--- title: "The history behind the 24 notes in ‘Taps’" description: "It's a song that’s well known to military and civilians alike. Most commonly played at military funeral services, “full taps,” or a “full service” famously contains the tune. It’s 24 notes of hauntingly beautiful bugle sounds. It’s distinctive and instantly…" date: "2022-06-16" modified: "2022-06-16" authors: - name: "Bethaney Phillips" job_title: "Contributor, Veteran Spouse" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/bethaneyphillips/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-history/the-history-behind-the-24-notes-in-taps/" categories: - "History" - "Join the Military" - "Military Culture" --- # The history behind the 24 notes in ‘Taps’ ![]() *U.S Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. R. J. Lannom Jr.* It's a song that’s well known to military and civilians alike. Most commonly played at military funeral services, “full taps,” or a “full service” famously contains the tune. It’s 24 notes of hauntingly beautiful bugle sounds. It’s distinctive and instantly recognizable today, but that wasn’t always the case. Military Taps got its start back in the American Civil War when it was adapted both as a piece of music and in its purpose: to be played for military funerals. In a previous form, known as Tattoo, the song meant it was time for bed. Officially it was the “lights out” call. Written in France in 1809, it was famously Napoleon’s favorite bugle call. (Which could have been another reason it was nixed.) However, U.S. General Daniel Butterfield was unhappy with the tune. While stationed at Harrison’s Landing, Virginia, he notably told others that he thought the bugle call should be more soothing, more melancholy. If it meant bedtime, the last thing the song should be was upbeat, he said. https://www.youtube.com/embed/XzyRVic9h1Y Soon after, on July of 1862, Butterfield reworked the song with his brigade bugler, Private Oliver Wilcox Norton. Norton then played it for other soldiers, and the song quickly caught on, even making its way to the Confederates. After hearing it, Captain John Tidball then decided to use it for an upcoming funeral, honoring a Union cannoneer who was lost in the war. Traditionally, three rifles were shot over a soldier’s grave. However, because the war was still ongoing, Tidball was worried the shots would be confused with enemy fire by the Confederates and decided against it. Instead, the bugle call would be used when laying the soldier to rest. The practice caught on, and soon became common for military burials, especially when lost at war. https://www.youtube.com/embed/rbkQk\_1OV9Y The most interesting thing about the song, however, is its unusual naming process. Butterfield officially named his new tune, Extinguish Lights, which isn’t exactly catchy. It’s not hard to wonder why soldiers looked for alternatives when mentioning the nighttime tune. The word Taps, however, is most likely a nickname or a shortened version of “drum taps.” While Tattoo was still in use, it was followed by three drum taps, which were often called simply, “the taps.” One military historian and bugle expert stated that the song was listed as Extinguish Lights in official military manuals until the early 1890s, and was listed as part of military funerals. ## Author Bethaney Phillips has contributed to We Are the Mighty and MilSpouseFest since 2015, covering history and military family topics. She also served as the Interim Content and Digital Manager at MilSpouseFest in 2021. Now a veteran spouse, she spent six years in an active duty family and served as an SFRG leader. With a bachelor’s degree in English and Creative Writing, she has more than 15 years of experience in digital and print writing, focusing on researched pieces and human interest stories. She is also a regular contributor to Business Insider, covering family and parenting topics. Her work has been included on Business Insider, Yahoo, Military.com, and Manhattan Magazine. While continuing to freelance, she works as the founding editor of the Clay County Regional, a print and digital newspaper delivered to more than 5,500 recipients. She also serves as the Digital Director/News Director for Taylor Communications out of north-central Kansas. Bethaney spends her free time chasing her two elementary-aged boys, raising chickens, and reading fiction. ### Author social links [Twitter]() [WWW]()