Historical and Educational

Quote "This took place at a place called Berkely Plantation on the James River just outside of Hopewell. This is down the river from Richmond. There is a monument there and a small grass landingstrip. I have flown a plane into there and taxied right up to the monument. Legend has it that it became a signal from troops on one side of the James, to troops on the other side of the James, that ALL WAS WELL at night."

"Day is done.

gone the sun,

from the lake,

from the hill,

from the sky.

All is well.

Safely rest,

God is nigh.

Thanks and praise,

for our days,

neath the sun,

neath the stars,

neath the sky.

As we go this we know.

God is nigh."

Sing with reverence.

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.

I have heard many versions about taps over the past number of years, No matter which version it was - it was done for a good cause - The way I heard the story of Taps is as follows - The important part is, that it was done for Patriotism of a good cause and today it is still played! 'Proud to be an American Veteran'

Taps was devised during the Civil War. In 1862, the Union Army of the Potomac, under Major General George McClellan, was transported to the Virginia Peninsula to launch a campaign against the Confederate capital at Richmond. The Army met stiff resistance at the outskirts of Richmond. After a series of battles, McClellan, a cautious general by nature, and misinformed as to the strength of the Confederate army confronting him, elected to "change bases" - a carefully worded synonym for retreat - to a site to the south, on the bank of the James River.

During this retreat, the Army of the Potomac was forced to stand and fight the pursuing Confederate army at Malvern Hill. The Confederate army, rather unwisely, charged the Union line and was defeated. The battle of Malvern Hill was fought on June 28 - July 1, 1862.

On July 2 (134 years ago today), in a miserable rain, the Army of the Potomac completed its depressing and embarrassing retreat to Harrison's Landing on the James River. The retreat was a grim disillusionment for the North, which had expected a short war. For the Army of the Potomac, it was its darkest and saddest hour.

Encamped at Harrison's Landing that summer was Brigadier General Daniel Butterfield. He was the commander of the 3rd brigade of the 1st division of the Army of the Potomac's 5th corps. A fairly undistinguished officer otherwise, General Butterfield had an ear for music. Previously, he had observed that his brigade's bugle call caused confusion in camp, because it could not be distinguished from that of other brigades. So he devised a unique bugle call for the 3rd brigade.

Now, in camp along the James, he noted that the regulation evening bugle call for lights out was neither musical nor inspirational, nor tranquilizing. He devised a alternative tune for his bugler, which, after a couple of attempts, became Taps. The tune became popular, and soon the entire Army of the Potomac was using the call in place of the regulation call for lights out.

Eventually, Taps was adopted by all Union armies, and became official army regulation. Taps remains regulation to this day.

The story of Taps is particularly appropriate for July 2, given that today is the anniversary of the Army of the Potomac's long retreat to the Harrison's Landing camp.

(If there is something wrong with the story, or it is incorrect in any way, please e-mail and let me know. I would appreciate it very much. I will change it accordingly. The story was only related to show the importance of history and educational benefits that it has for our younger generation. Thanks!

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