The Tradition of Taps

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 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 man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through gunfire the Captain reached the wounded soldier and begins pulling him toward his encampment.

When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered that it was a Confederate soldier, but he was already 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, his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out, and without telling his father he enlisted in the Confederate Army.

The following morning, heart broken, the father asked his superiors permission to give his son a full military burial despite his enemy status.

His request was partially granted. The Captain had asked if a group of Army band members could play a funeral dirge during the service. That request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate.

Out of respect for the father, they did say he could have one musician. The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of his son's uniform.

His wish was granted and the music was the haunting melody we now know as "Taps" which is played at all military funerals and memorial services.

THESE ARE THE WORDS TO "TAPS":