Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-10-11
OUR MILITARY BUDGET,
AN HOUR AT TIE .ssy neSAL CAMP OF rssrRrc-

AN HOUR AT TIE Amy neHL CAMP OF ISsrRuc-
TIoN.
few DAYS ego we visited the signal camp Of
instruction located n, theivicinity Of Georgetown
Heights, and witnessed series Of experiments
made by direction of Major Meyer, the signal
ofhcer Of the army, who eommands the new corps
recently sttsch bed TO the Army OF the Petemac.
The experiments were made between two ele-
waited points, about Ten miles apart and satisfac-
torily demonstrated the simplicity and utility Of
this branch Of the service to an army in the field
Communications of all kinds, military and local
In signincaRce, were made with ease and rap
idify. The apparatus used weighs but few
pounds, and IL therefore portable and well adapt
60 20 an army moving on the field. For day ser
vice II consists Of light pole CT staff about If
teen feet In length, and white or black flag four
feet square. For night service a torch or other
suitable light Is used
The movements of the flag by day. and the
light by night, indicate the signal to be commu.
nicated. The system was designed few years
ago oy Major Meyer, Of the army, and in sim.
piicity recommended II to the favorable consider.
alton Of the War Department and to Congress
Inc placing Of the corps In the field is, however
que 70 Gen Mcclellan, and to the Assistant Sec.
ie1fy OF WG, Col. Scott, who were fully i'm
pressed ~ Major Meyer with the importance of
But "a these signals are visual in their char.
scef. and only available during certain condi.
nors Of the atmosphere, or when the flag or light
can be SEEM therefore It seems to be requisite that
the electric telegraph should also be pressed in
tne Held, for the purpose Of transmitting impor-
amt orders and Information during active oper.
atoms.
-. FOR example: at the battle Of Bull Run Ii would
nave rendered the most efficient service convey
ing orders to bring forward the reserve during the
panic, IL necessary, or directing the movements
CT the army against certain points on the right
lei, or center of the enemy. Ii is believed that
The rebels availed themselves or the risunI and
eise''te telegraph during the battle Of Bull Run,
and also during the attack made by our troops on
tneir advance few days previous to that battle;
while the parties In charge Of the telegraph on
our side did not place ID in the field leaving the
southern termini of the telegraph miles this
Hde OF the field cf battle, requiring a horse
sxprsss to convey Gen. McDowell's dispatches
rom the field to Fairfax station This should not
occur again In the army of a country where tele-
graphs are so fully used and patronized BIZ the
people.
= Major Meyer, we hear. is well skilled In the
science and operation Of the electric telegraph,
ana fully competent TO place il In the field as
PART OF bis signal apparatus; therefore General
Mcclellan has already attached to his staff an Of
fcsr Of the regular service able to perform that
duty. -''' - -
In regard to the apparatus, light carriages or
reels can be readily made 20 carry and Law the field
telegraph, which consists of Zig ht insulated wire
and nscessary instruments to operate the same
The signals to be used can be indicated by
sound, mode which Is now open to the pub
lie, and similar In character to the nre alarm
telegraph used In our principal cities. The car
Ilages or reels can also ne made TO reel M
the Telegraph wire from the ground, and relay
IL at other places when the army moves. With
simple portable apparatus of this kind in the hands
OF Major Meyer and his signal corps, our COM
handing General, In the camp or field, will be
able to hold direct and instantaneous communi-
cation with all divisions Of his army
We noticed some time ago that the electric tel
egraph had been recently introduced In the French
service, a. necessity, and placed In the hands of
the corps OF Lancers, who had been fully instruct
ed In lis oPeration-its practicablity and useful
ness having been previously demonstrated to tie
satisfaction Of the Emperor by the French tele-
graph engineers during the late campaign
In conclusion, We must not omit calling the at
enton Of the proper authorities TO the necessity
OF providing our troops with suitable night sig
nal, 90 as to render Impossible repetition of the
sad mistakes our troops have heretofore made, by
nfing at each other while on night march.
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