The Story of Taps

[m-37Bruce]

As Memorial Day approaches I want ed to pass along some info that I received form Washington DC/Veterans Affairs.
I also learned something that I didn't already know, so enjoy it & thank a Vet when you have the opportunity.


Army bugler playing TapsThe 24-note bugle call known as “taps” is thought to be a revision of a French bugle signal, called “tattoo,” that notified soldiers to cease an evening’s drinking and return to their barracks or garrisons. It was sounded one hour before the bugle call that brought the military day to an end by ordering the extinguishing of fires and lights. The last five measures of the tattoo resemble the modern day "Taps."

The word “taps” is an alteration of the obsolete word “taptoo,” derived from the Dutch “taptoe.” Taptoe was the command -- “Tap toe!” -- to shut (“toe to”) the “tap” of a keg.

The revision that gave us present-day taps was made during America ’s Civil War by Union Gen. Daniel Adams Butterfield, heading a brigade camped at Harrison Landing, Va., near Richmond. Up to that time, the U.S. Army’s infantry call to end the day was the French final call, "L’Extinction des feux.” Gen. Butterfield decided the “lights out” music was too formal to signal the day’s end. One day in July 1862, he recalled the tattoo music and hummed a version of it to an aide, who wrote it down in music. Butterfield then asked the brigade bugler, Oliver W. Norton, to play the notes and, after listening, lengthened and shortened them while keeping his original melody.

He ordered Norton to play this new call at the end of each day thereafter, instead of the regulation call. The music was heard and appreciated by other brigades, who asked for copies and adopted this bugle call. It was even adopted by Confederate buglers. This music was made the official Army bugle call after the war, but not given the name “taps” until 1874.

The first time taps was played at a military funeral may also have been in Virginia soon after Butterfield composed it. Union Capt. John Tidball, head of an artillery battery, ordered it played for the burial of a cannoneer killed in action. Not wanting to reveal the battery’s position in the woods to the enemy nearby, Tidball substituted taps for the traditional three rifle volleys fired over the grave. Taps was played at the funeral of Confederate Gen. Stonewall Jackson 10 months after it was composed. Army infantry regulations by 1891 required taps to be played at military funeral ceremonies. Taps now is played by the military at burial and memorial services and is still used to signal “lights out” at day’s end.

[Wayne64]

Thanks Bruce, way to many in this country either don't know nor understand how important and moving that bugle call is. I have heard that sad and sweet melody way too many times, and each time I always have tears. Today I kept a low profile as to me Memorial Day is not like July 4th. But I spoke to all living members of my combat squad and we remembered those lost in 68/69.

[m-37Bruce]

As well as several other very patriotic songs, went to the American Legion Service @ the Virginia War Memorial, quite a ceremony.
My big boss, sort-of, who retired in 84', is now the Chancellor Emeritus of University of Richmond is a Iwo Jima survivor (he's quite a character) was in attendance as well.

I'll post some pic's of the festivities in a bit.

[m-37Bruce]

If you click the pic, it will take you to my webshots page, I have a couple of vid clips of the pipers/drums.