>-----Original Message-----
>From: Pritchett, Clark
>Sent: Thursday, November 09, 2000 7:39 AM
>To: IIP; RDC ALL; RDC Contractors
>Subject: FW: -(;-)}....Taps
>
>
>I figured you guys would like this, who doesn't need some patriotism to
>help
>their day. Especially the one of you who is still British.
>Jon
>
>Subject: Taps... carpe diem
>
>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 Ellisombe 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.
>
>The words are:
>
>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.
>
>I, too, have felt the chills while listening to "Taps" but I have never
>seen all the words to the song until now. I didn't even know there was
>more than one verse. I also never knew the story behind the song and I
>didn't know if you had either so I thought I'd pass it along. I now
>have an even deeper respect for the song than I did.
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