The National tribune., 1898-11-17
ORIGIN OF CHIPS"
Con. Butterfield Composed 1t While On tho
Peninsula.
Chicago, III, Aug. s. 1893.

Chicago, H., Aug. s, 1898.
Editor Century Magazine, New Yc.k
Dear Sir: / was much interested in
reading the article by Mr. Gustav Kobbe
on trumpet and bugie calls, in the August
Century. Mr.. Kobbe saws that he has
now used for taps, or the GO to Sleep,
as it is generally called by the soldiers
As | am able to give the origin of this call
| think the following statement may be of
interest to Mr.. Kobbe and your readers:
During the early part of the civil war
was bugler at the Headquarters of Butter
fields Brigade, Morell's Division, Fitz-
John Porter's Corps, Army of the Potomac
Up to July, 1862, the infantry call for taps
was that set down in Casey's Tactics,
which Mr.. Kobbe says was borrowed from
the French. Onef day, soon after the
seven days battles oriI the Peninsula
when the Army ofttile Potomac was lying
in camp at Hamison's Landing, Gen.
Daniel Butterfield, ihenIcommanding our
brigade, sent for me, and showing me some
notes on staff Written in pencil on the
back OF an envelope, asked me to sound
them on my bugle. Iidid this several
times, playing the music as written. He
changed it somewhat, 8engthening some
notes and shortening others, but retain
ing the melody as he first gave it To me.
After getting it to his satisfaction, he di-
rected me to sound that call for taps
tbc1Cdlttt III KidCt Oh the regulation call.
The music was beautiful on that still
Summer night, and was heard far beyond
the limits OF our brigade. The next day ]
was visited by several bpglers from neigh
boring brigades, asking, for copies of the
music, which gladly furnished. / think
no General Order was issued from Army
Headquarters authorizing the substitu-
ton Of this for the regulation call, but as
each brigade commander exercised his
own discretion in such minor matters, the
call was gradually taken up all through
the Army Of the Potomac. | have been
told that it was carried TO the Western
armies by the Eleventh and Twelfth Corps
when they went to Chattanooga in the
Fall Of 1868, and rapidly made its way
through those armies. Gid not presume
TO question Gen. Butterfield at the time,
but from the manner in which the call
was given to me, ! have no doubt he com
posed it in his tent ut Earrison's Landing.
Yours very truly, O. w. Norton
Cragside, Cold Spring, NY. fOn the Hudson),
1T Aug. 81, 1898
Editor Century: | recall in dim memory
the substantial tuth of the statement
made by Norton OF the SOD Pa. about
bugle calls His letter gives the impress
sion that personally wrote the notes for
the call. The facts are at that time
could well sound calls on the bugle as
necessary part OF military knowledge
ana instruction Tor an officer commanding
IA regiment or brigade. | had acquired
this as regimental commander | had
also composed n call for my brigade to
precede any calls, indicating that such
were calls or orders for my brigade alone.
rms was OF very great use and effect on
the march and in battle. 1t enabled me
TO cause my whole command at times in
march covering over mile on the road 60
all halt instantly and lie down, and TO all
arise and start at the same moment; to
forward in line OF battle simultaneously
in action and charge, etc. II saved fla
tigue. The men rather liked their call i,
but began to sing my name 10 it. 1t was
three notes and catch. | cannot write a
note OF music, but have gotten my wife to
write it from my whistling it to her, and
incIoSe il. The men would sing
Dan, Dan, Dan ButterfieIdn
to the notes when call came. Later. in
battle, or in some trying circumstances
for an advance in difficulties, they some
times sang,
Damn, Damn, Damn Butterfield."