Click here for more photos of our Color Guard.
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 pleased 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 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. 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 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, 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.
Pass along the words and history of this moving and uniquely
American song.
