THE STORY OF “THE LAST POST"

Reportedly, this originates from 1862 during the American 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 towards 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 went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of his own son.

The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy had 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 as the Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members to play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral. The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate.

Out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him 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 ‘The Last Post’ used at military funerals was born. The words are:

Day is done, Gone is the sun ... From the lakes. From the hills. From the sky.

All is well. Safely rest, God is nigh. Fading light. Dims the sight.

And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright. From afar...drawing nigh. Falls the night.

Thanks and praise. For our days. ‘Neath the sun, ‘neath the stars, ‘neath the sky.

As we go. This we know. God is nigh.

That apparently is the myth according to information sourced from this website http://tapsbugler.com/the-taps-myth/2/

They say that there is no proof that a Captain Robert Ellicombe ever existed. The myth gives no indication of what unit or state he served. In order to be believed, one needs to produce muster, discharge or pension papers and background history of both father and son, units, etc. Also, where is the son’s grave? There is no basis at all to the story, except that it also occurred near Harrison’s Landing in July 1862, where the true birth of Taps took place.

The true story may not tug at the heartstrings as much but certainly can be documented and shown to be the correct factual story of how Taps came into being.

So where did this myth come from?

Historians have traced this tale to a Ripley’s “Believe It Or Not” story that Robert Ripley created for his short-lived TV program in 1949. 

The Taps myth took on a life of its own and was even printed as fact in an Ann Landers or Dear Abby column. A retraction was later printed. It has acquired a renewed life on the Internet and is spread by many unsuspecting but well-meaning people who believe it to be true. It is unfortunate to see it on websites, especially military and veterans’ sites that should know better. It is hoped that those who are interested in history will spread the word to stop the myth.

We know much about the two men involved with the creation of Taps. Both Daniel Adams Butterfield and Oliver Willcox Norton survived the Civil War and went on to become prosperous and respected businessmen and citizens. They wrote about their Civil War experiences and of the creation of Taps in July 1862.

For a historically accurate and fitting arrangement for performance see, “Extinguish Lights” (or Taps) on page 38 of The Bugler’s Call Book under the heading: Cavalry Calls, contained in the back of Elias Howe’s United States Regulation Drum and Fife Instructor published in 1861.

Most assuredly “Taps” was not a Confederate music composition.

Remember those lost or harmed while serving their country.Also remember those who have served and returned.And those presently serving in the Armed Forces.