Of all the military bugle calls,
none is so easily recognized or more apt to render emotion than Taps. Up to
the Civil War, the traditional call at day's end was a tune, borrowed from the
French, called Lights Out. In July of 1862, in the aftermath of the bloody
Seven Days battles, hard on the loss of 600 men and wounded himself, Union
General Daniel Adams Butterfield called the brigade bugler to his tent. He
thought "Lights Out" was too formal and he wished to honor his men. Oliver
Wilcox Norton, the bugler, tells the story, "...showing me some notes on a
staff written in pencil on the back of an envelope, (he) asked me to sound
them on my bugle. I did this several times, playing the music as written. He
changed it somewhat, lengthening some notes and shortening others, but
retaining the melody as he first gave it to me. After getting it to his
satisfaction, he directed me to sound that call for Taps thereafter in place
of the regulation call. The music was beautiful on that still summer night and
was heard far beyond the limits of our Brigade. The next day I was visited by
several buglers from neighboring Brigades, asking for copies of the music
which I gladly furnished. The call was gradually taken up through the Army of
the Potomac."
This more emotive and powerful Taps was soon adopted throughout the
military. In 1874 It was officially recognized by the U.S. Army. It became
standard at military funeral ceremonies in 1891. There is something singularly
beautiful and appropriate in the music of this wonderful call. Its strains are
melancholy, yet full of rest and peace. Its echoes linger in the heart long
after its tones have ceased to vibrate in the air.
- from an article by Master Sergeant Jari A Villanueva,
USAF.
