For those that understand...

[Jack]

During

the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of
a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field.
Not knowing if it was a ffice:smarttags" /><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com

Union</st1lace>
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. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com

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. <o></o>​

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. <o></o>​

The

Captain had asked if he could have a group of
Army band members play a funeral dirge for his
son at the funeral. <o></o>​

<o></o>


The

request was turned down since the soldier was a
Confederate. <o></o>​

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. <o></o>​

This wish was granted.
<o></o>


<o></o>


The haunting melody, <o></o>


we now know as 'Taps' used

at military funerals was born. <o></o>​

<o></o>


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 the 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. <o></o>​

God is nigh.

God is nigh ​

 

[Ian K]

While a nice story, it is not true.

"Taps" was composed by Major General Daniel Butterfield, with a little assistance
from Oliver Willcox Norton, the first bugler to play it.

The Taps Myth
History of Taps - Arlington National Cemetery

Ian

 

[Jack]

Thanks for the correction, My bad for not checking it out.

 

[Pete K.]

Earlier this year my mother sent the same info to me and (of course) I snopes'ed it out and found the same info. I didn't bother to tell my mother... we buried my father last year. Being buried with military honors, taps was played; I'll let her hold on to the story for whatever comfort it provides.

 

[Jack]

Well done Pete K!

 

[Dean Lampe]

I still enjoyed the story. Even thought the origin of "Taps" might be questionable, I like to hear tales of battle field sacrifice/bravery. Not because I am a history buff(I'm not really) but because it gives me a few minutes to think about our soldiers, present and past, fighting for a way of life I to often take for granted.

Cool story, I'm going with your version Moeller! It was probably Butterfield's grandfather who pulled his son off the battlefield generations before. :thumbsup: