: ("TAPS" is the song a bugler plays for a military funeral and at
2200 hours on a military base.)
We have all heard the haunting melody of "Taps." It's
the song that gives us that lump in our throats and usually tears in our
eyes. But do you know the rest of the story behind the song? If
not, I think you will be pleased to find out about its humble
beginning.
Reportedly, it all began in
1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near
Harrison's Landing, 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 was 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 aid.
Crawling on his stomach
through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward the 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
had enlisted in the Confederate Army.
The
following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission 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 denied since the soldier was a Confederate. But, out of
respect for the father, they did say they could give him 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, which we now know as "Taps," used at
military funerals, was born:
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, gleaning 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.
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