Every soldier remembers the 24 haunting notes of Taps from their
first night of boot camp but few understand where the tradition
came from or know what the words to the music are, or what it symbolizes
lt 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 moan of a soldier who lay
mortally 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
moaning 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.
Suddenly, he caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim
light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his only son. The boy had
been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without
telling his father, he 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 partially granted by General
Daniel Sickles. The captain had asked if he could have a group
of Army band members play a funeral dirge for the son at the
funeral. That request was turned down since the soldier was a
Confederate.
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 his dead son's uniform. This
wish was granted. His father added the following words to the
music as a tribute to his fallen son.
This music is the haunting melody we now know as "Taps" that is
used at all military funerals, wreath-laying, memorial services
and played as a Tattoo each evening at all military facilities as a call
which closes the soldier's day.
The Story Behind Taps
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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,
Go to sleep, peaceful sleep,
Love, good night, Must thou go,
Fades the light; And afar
Thanks and praise, For our days,
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Remember Those Who Gave Their All
In paradisum deducant te Angeli:
- Benjamin Britten 1913-1976 | |
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