Taps

[Guest guest]

Not in line with a Consol Subject, but Iam going to send it along anyway.

I spent 25 years in the Army and had never heard this story before. It was sent

to me by one of the Police Officers I worked with for many years. Can't say it

is a true story but it sure grabbed by attention. So here we go....

Vern Goldsmith

Newark,CA PD/FD

Retired

We have all heard the haunting song, " Taps. "

But, do you know the story behind the song?

Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the

Civil War, when Union Army Captain Ellicombe was with his men

near on's Landing in Virginia.

The Confederate Army was on the other side of

the narrow strip of land. During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard

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.

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 never knew the story behind the song and I didn't know if any of you had

either, so I thought I'd pass it along.