MEMORIAL DAY

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE



The STORY BEHIND the Song "TAPS"

We have all heard the haunting song, "Taps." It's the song

that gives us that lump in our throats and usually creates 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 it's

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 in Virginia.

The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow

strip of land. During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard

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.