Maybe I'm wrong to post this here, but for those of you who didn't know like me.

Very touching to know the real story...TAPS


If any of
you have ever been to a military
funeral in which taps was played; this brings
out a new meaning of it.


Here is
something Everyone should know. Until I
read this, I didn't know, but I checked it out and
it's true:


Most of us have
all heard the haunting song, 'Taps.' It's the song
that gives us the lump in our throats and usually
tears in our eyes.


But, do you
know the story behind the song? If not, I
think you will be interested to find out about its
humble beginnings.


Reportedly,
it all began in 1862 during the
American 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 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.




The words
are:

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.
Gleaming
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



I too have
felt the chills while listening to 'Taps' but I
have never seen all the words to the song until
now. I didn't even know there was more than
one verse . I also never knew the story
behind the song and I didn't know if you had
either so I thought I'd pass it
along.



I now have an
even deeper respect for the song than I did
before.



Remember
Those Lost and Harmed While Serving Their Country.


Also
Remember Those Who Have Served And Returned; and
for those presently serving in the Armed
Forces.


GOD BLESS ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN SERVING
Quote

wow thankx for that D9ITL8R, that is freakin amazing

who knew that such fabulous information was available
on a so called 'porn' site... even Dr. Joyce Brothers
would be impressed...

kisses on all yer best bits..
SL Quote

wow thankx for that D9ITL8R, that is freakin amazing

who knew that such fabulous information was available
on a so called 'porn' site... even Dr. Joyce Brothers
would be impressed...

kisses on all yer best bits..
SL



D9ITL8R your sentiments are in the right place
Hate to squelch the myth
but, yes, even Dr. Joyce Brothers can be hoodwinked

The Taps myth took on a life of its own and was even printed as fact in an Ann Landers or Dear Abby column. A retraction was later printed. It has acquired a renewed life on the Internet and is spread by many unsuspecting but well-meaning people who believe it to be true. It is unfortunate to see it on websites, especially military and veterans' sites that should know better.

There is no proof that a Captain Robert Ellicombe ever existed. The myth gives no indication of what unit or state he served. In order to be believed, one needs to produce muster, discharge or pension papers and background history of both father and son, units, etc. Also, where is the son's grave? There is no basis at all to the story, except that it also occurred near Harrison's Landing in July 1862, where the true birth of Taps took place.

We know much about the two men involved with the real creation of Taps. Both (General) Daniel Adams Butterfield and Oliver Willcox Norton survived the Civil War and went on to become prosperous and respected businessmen and citizens. They wrote about their Civil War experiences and of the creation of Taps in July 1862.

Taps began as a revision to the signal for Extinguish Lights (Lights Out) at the end of the day. Up until the Civil War, the infantry call for Extinguish Lights was the one set down in Silas Casey's (1801-1882) Tactics, which had been borrowed from the French.

General Butterfield was not pleased with the call for Extinguish Lights, feeling that the call was too formal to signal the days end, and with the help of the brigade bugler, Oliver Willcox Norton (1839-1920), wrote Taps to honor his men while in camp at Harrison's Landing, Virginia, following the Seven Days battle. These battles took place during the Peninsular Campaign of 1862. The new call, sounded that night in July, 1862, soon spread to other units of the Union Army and was reportedly also used by the Confederates. Taps was made an official bugle call after the war.



I know: never let the facts get in the way of a good story Quote

D9ITL8R your sentiments are in the right place
Hate to squelch the myth
but, yes, even Dr. Joyce Brothers can be hoodwinked

The Taps myth took on a life of its own and was even printed as fact in an Ann Landers or Dear Abby column. A retraction was later printed. It has acquired a renewed life on the Internet and is spread by many unsuspecting but well-meaning people who believe it to be true. It is unfortunate to see it on websites, especially military and veterans' sites that should know better.

There is no proof that a Captain Robert Ellicombe ever existed. The myth gives no indication of what unit or state he served. In order to be believed, one needs to produce muster, discharge or pension papers and background history of both father and son, units, etc. Also, where is the son's grave? There is no basis at all to the story, except that it also occurred near Harrison's Landing in July 1862, where the true birth of Taps took place.

We know much about the two men involved with the real creation of Taps. Both (General) Daniel Adams Butterfield and Oliver Willcox Norton survived the Civil War and went on to become prosperous and respected businessmen and citizens. They wrote about their Civil War experiences and of the creation of Taps in July 1862.

Taps began as a revision to the signal for Extinguish Lights (Lights Out) at the end of the day. Up until the Civil War, the infantry call for Extinguish Lights was the one set down in Silas Casey's (1801-1882) Tactics, which had been borrowed from the French.

General Butterfield was not pleased with the call for Extinguish Lights, feeling that the call was too formal to signal the days end, and with the help of the brigade bugler, Oliver Willcox Norton (1839-1920), wrote Taps to honor his men while in camp at Harrison's Landing, Virginia, following the Seven Days battle. These battles took place during the Peninsular Campaign of 1862. The new call, sounded that night in July, 1862, soon spread to other units of the Union Army and was reportedly also used by the Confederates. Taps was made an official bugle call after the war.



I know: never let the facts get in the way of a good story



Thanks Carousel

The next time I receive an email of a story of this magnitude I will definitely do my homework before posting and sharing it.

That said,

GOD BLESS THE MEN AND WOMEN SERVING IN THE MILITARY Quote

I agree God bless out troops, they are so brave, many leave their families just to keep ALL of us safe...god bless them, they have all my respect!!!







xoxo Lily Love Quote