Touching, true story of "The Last Post"

If any of you have ever been to a military funeral
in which The Last Post was played,

this brings out a new meaning of it

.

Here is something everyone should know.

Until I read this, I didn't know but I checked it out

and it's true....

.

We have all heard the haunting song,
'The Last Post' It's the song that gives us the
lump in our throats and
usually tears in our eyes
.

But, do you know the story behind the song?
If not, I think you will be interested to find out
about its humble beginnings......

.

Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the
American Civil War, when Union Army
Captain Robert Ellicombe

was with his men near

.

Harrison's Landing in Virginia. The Confederate
Army was on the other side of the
narrow strip of land.

.

During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard
the moans of a soldier, who lay severely
wounded on the field. Not knowing if it
was a Union or Confederate soldier,
the Captain decided to risk his life and
bring the stricken man back for
medical attention. Crawling on his
stomach through the gunfire, the Captain
reached the stricken soldier and began
pulling him toward his encampment

.

When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier,

but the soldier was dead

.

The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling

his father, the boy enlisted in

the Confederate Army

.

The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son
a full military burial, despite his enemy status.

His request was only partially granted

.

The Captain had asked if he could have a group of
Army band members play a funeral dirge
for his son at the funeral.

.

The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate

.

But, out of respect for the father, they did say
they could give him only one musician

.

The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler
to play a series of musical notes he had found
on a piece of paper in the pocket of
the dead youth's uniform

.

This wish was granted

.

The haunting melody, we now know as 'The Last Post' used at military funerals was born

.

The words are:-

.

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 too have felt the chills while listening to
'The Last Post' but I have never seen all the words
to the song until now. I didn't even know there
was more than one verse. I also never knew
the story behind the song and I didn't know
if you had either, so I thought
I'd pass it along

.

I now have an even deeper respect for the song

than I did before

.

Remember Those Lost and Harmed While Serving

Their Country
.

Also Remember Those Who Have Served
And Returned; and for those presently
serving in the Armed Forces
.

Please send this on after a short prayer
.

Make this a Prayer wheel for our soldiers....

please don't break it
.

I didn't!

Sent by Maj Gen M S Sandhu , VSM (Retd)