This is the true story of Taps

Reproduced by Richard G. Clark - VFW Post 7955

From a Post on the History Channel Inernet Site

It all began in 1862 during the Civil War when Union Army Captain, Robert Ellcombe, 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 Ellcombe heard moans of a soldier who lay mortally wounded on the battlefield. Not knowing if it was a Union or a Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life to bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment. When the Captain reached his own lines, he discovered the soldier was a Confederate and he was dead. The Captain lit a lamp and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light he saw the face of the soldier was his own SON!

The boy had been studying music in the South before the war broke out. Without telling his father, he had enlisted in the Confederate Army. The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission from his superiors for a military funeral, despite his son's enemy status. His request was only partially granted. The Captain asked for a funeral durge for his son at the funeral. The request was turned down because his son was a Confederate but, out of respect for the Captain, they said they would allow one musician. The Captain chose to have a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of notes he had found in a pocket of the dead youth's uniform. This wish was granted. The bugler played, for the first time, the haunting melody we know today as "Taps." It is played to this day at all military funerals:

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.

Gems the Sky, gleaming bright, from afar

Drawing nigh, Falls the Night.

Thank and praise, for the days

'Neath the Sun, 'neath the Stars, 'neath the Sky.

As we go, this we know, God is nigh.