> 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.