For more about Taps check out http://www.west-point.org/taps/Taps.html Warren Lawrence ----- Original Message ----- From: Larry Clark <leclark@digizen.net> To: <ILMACOUP-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: 23 August, 1999 2:43 PM Subject: [ILMACOUP-L] Taps > THE STORY BEHIND "TAPS" > > 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 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. >