---Author Unknown
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 a 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. 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 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.
Remember those lost and harmed while serving their country, and also those presently
serving in the Armed Forces.
