This is interesting ... I did not know this ... wonder if any of you did ...!


           



            Here is something every American should know.
          Until I read this, I did not know, but I checked it out and it is true:

          We, the United States, have all heard the haunting song  "TAPS".
          It is the song that gives us the 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 interested 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 in Virginia.
          The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land.


            
 
D        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 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.