History of 'Taps'

GLADYS SHAY / For the Hungry Horse News

My thanks to Ruth Chapman for giving me the idea for this column. Ruth and husband, Buck, are longtime area residents.

"Taps' has been special for Ruth through the years. She was not aware there were words until they were printed on memorial used at Dan Anderson's funeral. She learned others were unaware of the verses, also.

Chapman's daughter, Beverly Chapman, who lives in Seattle, searched online and sent "Taps' information to her parents.

There were two stories concerning "Taps."

Perhaps I am more sentimental, but prefer version of the musical notes found on a piece of paper in the pocket of a dead soldier's uniform.

It was reported Capt. Robert Ellicombe of the Union Army was near Harrisburg's Landing in Virginia. He heard moans of a mortally wounded soldier on the field during the night. Captain Ellicombe, not knowing if it was a Confederate or Union soldier, went to his aid.

There was gunfire, but he crawled to the soldier, pulling him towards his encampment. Captain Ellicombe reached his own lines and discovered it was a Confederate soldier and the youth was dead. He lit a lantern, saw the face of the soldier, and realized it was his son. The youth had been studying music in the south and had enlisted in the Confederate Army without telling his father.

Captain Ellicombe requested a military burial for his son. This was partially granted but his request for the Army band to play a funeral dirge for his son was refused. They gave permission for one musician to play and the captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes written on a piece of paper in his son's uniform pocket.

This became "Taps," and made official bugle call after the Civil War.

Other information credits General Daniel Adams Butterfield with the help of Oliver Willcox Norton, Brigade bugler, for writing "Taps." Camp was at Harrison's Landing, Virginia, following the Seven Days battle.

The general felt "Extinguish Lights' (Lights Out) was too formal. He adapted the tune to honor his men. It was played one night in July, 1882.

It was reported both Union and Confederate soldiers used the tune.

I did not know there were six verses for "Taps," as we always used just one verse through the years of church camps and scouting.

February is the "patriotic month" and President's Day is Monday, Feb. 15 so feel it appropriate to print "Taps' verses in my column.

The first verse is the one I was familiar with through the years.

"Taps"

Day is done, Gone the sun,

From the lakes, From the hills,

From the sky.

All is well, safely rest.

God is nigh.

Day is done, gone the sun,

From the hills, from the lakes,

From the skies.

All is well, safely rest,

God is nigh.

Go to sleep, peaceful sleep,

May the solider or sailor,

God keep.

On the land or the deep,

Safe in sleep.

Love, good night, Must thou go,

When the day, And the night

Need thee so?

All is well. Speedeth all

To their rest.

Fades the light; And afar

Goeth day, And the stars

Shineth bright,

Fare thee well; Day has gone,

Night is on.

Thanks and praise, For our days,

'Neath the sun, 'Neath the stars,

'Neath the sky,

As we go, This we know,

God is nigh .

Gladys Shay is a longtime resident of Columbia Falls and a Hungry Horse News columnist.