[CS-FSLUG] OT: Why Taps Is Played

[Fred A. Miller]

Why Taps Is Played

            If any of you have ever been to a military funeral in which taps
 were played; this brings out a new meaning of it.

            We in the United States have all heard the haunting song,
"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 interested 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 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.

            The words are;

            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. I also never knew the story behind the
 song and I didn't know if you had either so I thought I'd pass it along.

            I now have an even deeper respect for the song than I did
before.

-- 
Someone is a liberal when you can't reason them out of
anything, because they never reason themselves into any
position.