Posted by TerryS/NancyL (198.133.22.73) on October 20, 2000 at 00:03:08:
Subject: Fw: TAPS
> > --->> > TAPS
> > >> >
> > >> > We have all heard the haunting melody of "Taps." It's the song
that
> > >> > gives us that 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 pleased to find out about its humble
> > >> beginnings.
> > >> >
> > >> > Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union
>
> > Army
> > >> > Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing,
> > >> > 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
> >
> > was
> > >> > 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 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 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 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 denied since the soldier was a >
> > Confederate.
> > >> > But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give
him
> >
> > 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, which we now know as "Taps" used at military
> > >> > funerals, was born.
> > >> >
> > >> > 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.