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Songs and Oaths:
Up to the time of the Civil War, a bugler or drummer would signal the end of the day by playing of a tune called "Lights Out". This tune was borrowed from the French tune also called "Lights Out" ("L'Extinction des feux"), which was used for the same purpose. In June 1862, Union General Daniel Adams Butterfield (Third Brigade, First Division, Fifth Army Corps, Army of the Potomac) lost 600 men and was wounded during the Seven Days battles in Virginia. In the aftermath of the battles, Butterfield wanted to honor his men but felt that "Lights Out" was not appropriate. So he called his bugler, Private Oliver Wilcox Norton, to his tent. Butterfield had written a tune on the back of an envelope and asked Norton to play it. After several revisions, Norton was ordered to play the piece that night and at the end of each day instead of the regulation call. Buglers from nearby camps heard the new call and liked it. The tune spread and was made the official Army bugle call after the Civil War. It took the name "Taps" in 1874. The first time "Taps" was played at a military funeral may have been in Virginia soon after Butterfield composed it. Union Captain John Tidball, head of an artillery battery, ordered it to be played for the burial of a cannoneer killed in action. The Captain did not want to reveal his battery's position to the enemy so he substituted "Taps" for the traditional three rifle shots over the grave. "Taps" was also adopted by the Confederate Army as well. In fact, it was played at the funeral of Confederate General Stonewall Jackson. In 1891, Army infantry regulations required "taps" to be played at military funeral ceremonies.
This audio version of "Taps" was obtained from the United States Air Force (USAF) Heritage of America Band. Visit the USAF Heritage of America Band's official Web site for other patriotic songs. Last updated: February 1, 2007 |
"Taps"
is a 24-note bugle call. It is played by the military at burial and
memorial services, when the U.S. flag is lowered, and to signal the
"Lights Out" command at the end of the day. While the tune
for "Taps" is sad it also suggests a sense of rest and peace.
The origin of "Taps" can be traced back to the Civil War (1861-65).
