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.

R eportedly, 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 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 bugle. 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.
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 for the song than I did before.