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 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
