Volume 15 , Issue 21

Origins of Taps

In The National Tribune, Washington, D.C., Thursday, November 17 1898., page 3, there was a feature entitled, "Origins of Taps." Gen. Butterfield composed it while on the Peninusla. The following letter was dated, Chicago, Ill., Aug. 8, 1898, and sent to the Editor of Century Magazine, New York.

Dear Sir: I was much interested in reading the article by Mr. Gustav Kobbe on Trumpet and bugle calls, in the August Century. Mr. Kobbe says that he has been unable to trace the origin of the call now used for taps, or the "Go to Sleep," as it is generally called by the soldiers. As I am able to give the origin of this call I think the following statement may be of interest to Mr. Kobbe and your readers:

During the early part of the civil war I was bugler at the Headquarters of Butterfield's Brigade, Mozell's Division, Fitz-John Porter's Corps, Army of the Potomac. Up to July, 1862, the infantry call for taps was that set down in Casey's Tactics, which Mr. Kobbe says was borrowed from the French. One day, soon after the seven days' battles on the Peninsula, when the Army of the Potomac was lying in camp at Harrison's Landing, Gen. Daniel Butterfield, then commanding our brigade, sent for me, and showing me some notes on a staff written in pencil on the back of an envelope, asked me to sound them on my bugle. I did this several times, playing the music as written. He changed it somewhat, lengthening some notes and shortening others, but retaining the melody as he first gave it to me. After getting it to his satisfaction, he diverted me to sound that call for taps thereafter in place of the regulation call.

"The music was beautiful on that still Summer night, and was heard far beyond the limits of our brigade. The next day I was visited by several buglers from neighboring brigades, asking for copies of the music, which I gladly furnished. I think no General Order was issued from Army Headquarters authorizing the substitution of this for the regulation call, but as each brigade commander exercised his own discretion in such minor matters, the call was gradually taken up all through the Army of the Potomac. I have been told that it was carried to the Western armies by the Eleventh and Twelfth Corps when they went to Chattanooga in the Fall of 1863, and readily made its way through those armies. I did not presume to question Gen. Butterfield at the time, but from the manner in which the call was given to me, I have no doubt he composed it in his tent at Harrison's Landing. Yours very truly, O. W. Norton."

Letter From Daniel Butterfield To Editor

This letter was dated, Cragside, Cold Spring, N.Y., (On the Hudson), Aug. 31, 1898, and was written by Daniel Butterfield to the editor.

"Editor Century: I recall in dim memory the substantial truth of the statement made by Norton of the 83d Pa. about bugle calls. His letter gives the impression that I personally wrote the notes for the call. The facts are at that time I could well sound calls on the bugle as a necessary part of military knowledge and instruction for an officer commanding a regiment or brigade. I had acquired this as a regimental commander. I had also composed a call for my brigade to precede any calls, indicating that such were calls for orders for my brigade alone. This was of very great use and effect on the march and in battle. It enabled me to cause my whole command at times in march covering over a mile on the road to all halt instantly and lie down, and to all arise and start at the same moment; to forward in line of battle simultaneously in action and charge, etc. It saved fatigue. The men rather liked their call, but began to sing my name to it. It was three notes and a catch. I cannot write a note of music, but have gotten my wife to write it from my whistling it to her, and enclose it. The men would sing: "Dan, Dan, Dan Butterfield," to the notes when a call came. Later, in battle, or in some trying circumstances for an advance in difficulties, they sometimes sang, "Damn, Damn, Damn Butterfield."

The call of taps did not seem to be as smooth, melodious and musical as it should be, and I called in someone who could write music, and practiced a change in the call of taps, until I got it to suit my ear, and then, as Norton writes, got it to my taste without being able to write music or knowing the technical name of any note, but simply by ear arranged it as Norton describes.

"I did not recall him in connection with it, but his story is substantially correct.

I enclose you a couple of military records which I think have some allusions to the bugle calls and uses. I likewise established a call for my command in the Twentieth Corps, Army of the Cumberland. Very Truly yours, Daniel Butterfield."

In conclusion of Butterfield's letter to the editor, Butterfield mentions, "Speaking of use of bugle calls, I recall the night of the server fight of the Second Bull Run, or Manassas, where I commanded the division of two brigades, one being absent, being ordered to retreat to Centerville. All during the night my call was sounded as we marched along deliberately and slowly after the hard fight of the day.

"As these notes rang out clear and distinct in the dark, still night, sounded by myself, they would be answered by the regiments, and the whole command was moved without the loss of a straggler. It was a thrilling incident of war. Gens. Warren and Griffin and Sykes spoke to me of it with much feeling, as a marvelous effect upon an army corps moving at night, causing it to move so steadily and so correctly in the dark. The other troops of the corps knew the call well and followed it.

"I have no doubt that many of the old soldiers of my command in the Fifth Corps, Regulars and volunteers, recall it. Butterfield."   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

---