MAKE SURE YOU READ THE LAST PAGE FOR
THE TAPS MYTH CHALLENGE
Almost every day when I check my e-mails, I get a message or two asking about or forwarding a story for my comment or enlightenment. It starts with, “It all began during the Civil War…” and goes on to relate the story of a Union Captain Ellicombe and how he finds his wounded Confederate son on a battlefield. The story is that the music of Taps is found in the pocket of the young man and that’s how the call came into being. It is a heartwarming and poignant story…
This story, of course, rates up there with the one that Colonel Oliver North tried to warn us about Osama Bin Laden during Congressional hearings and the one that Lee Marvin and Captain Kangaroo (Bob Keeshan) met as Marines on Iwo Jima,. Both stories contains a kernel of truth somewhere (North did testify at Congressional hearings, and Marvin and Keeshan were both Marines), yet the stories themselves are false. And like them, the Captain Ellicombe story is a yet another MYTH that makes it way around thanks to the Internet. Bad history, and we get to see a lot of it, needs to be corrected.
The story of Captain Robert Ellicombe and his Confederate son is a myth, a fake, a tall tale, a good anecdote to tell around the old campfire, but a story that, outside of the fact it takes place at Harrison’s Landing, holds no truth whatsoever. This is one of those stories that is reprinted and forwarded to others and makes its way around the Internet around Memorial Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day. The story gets printed in papers, newsletters, and, sad to say, even on some military websites as the true version of how the bugle call of Taps came into existence.
I have sounded the call thousands of times as bugler in national cemeteries and at hundreds of memorial services. I am also a bugle historian who has spent much time researching this topic. I was the curator of the Taps Exhibit at Arlington National Cemetery and am a Civil War re-enactor. I, along with other history buffs, have researched the real story and have tried to squash this myth.
Here is a radio interview with Jari recorded May 2011
Here is a Weekend America report on Taps recorded in 2007
More Articles
Tags: myth, ripley's believe it or not, taps
That story was circulated for many years and taken by many people as true. However, If such a person existed, military records do not show it. According to Military records from the Civil War, there was NO Captain Robert Ellicombe in the Union Army. Yet this story has been widely told all around the world and has been believed by many to be the true story of taps.
The story does have a few truths in it. “Taps” was first played in 1862 at a funeral near Harrison’s landing. Further, we know that many fathers wept over the death of their sons in this war. Brother fought against brother and father against sun during this time when our country was divided.
Credit for the music is given by many people to Brigadear General Daniel Butterfield, who had the music played to extinguish lights at bedtime.
The story about the actual playing of Taps at a funeral is “said to be the following:
Tidball’s Battery A of the Second Artillery was in an advanced position. They were a close distance to the enemy and fighting from a concealed position. A young man from the unit had been killed in action, and his friends were trying to bury him with military honors.
This is from The Story of Taps
As Retold by Dr. Mike Lockett, The Normal Storyteller
Wow!! I found you quite by accident, and am I ever glad that I did. I have now for quite a few years heard the FALSE story of how TAPS came to be, and I as so many others believed it! Thank God that I found you! I have bookmarked your site so that I may tell others where they too can learn the truth of this great Bugle Call. I am military veteran of both the US Air Force and the US Army. I am the news editor of my local VFW Post’s newsletter and I want so much to quote you and reference your web site in my Memorial Day edition. Thank you.
Robert
The piece the young girl is playing is Il Silenzio, originally composed in 1965 by Nino Rosso
Recently on PBS TV, a young 12-13 year old girl, played what was introduced as the original TAPS accompanied by the Dutch or Holland Philharmonic. It was an absolutely stunning performance by the young lady, by admitedly was not the 24 note version of TAPS and I have tried to obtain a copy of the music, ever since, to no avail A person could discern the notes of TAPS in the backgroung if you listened real hard, it was not the 24 note TAPS. If I could find this music I would be very happy- thank you for the opportunity to inquire about it.
Sincerely, Robert Royce
Lights out! Life is a light so its such an appropriate Military Service sound for the calling of a member passing over! Its a piece of genius music that sounds respectful and fitting.
I’ve heard this story many times and because of this,I thought it was true.Now I just don’t know.While it does make for a good Taps story,I have not found one good document for or against it.Now if only I had more proof,proof,proof.
There’s nothing a Civil War afficionado loves more than a good myth. That’s why poignant, heart warming stories like Sgt. Kirkland et. al. find such credence, even to the point of having memorial statuary built in their honor. Like you said, they’re nice campfire tales – too bad the reality is so much more mundane, or even unpleasant.
I have the mystical version and shed a tear or two with it’s emotional appeal, however the truth should be told. If it did not originate with the General and his 24 notes, than who and where did it orignate from?
Question? Is taps for use with military deceased only? If so, then it would not be appropriate for ceremonies of non-military government employees, politicians or Merchant Mariners.
I received an email from one of my clients about Capt Ellicombe (TAPS). I have worked with disabled veterans for the past 24 years and was moved by the story and the presentation with all of the words. My first reaction was to pass it along to the clients I have email contact with…but thought I would check it out first and found your site. I don’t know what the truth is…but I found your version, though not as “moving”, to be more plausible. I grew up on military bases, lost my husband during the Vietnam War and these simple notes are a significant part of the fabric of my life. Who ever wrote them lives on in the lives of millions of people not just in this country but around the world. I would like to know if the words that were sent to me are accurate and did the same person who wrote the music write the words. If I can figure out how, I will forward the words I received to you. Appreciate the research you have done.
L. Mark
It’s interesting that you might be a doubting Thomas. One of the things I plan to announce for the 150th anniversary is a substantial prize to anyone who can prove the myth. All that one needs to do is provide unit, hometown and brief bio of Captain Ellicombe and the name of the son.
Still not convinced. My son has been playng the taps for about 20 yrs —so will make my own judgement. Thanks. L.
I am so glad that I found this website. I traditionally speak at our school’s Remembrance Day Service – 500 students. I was planning to use the “Mythical” version of the origin of Taps. Thank you for setting me straight and giving me the proper info. I will put out the message to my friend who sent me the myth.