The new South. [volume] (Port Royal, S.C.) 1862-1867, 1862-08-30

OF the Ort Will wave q nag over Ills Hesiu, III Z"
most mysterious manner, at the equally mysterious
orders Of the signal officer, and long before she
clears Tybee, we shall know at Head Quarters that
the Ram is coming, where she is, what she is like,
and such other information as it may be desirable
for us to know in order that we may receive her
in the proper manner. Such means of cOmmuni-
cation are proof against "tapping'' and "cutting,
and stations can be moved at pleasure from one
position to another. An officer takes his men, and
they their flags, and mounting upon house or
tree, or (Which does not occur here, where not
even hock relieves the solemn and monoto-
nous leveD mountain top, puts up a flag and there
is signal station. With strong glass he can see
away off in the distance dim spcck, rising against
the sky, from some Other prominent object, and
there is another signal station. Presently that
little speck-so dimly and family secn--moves a
little to the one side and then little to the other,
and back again, and those two fellows set to work
talking to each other, with absolute correctness
and to any extent, and upon any subject that may
be needful to talk about while one not initiated,
may gaze and peer until his eyes grow blind, with
out, at such distance, being able, for the life of
him, to note to which side the flag is moving, or
indeed if it make any other than the same regular
motion all the time. Ih6se Who came with this
Expedition were the pioneers Of system that has
worked a great change in one OF those things,
greatly desirable, yet in which all armies were sad
ly deficient. Simple in its construction, it deties
all tests for solution, and is of the most coIprc-
hensive character, rendering great service upon
the battle field, where it is used to convey orders
or warnings, from the commanding officer S, to col
umns miles distant, or separated from him by i'm
pasSable obstacles-as also to direct the fire of
gunboats or batteries .hpen points not within their
view. To such uses it has been applied in this
Department upon several occasions with entire
success. Thoroughly tested, it has spread itself
over the whole army, and signal officers now ac-
company every column. Some time ago the Navy
Department formally applied to have it introduced
into the Navy, and naval officers are now, we be-
licve, being instructed therein.
In selecting officers for this service, cool, clear
headed, intelligent men required, tnot unfic
quently happens that they are greatly exposed, and
W ii their GOODNESS in transmitting, their intel
igcnce.in understanding, an order properly, may
dependthe safety and success ofour forces.
The position Of the Signal-men We should scarce
iy regard as delightful one. Indeed, the station
at Elott's Plantation-in the top of high tree
full sixty feet from the ground, affords rather
disagree bile idea of his duties We have heard
of unfortunate travellers who have been hung up
on pins around the walls Of crowded country tav-
erns, but sleeping in trec-top is hardly much
more desirable lodging. One who walked III his
sleep would do well to change his habits in that
respect, lest he wake up and find himself de,,d on
the ground in the morning. The b:cakiag Of Il
nail or the splitting of one OF the little strips
nailed on the side of the tree which form the ladder,
either of which may happen, would lead to other
'sbreakings much more serious At Braddock'
Point, the station is located upon the house in