[8][9] It was arranged in its present form by the Union Army Brigadier General Daniel Butterfield, a Medal of Honor recipient.

Butterfield's bugler, Oliver Wilcox Norton,[10][2] of East Springfield, Pennsylvania,[11] was the first to sound the new call.

[12] Captain John C. Tidball, West Point Class of 1848, started the custom of playing "Taps" at military funerals.

The idea was taken up by others, until in a short time it was adopted by the entire army and is now looked upon as the most appropriate and touching part of a military funeral."

As Tidball proudly proclaimed, "Battery A has the honor of having introduced this custom into the service, and it is worthy of historical note.

[2] Taps is sounded every evening at 23:00 (11:00pm) at the Tomb of the Unknowns, as well as during the 2,500 military wreath ceremonies conducted there every year.

When Taps is played, it is customary to salute, if in uniform, or place your hand over your heart if not — it is a moment to reflect and honor those who gave their lives while serving.

[2] Taps is sounded during each of the military wreath ceremonies conducted at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier every year, including the ones held on Memorial Day.

[2] The melody of "Taps" is composed entirely from the written notes of the C major triad (i.e., C, E, and G, with the G used in the lower and higher octaves).

Horace Lorenzo Trim is often credited for a set of words intended to accompany the music:[14] Day is done, gone the sun, From the lake, from the hills, from the sky; All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.

While the light fades from sight, And the stars gleaming rays softly send, To thy hands we our souls, Lord, commend.

The most widely circulated one states that a Union Army infantry officer, whose name often is given as Captain Robert Ellicombe, first ordered "Taps" performed at the funeral of his son, a Confederate soldier killed during the Peninsula Campaign.

[19] That Daniel Butterfield composed "Taps" has been sworn to by numerous reputable witnesses including his bugler Norton,[20] who first performed the tune.

Another, perhaps more historically verifiable, account of "Taps" first being used in the context of a military funeral involves John C. Tidball, a Union artillery captain who during a break in fighting ordered the tune sounded for a deceased soldier in lieu of the more traditional—and much less discreet—three volley tribute.

Until then, while the tune had meant that the soldiers' day of work was finished, it had little to none of the connotation or overtone of death, with which it so often is associated today.

Another lesser-known legend is that of Lieutenant William Waid paying saloon-keepers to shut off the taps to the kegs when the song was played in a neighboring army camp.

At Norwich University, the ceremony is held on the Upper Parade Ground, where the Corps of Cadets forms up silently at 2145 (9:45 p.m.) for tattoo, and then stands in silence until 2200 (10:00 p.m.) when "Echo Taps" is sounded, at which time unit commanders tacitly will give the commands of attention and present arms.

Silver Taps is the student body's final tribute paid to an Aggie who, at the time of their death, was enrolled in undergraduate or graduate studies.

The first Silver Taps was held in 1898 and honored Lawrence Sullivan Ross, the former governor of Texas and president of A&M College.

Six buglers then play a special rendition of Silver Taps by Colonel Richard Dunn (Aggie Band Director, 1924–1946).

This ceremony is held in the Hagerman Barracks to remember all the alumni who had died of normal causes or were killed in action that year.

Army Regulation 600–25, Salutes, Honors, and Visits of Courtesy, dated September 2004, Glossary, Section two states the following: "Taps The traditional 'lights out' musical composition played at military funerals and memorials.