As with most anything on the internet I don't know if this is true but its a nice story for today regardless.
JT

The real story behind…TAPS!!!

If any of you have ever been to a military funeral in
which taps were played; this brings out a new meaning
of it.

Here is something Every American should know.. Until
I read this, I didn't know, but I checked it out and
it's true:

We in the United States have all heard the haunting
song, "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 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 at 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 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.

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

Gleaming 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 before.

Remember Those Lost and Harmed While Serving Their
Country And also those presently serving in the Armed
Forces.