The national Republican., 1862-10-03
IlAospsrowY. Mn. Oct. |, 1862.

HAoERsrowS, Mn, Oct l, 1862.
Yesterday paid a visit 10 Elk mountain,
and found there one Of the principal signal
stations, al which learned some very interest.
'ng details concerning the signal service, one
oi the most important branches Of the army.
The code now In use was invented by Major
Myer, OF the United States army, and first used
IN New Mexico during The war With The In
ians. The corps now number upwards Of
three hundred otii,ers and nine hundred men,
elected from different regiments Of The volun'
teer service. The organization Of the corps
was first perfected soon after the breaking out
ot the rebellion. At the signal camp Of To-
struciion on Red Hill, near Georgetown, the
officers were taught and perfected 10 the sys-
tenn. They were subjected TO q preliminary
examination before. and final examination
after instruction. Each officer represents
regiment In the service, and, like engineers,
form part Of the army staff corps They are
subject to be ordered TO any part Of the conn
try, and they frequently occupy the m ct ex-
posed positions.
The colors of the Il ,gs used are modified by
the nature Of the background. White, with q
black centre, aud red with q white centre, are
used against O dark back ground, and black
with white centre against q clear sky. The
signals are made by rapid movements of the
flags In different directions. They can be un-
ders'ood at distances varying from five to
twenty five miles, according to the atmosphere.
At night flying torch 10 substituted for the
Dag, and footlight is placed at the feet Of the
signal mau,
The officers are furnished with powerful tel
escopes and marine glasses, The excellence Of
which is celebrated through the army. The
corps being q mounted one, stations are estab-
lished and changed with great rapidity. There
a n atntinna 0f ohcoryotion MI Fat a IA
lions, aud headquarter stations. At the first
named the movements Of the enemy are watch
ed and reported. At the second messages
impossible TO be directly signaled to a given
point are transmitted through to their destins
ton. For example, q general 10 Q valley
wishng to send orders to q distant point In the
sams valley, sends them first TO mountain
| station. A. the third, orders and intelligence
are transmitted to and from the respective
generals.
The distance between stations 10 not often
I more than six miles though, In some instances
1t Is much greater. Each signal officer has two
| mounted iagmen, who make, under bis dlrec-
tions, the signals. The station on Elk mountain
snce the passage Of ihs enemy oyer South nouI :.
tain, has been one Of the most important. AZ
an illustration Of the necessity Of the signal
corps to the army, but one instance need be
mentioned. When our troops were assailed al
Brick House Point, by largely superior forcse,
during tina Peninsular campaign, a message,
by signals brought four gunbosts, lying seve-
raj miles from the shore, 10 their assistance
The deadly Ire from the hea;y navy ordnance
worked most disastrouslJ upon tEe reLsis, and
effected their defeat.
As q reward for distinguished sisOal service
10 the field, battle f,gs" are awarded to Off
GERS This flag Ia of white silk, end has In lie
centre red star, On which Ia Inscribed the
name OF the action Bat few presentations
have haen made, sId .as receipt of TIE Gag 10
Considered one Of the highest honors that can
be had in the corps Those who are familiar
with Maj Myers struggle to introduce bis sys.
TEN into the army, will remember that Jeff
Davs proposed, in Congress, to pay the invent
or 100000, and have the code made public;
but the MAJOR, who wgs then a aurgson, insist
I'd upon i position Ia The array, which was
| eVentually granted him.
Among the officers attached to the tiensl
corps on the mountain with whom had the
pleasure Of oonvarsing, ! an PAL alticularly In.
dsbied to Lisnt Frederick Owen. Lately our
army has made no movement of any import
anca Eenel al Acinlellan's hesdaparters were
mos ed nearer the hhtetsm creeE, and, in con
sequence, some slight changes have taEsn place
10 ibat vicinity.
Oa Monday night recanlalssaDcs was made
across the Potomac from Sharpsbufg The
rebsl pickets were driven in, and the position
OF the rebals learned. Nothing definite rc-
snlted from the expedition. II Ia believed,
however, that the main body OF the rebel army
is many miles from "a, but lust exactly where,
no on- at present appears to know.
Many Of our soldiers who can get leave Of
absence are engaged in fishing In the Potomac,
between Dam No FOpr aud Wiilauisport, for
arms dropped Ly ihs rebels in their hasty
4 ght over Ne river. A large number of guns,
swords, pistols, a., have been recovered 10
this way.
Captain E Spencer Miller, who for a long
time has worihily beld the position Of provost
marshal OF thia place, has bsen supsrssded by