The Story of Taps

[hammersley]

Ok I know this doesn't belong here - but I don't want it to go in the Other site where not many see it So here goes:

I never knew the history behind the song, "Taps". Thought you'd like to know it's story.

We have all heard the haunting song, "Taps." It's the song that gives
us that lump in our! throats and usually creates 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 it's 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, Captain Ellicombe 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 war broke out.

! Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confede rate 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. Captain Ellicombe 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 ofmusical
notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniformThis wish was granted. The haunting melody, we now know as "Taps" used at military funerals, and at the end of each day on US military bases was
born.
Day is done.,,,Gone the sun........From the lakes....... From the hills......... From the skies.......... 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 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.

Pray for our military!