Taps
The Story Behind Taps
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 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 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.
Steve and Brigid 
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