T A P S

We have all heard the haunting song,
"Taps."
It's the song that gives us that lump in our throats
and usually creates tears in our eyes.
But, do you know the story behind the song?
Here is one story, but its a fable and not acutally the way it wss found,
Its a nice Story
I think you will be pleased to find out about this version of 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 in 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 lay 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 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 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 of his superiors
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 turned down
since the soldier was a Confederate!

But, 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 the dead youth's uniform.
This wish was granted.

The haunting melody, 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,
Gleaming 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.

I too, have felt the chills while listening to
"Taps"
but I have never seen all the words to the song until now.
I didn't even know there was more than one verse of the song
much less different stories of its orgin..
so I thought I'd pass along this version.
The True orgin can be found at
(Click Here for Wikipedia Version)
Click here for West Point's Story
Click here to see Arlington's details
I now have an even deeper respect for the song
than I did before.

      Author Unknown