The History of Taps

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