To all who have given the supreme sacrifice for their countries........
THE STORY BEHIND "TAPS"
It all began 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 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. Suddenly, he 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, 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 he could have a group of Army band
members play a funeral dirge for the son at the funeral. That request
was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate. 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 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. In case you are interested, these are
the words to "TAPS":
Day is done
Gone the sun
From the lakes
From the hills
From the sky
All is well
Safely rest
God is nigh.
Freedom comes at a price which each of us must pay when asked.
Elaine
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Opinions, suggestions, and other controversial matter VOID where prohibited.
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Elaine T. Hunt, Director elaine.hunt@ces.clemson.edu
Laboratory to Advance Industrial Prototyping
Clemson University 206 Fluor Daniel Bldg.
Clemson, SC 29643-0925
864-656-0321 (voice) 864-656-4435 (fax)
http://rafiki.vr.clemson.edu/credo/persall/persall.html
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http://www.vr.clemson.edu/credo/rp.html
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