from the Army of the Potomac andsent under command of Gen. Hooker to reinforce theUnion Army at Chattanooga, Tenn. Through its use inthese corps it became known in the western armies andwas adopted by them. From that time, it became andremains to this day the official call for "Taps." Itis printed in the present Tactics and is usedthroughout the U.S. Army, the National Guard, and allorganizations of veteran soldiers. Gen. Butterfield, in composing this call and directingthat it be used for "Taps" in his brigade, could nothave foreseen its popularity and the use for anotherpurpose into which it would grow. Today, whenever aman is buried with military honors anywhere in theUnited States, the ceremony is concluded by firingthree volleys of musketry over the grave, and soundingwith the trumpet or bugle "Put out the lights. Go tosleep"...There is something singularly beautiful andappropriate in the music of this wonderful call. Itsstrains are melancholy, yet full of rest and peace.Its echoes linger in the heart long after its toneshave ceased to vibrate in the air." ...
