Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-10-14
E. COwlos & Co., Publishers.
From our Regular Correspondent
The Nliohignn Engineera---The DrummOnd
LiGhI---ftH History and EeHturoa---rele-

LiGh!---lts History and EeHturea---rele-
CHICAGO, Oct. 10, 1861.
EDlToRs LRADER: A corps of engineers
and scientif. men passed through Chicago
this week, en- route to Missouri, that is de-
signed to play a conspicuous part in the
Western Department
r. P. HoWland, Professor Of Natural Scien-
oes, directed Gen. Fremonfs attention to the
importance Of organizingA scientific corps in
connection with the army of the West for
engineering and scientific purposes. The re-
suit was that Prot. Rowland was commission
ed to organise such company, which he has
done, making Battle Greek, Mich, his head
quarters. His recruits are worthy Professors,
Students, Engineers, Telegraphers and prac
tical Mechanics, and are as fine body of men
morally, intellectually and physically as has
been mustered in during this war.
One Of the novel features of this company
is the Drummond Light, in connection with
the Morse telegraph alphabet for army sig
mailing.
More than fifty years ago, the distinguished
chemist, DR.. Robert Hare, of Philadelphia,
discovered that oxygen and hydrogen gases
when burned together in certain proportions,
produced greater heat than any other sub
stance. From this he discovered that lime,
when acted upon by the fame Of these gases,
emitted most brilliant light, Since then,
apparatus has been perfected by which the
gases, in toe proportion of two parts hydro
gen to one part oxygen, are conveyed from
separate reservoirs to common outlet, where
they are ignited, and The flame impinges up
on purified lime, or chalk. This is the Cal
oiumn light used at Fortress Monroe, and
sometimes called the 4" Drunmond7 light in
honor of an English lieutenant OF that name
who perfected and applied it to practical uses.
As an illuminating agent it has no equal
excepting the Electric Highland is destined
to play an important part in the channels of
peaceful pursuits, and 10 be valuable auxil-
iary in war.
When the Southern States rebelled, it be-
came necessary to change the system of sig
nails in both army and navy, also to have re-
course to "cypher" dispatches in telegraphic
communications. With all these precautions
the enemy are kept informed of many i'm
portant movements. One Of the great diff
culties experienced has been the cutting Of
telegraph poles and destruction of lines-a
matter easy 70 accomplish on the one hand,
and dificnlt to prevent on the other. Since
the breaking out Of the war, inventors have
been stimulated to devise not oaly more de-
sructive engines Of death, but also safe
methods Of communicating intelligence at a
distance. Among other ingenious devices
was one for the application Of the calcium
! light to the telegraph alphabet By Ne. H. P.
futile, astronomers ol The Howard Observable
~, and is the one adopted BY Prof. Rowland
| for operations in Gen. Fremonts army. II
consists OF properly shaped box containing
the light, provided with an aperture in front
1 With a slide Orout-of which is worked by a
! lever.
In telegraphie characters there are but two
/ combinations OF length, called dots and dashes,
formed on the paper Of the receiving instru-
ment, or read by the sound. Thus, the first
| five letters of the alphabet would be repre-
sented by the signs, A - B -. O.. D -.
E. 81
It will readily be seen that these characters
could be represented by long and short lashe:
of light, properly spaced, and that it could be
read with facility by any telegraph operator.
By the use of the calcium light intelligence
can be transmitted thirty or forty miles al
the rate of fifteen to twenty-five words pei
minute, according to the dexterity Of the
manipulating and receiving clerks. This sys
TEN, Of course, is designed for night signal.
ing, and with the use Of the cypher, which
viii render the dispatch unintelligible to thg
enemy, this invention must soon become or
Indispensable auxiliary TO the army. It will
probably, in time creep through the folds o
red tape and be adapted to marine service.
Prof Howlands company will devote {
portion of their time to engineering and sci
entifc pursuits. He also uses the magnetic
telegraph apparatus and the colored lights
A portable lattice-work frame is used to ele
yate the signal apparatus to a hight Of on
hundred feet if necessary, and also to elevst
a camera for day use, by which a representa-
ton Of the surrounding country for man.
miles can be photographed OF thrown upol
canvas and sketehed by artists. Taken alto
gether, this is one Of the most thoroughly
equipped scIenunc corps ever mustered Int
, service on the western continent. The pa
OF priVates is nineteen dollars per month.
When Napoleon invaded Egypt he was aC
c0mpanied by a commission of the leadin
saFans of Paris. The result of their resenrche
among the monuments of departed power ar
known to the world. The victories of th
Third Napoleon at Magenta and SOlferin
are attributable to a great extent to the intro
/ duction of rihed cannon, balloon recOnnoii
snce, field telegraphs, and the assistance
numerous ways Of scientific men.
Gen. Fremont is surrounding himself wit
all the appliances of the combined wisdol
aad ingenuity of an enlightened age, and tbs
be will be successful in driving back Il
Egyptians and Austrians Of the South cann'
/, be reasonably doubted, unless political il
! trigue shall continue to harrass him.
..- P.B.