History

History of Taps

Of all the military bugle calls, none is so easily recognized or more apt to render emotion than Taps. Up until the Civil War, the traditional call at day's end was a tune borrowed from the French, called "Lights Out". In July of 1862, in the aftermath of the bloody Seven Days Battle, hard on the loss of 600 men and wounded himself, Union General Daniel Adams Butterfield called the brigade bugler to his tent. He thought 'Lights Out' was too formal and wished to honor his men. Oliver Wilcox Norton, the bugler, tells the story, "...showing me some notes on a staff written in pencil on the back of an envelope, (he) 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 directed 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. The call was gradually taken up through the Army of the Potomac."

This more emotive and powerful Taps was soon adopted throughout the military. In 1874, it was officially recognized by the U.S. Army. It became standard at military funeral ceremonies in 1891. There is something singularly beautiful and appropriate in the music of this wonderful call. Its strains are melancholy, yet full of rest and peace. Its echoes linger in the heart long after its tones have ceased to vibrate in the air. - From an article by Master Sergeant Jari A. Villanueva, USAF

For additional information on the history of Taps, see http://www.tapsbugler.com/24NotesExcerpt/Page1.html
[Top]

History of the Gun Salute

The use of the gun salutes for military occasions is traced to early warriors who demonstrated their peaceful intentions by placing their weapons in a position which rendered them ineffective. Apparently this custom was universal, with the specific act varying with time and place, depending on the weapons being used. A North African tribe, for example, trailed the points of their spears on the ground to indicate that they did not mean to be hostile.

In effect, the person who performed the salute placed himself in the power of the person he was saluting. Eventually, this practice became honorary and ceremonial as well as practical. Swords were pointed downward, headdresses were removed, sails were lowered.

The tradition of rendering a salute by cannon originated in the 14th century as firearms and cannons came into use. Since these early devices contained only one projectile, discharging them once rendered them ineffective. Originally, warships fired seven-gun salutes - the number seven probably selected because of its astrological and Biblical significance. Seven planets had been identified and the phases of the moon changed every seven days. The Bible states that God rested on the seventh day after creation, that every seventh year was a sabbatical year (year of rest) and that the seven times seventh year ushered in the Jubilee year.

Land batteries, having a greater supply of gunpowder, were able to fire three guns for every shot fired afloat, hence the salute by shore batteries was 21 guns. Early gunpowder, composed mainly of sodium nitrate, spoiled easily at sea, but could be kept cooler and drier in land magazines. The multiple of three probably was chosen because of the mystical significance of the number three in many ancient civilizations. When potassium nitrate improved the quality of gunpowder, ships at sea adopted the salute of 21 guns.

The 21-gun salute became the highest honor a nation rendered.

Varying customs among the maritime powers led to confusion in saluting and return of salutes. Britain, in the 18th and 19th centuries, in her role as the most powerful nation on the seas, compelled weaker nations to salute first, and, for a time, monarchies received more guns than republics. Eventually by agreement, the International Salute was established at 21 guns, although the United States did not agree on this procedure until August, 1875.

The gun salute system of the United States has changed considerably over the years. In 1810, the 'National Salute' was defined by the War Department as equal to the number of states in the Union - at that time, 17. This salute was fired by all U.S. military installations at 1 p.m. (later at noon) on Independence Day. The president also received a salute equal to the number of states whenever he visited a military installation.

In 1841, the 'Presidential Salute' was formally established at 21 guns. In 1890, regulations designated the 'National Salute' as 21 guns and re-designated the traditional Independence Day salute equal to the number of states the 'Salute to the Union.' Fifty guns are also fired on all military installations equipped to do so at the close of the day of the funeral for a president, ex-president, or president-elect.

Since the Air Force does not have saluting cannons, it uses 'honor flights' consisting of the appropriate number of men, instead of guns. The Air Force equivalent of a 21-gun salute, for example, would be a formation of 21 men. Today the 'National Salute' of 21 guns is fired in honor of a national flag, the sovereign or chief of state of a foreign nation, a member of a reigning family, and the president, ex-president and president-elect of the United States. It is also fired at noon of the day of the funeral of a president, ex-president or president-elect.

Gun salutes are also rendered to other military and civilian leaders of this and other nations. The number of guns is based on their protocol rank. These salutes are always in odd numbers.
[Top]