This page is dedicated to our fallen Comrades.

The History of TAPS

General Butterfield was not pleased with Extinguish Lights used by the Union Army. He thought the call was too formal to signal the days end, and with assistance from the brigade bugler, Oliver Willcox Norton (1839-1920), they wrote Taps to honor his men. This was done while in camp at Harrison's Landing, Virginia, following the Seven Days battle. This was during the Peninsular Campaign of 1862. The first call, sounded that night in July, 1862. Other units of the Union Army later used it and it may have been used by the Confederate Army. Taps was made an official bugle call after the war.                           

    General Butterfield

The words for the music are below:

Day is done. Gone 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