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    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.
    
    


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