I often use these editions of my Congressional Report to relate messages about legislation in Congress and the work of the federal government. However, on my eighteenth Memorial Day as Representative of the Fifth Congressional District of Ohio, I felt it was important to look at an honored military tradition that touches the heart of every American.
The year is 1862, the month is July, and Union General Daniel A. Butterfield has just lost 600 men in seven days of battles in Virginia. Wounded himself, General Butterfield was looking for a more appropriate way to honor his soldiers than the French borrowed, end of the day bugle tune called “Extinguished Lights” which had been Army regulation since the early 1800’s.
Summoning the unit bugler, Private Oliver W. Norton, to his tent, General Butterfield whistled a new tune to Private Norton and requested that he play the notes for him. After several revisions and numerous note changes written on the back of an envelope, the sound was complete. Showing his satisfaction, General Butterfield ordered that the new tune be substituted in his brigade that evening and at the end of each day thereafter.
Hearing the distinct sound from the night before, buglers from the surrounding brigades visited General Butterfield’s camp to inquire about its meaning. Upon listening to it again, the visiting buglers copied the melodious notes and returned to their own camps. It is said that when commanders from the surrounding units heard the eloquent call, orders were given for its use throughout the Army of the Potomac.
While composing this call and ordering its use, General Butterfield could not have foreseen that his melody, both eloquent and haunting, would become one of our military’s most recognizable and emotional military bugle calls.
This year, we come upon yet another Memorial Day with our sons and daughters proudly serving around the world. And once again they stand ready at this time of war. While we enjoy this holiday with friends and family, we should pause for a moment to remember those who died so that we may enjoy our freedom. No stone can bear the history of a man’s conduct, yet by our honor we can remember their sacrifice.
