TAPS: Honor the fallen

T.A.P.S. - Tragedy Assistance Program and TAPS-The Atlantic Paranormal Society. One explanation is that Taps is derived from the Dutch word Tap-toe or Tattoo. The call of Tattoo was used in order to assemble soldiers for the last roll call of the day.

The tune is a variation of an earlier bugle call known as the "Scott Tattoo", which was used in the U.S. from 1835 until 1860. It was arranged in its present form by the Union Army Brigadier General Daniel Butterfield, a Medal of Honor recipient.

"TAPS" originally began as a signal to extinguish lights. Up until the Civil War, the infantry call for “Extinguish Lights” was the one set down in the Infantry manuals which had been borrowed from the French. The music for "TAPS" was changed by Major General Daniel Adams Butterfield for his brigade in July, 1862.

"TAPS" was first played at Harrison's Landing, Virginia in July 1862. Within 9 months, it was adopted by both the Union and the Confederate forces. In 1891 "TAPS" became a standard component of US military funerals.