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Dedicated to Our Family Veterans
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Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
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.
The Myth
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.
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.