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Of all the military bugle calls, none is so
easily recognized or more apt to render
emotion than the call Taps. The melody is both eloquent and haunting and
the
history of its origin is interesting and somewhat clouded in controversy. In the
British Army, a similar
type call known as Last Post has been sounded over soldiers'
graves since 1885, but the use of Taps is unique to
the United States military,
since the call is sounded at funerals, wreath-laying and memorial services.
Taps began as a revision to
the signal for Extinguish Lights (Lights Out) at the end of the day. Up until the Civil
War, the infantry call for
Extinguish Lights was the one set down in Silas Casey's (1801-1882) Tactics, which had
been borrowed from the French.
The music for Taps was adapted by Union General Daniel Butterfield for his
brigade (Third Brigade, First Division,
Fifth Army Corps, Army of the Potomac) in July, 1862.
Daniel Adams Butterfield (1831-1901) was born in Utica, New York and graduated
from Union College at Schenectady.
He was the eastern superintendent of the American Express Company in New York
when the Civil War broke out. A
Colonel in the 12th Regiment of the New York State Militia, he was promoted to Brigadier
General and given
command of a brigade of the 5th Corps of the Army of the Potomac.
During the Peninsular Campaign
Butterfield distinguished himself when,
during the Battle of Gaines Mill and
despite an injury,
he seized the colors
of the 83rd Pennsylvania and rallied the
regiment at a critical time in the
battle.
He was awarded the Medal of
Honor for that act of heroism.
As the story goes, General
Butterfield was not pleased with the call for Extinguish Lights, feeling that the call was too formal to signal the days end,
and
with the help of the brigade bugler, Oliver Willcox Norton (1839-1920), wrote Taps to honor his men while in
camp at Harrison?s Landing, Virginia,
following the Seven Days battle. These battles took place during the Peninsular
Campaign of 1862. The new call, sounded that night in July, 1862, soon
spread to other units of the Union Army and
was reportedly also used by the Confederates. Taps was made an official bugle call after the war.
Flag Folds
These meanings, not part of the U.S. Flag Code,
have been ascribed to the 13 folds of American flags at burial services for some veterans:
1. Symbol of life.
2. Symbol of our belief in the eternal life.
3. In honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks who
gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain a peace throughout the world.
4. Represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting
in God, it is to him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war for his guidance.
5. A tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur,
"Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong."
6. Represents where our hearts lie. It is with our hearts that we
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.
7. A tribute to our armed forces.
8. A tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow
of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on Mother's Day.
9. A tribute to womanhood.
10. A tribute to father.
11. In the eyes of Hebrew citizens, represents the lower portion
of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
12. In the eyes of Christian citizens, represents an emblem of eternity
and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy Ghost.
13. When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost,
reminding us of our national motto, "In God We Trust."
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