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TAPS, THE STORY BEHIND THE HAUNTING MELODY OF TAPS
In 1862 during the Civil War, union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia.
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The Confederate Army was on the side of the narrow strip of land.
During the night, Capt. Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who was severely wounded on the field. |
Not knowing if he was a Union or a Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken soldier back for medical attention.
Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward the encampment. |
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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.
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The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy had enlisted in the Confederate Army.
The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission to give his son a full military burial despite his enemy status. |
His request was only partially granted.
The Captain had asked for a group of Army band members to play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral. The request was denied since the soldier was a Confederate. But, out of respect for the father, the Captain's superiors agreed to give him one musician. Captain Ellicombe chose a bugler and 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. Thus, the haunting melody, "Taps" was born and is used at military funerals.
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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
And a star,
Gems the sky,
Gleaning 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.
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