Posted: 11:01 PM - Jun 02, 2003
(This story was sent to me by Cousin Ralph Shipp)
THE STORY OF "TAPS"
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.
REMEMBER THOSE LOST AND HARMED WHILE SERVING
THEIR COUNTRY.
And also those presently serving in the Armed
Forces
"It is well war is so terrible, else we
should grow too fond of it".
General Robert E. Lee, battle of
Fredricksburg, Dec. 13, 1862
====================================================================
THE STORY OF "TAPS"
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.
REMEMBER THOSE LOST AND HARMED WHILE SERVING
THEIR COUNTRY.
And also those presently serving in the Armed
Forces
"It is well war is so terrible, else we
should grow too fond of it".
General Robert E. Lee, battle of
Fredricksburg, Dec. 13, 1862
====================================================================