Taps began as a revision to the signal for Extinguish Lights (Lights Out) at the end of the day. Up until the Civil
War, the infantry call for Extinguish Lights was the one set down in Silas Casey's (1801-1882) Tactics, which had
been borrowed from the French. The music for Taps was adapted by Union General Daniel Butterfield for his
brigade (Third Brigade, First Division, Fifth Army Corps, Army of the Potomac) in July, 1862.
Daniel Adams Butterfield (1831-1901) was born in Utica, New York and graduated from Union College at Schenectady.
He was the eastern superintendent of the American Express Company in New York when the Civil War broke out. A
Colonel in the 12th Regiment of the New York State Militia, he was promoted to Brigadier General and given
command of a brigade of the 5th Corps of the Army of the Potomac.

During the Peninsular Campaign
Butterfield distinguished himself when,
during the Battle of Gaines Mill and
despite an injury, he seized the colors
of the 83rd Pennsylvania and rallied the
regiment at a critical time in the
battle. He was awarded the Medal of
Honor for that act of heroism.

As the story goes, General Butterfield was not pleased with the call for Extinguish Lights, feeling that the call was too formal to signal the days end, and
with the help of the brigade bugler, Oliver Willcox Norton (1839-1920), wrote Taps to honor his men while in camp at Harrison?s Landing, Virginia,
following the Seven Days battle. These battles took place during the Peninsular Campaign of 1862. The new call, sounded that night in July, 1862, soon
spread to other units of the Union Army and was reportedly also used by the Confederates. Taps was made an official bugle call after the war.