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From: yogibare007@cs.com
Date: 11/11/2003
Time: 5:56:53 PM
Remote Name: 152.163.252.1
TAPS- This was shared with me and I'd like to share with you.
"It all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when UnionArmy Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harris'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 Unior 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 the 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 saw the face of the soldier. It was his son. The boy had been studing 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. The captain had asked if to have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for the son at the funeral. The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate. Out of respect for the fater, 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. This music was the haunting melody we now know as "TAPS" that is used at all military funerals". These are the words:
Day is done, Gone the sun, From the lakes, From the hills, From the sky. All is well. Safely rest. God is nigh.
This was shared to me by "Hack's Band of Brothers".