I received this in an email; is it true? (about Military Taps)?

Question

Subject: Taps


> AN INTERESTING HISTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>
> 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 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 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 grant ed.
>
> 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. Also Remember
> Those Who Have Served And Returned; and for those presently serving in the
> Armed Forces.

OKAY EVERYBODY... IF I COULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CHOOSE A BEST ANSWER AFTER JUST POSTING THE ? I WOULD HAVE.
BUT, Y!A WONT LET ME.
THANKS JJK ..

Answer 1

it was written by that guy but not for his son.. here, you can read all about it..

http://www.snopes.com/music/songs/taps.asp

Answer 2

Contrary to a recent Urban Legend, the tune of taps was written (or rather, adapted) by Union General Dan Butterfield of Utica NY in 1862 during the Civil War. The story varies as to the original source of the song. One source says that Taps is actually adapted from the French "Tatoo" ("Extinguish Lights") that was played at the close of business. Family history, however, says the song was actually written by confederate Milton Butterfield, a relative of General Dan who gave the song to the General written on the back of an envelope during a truce. This is confirmed in a letter brigade bugler Oliver Wilcox Norton wrote to a newspaper in 1898, indicating that he had been given the tune written on a back on an envelope.

The newspaper wrote General Dan Butterfield, then living in Cold Springs, NY., to confirm the story. Here is a portion of his response:

"I had composed a call for my brigade, to precede any calls, indicating that such were calls, or orders, for my brigade alone. The call of Taps did not seem to be as smooth, melodious and musical as it should be, and I called in some one who could write music, and practiced a change in the call of Taps until I had it suit my ear, and then, as Norton writes, got it to my taste without being able to write music or knowing the technical name of any note, but, simply by ear, arranged it as Norton describes."

Later, at a Union military funeral, Taps was substituted for the customary rifle volleys at the graveside. It seems that Union officers were worried that the ceremonial gunshots would set off an attack by the edgy Confederates. Taps was well on its way to becoming the nation's requiem.

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the hills, from the lake,
From the skies.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.

Go to sleep, peaceful sleep,
May the soldier or sailor,
God keep.
On the land or the deep,
Safe in sleep.

Answer 3

Neat story just some things about it makes me doubt ti's integetry, such as, the military honors part, Union and Rebels sloigers did bury each other with full military honers durring the civil war, it's one of the reasons that Americans civil war was so diffrent from so many other civil wars, we still fully respected the other side, almost ever genral went to school at west point with genrals from the other side.

Also there are no offical words that go to Taps but the ones you provided are popular ones.

Here's a link to a site that covers taps

Answer 4

Never knew of the history except when it first was used. The whole fighting amongst family that occurred in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars made those wars so heartbreaking and to think how a father must have felt to find his own son dead in the opposing army's uniform and thinking how his orders might of sent the bullet flying into his son.

Answer 5

I always heard the song was written by General Butterworth during the Civil War. He used it as a signal to the troops in his brigade to indicate the end of the day.

Answer 6

Very interesting! God Bless America, and all those who serve and have served to protect and defend her.

Answer 7

Interesting, but not true. You can check it out at Snopes.

Answer 8

sorry not clue about it at all.

Answer 9

if you checked it out and it's true , why ask ?