Taps: The Real Story?

I am not really sure of the real story or if this is it but I definitely thought it made for a good read…In the title there is a link to another theory on the origins of the song, but it cannot be disputed that wherever it came from, it belongs to our fallen heroes.

If any of you have ever been to a military funeral in which Taps was played, you already know Taps' sorrow but if not this might give you some insight:

"Here is something every American should know. 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 beginning. 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 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 hills, from the lake,From the sky.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.
Love, good night, Must thou go,When the day, And the nightNeed thee so?All is well. Speedeth allTo their rest.
Fades the light; And afar goeth day, And the stars shineth bright,fare thee well; Day has gone,night is on.
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 stories 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.
Say a short prayer for our soldiers across the world.

"I pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to
the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible,with Liberty and Justice for all."