I have heard this story before but for those of you who haven't, I'd like to share it. Taps > > 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 story behind the song? If not, I think you will be pleased to find > out about its humble beginnings. > > 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 medical attention. > > 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 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. > Estelle