Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-09-29
1flisttllorlp.
Scraps from the Signal Corps No. l.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY or TIE PToMAC, I
Culpepper, Va, Sept. 10, 1868.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY or TIE PJToMAC,
Culpepper, Va, Sept. 80, 1868.
Mn. EDlIok While at division headquarters
with my mail one morning about fortnight
since, learned that the Signa Corps we're re-
ceving recruits from volunteer regiments, and
having been very hvorAbly impressed with this
branch Of the service, by a visit paid station
90 Sugar Loaf Mountain, Ind, last winter, |
sr.ightv,y resolved that would attempt to
change the scene Of my lsbors. ! have often
thought it wise provision Of the Almighty which
veisd the future from our gaze, that we might
not be discouraged by the troubles in store for
ut, which, II revealed at once would presenta too
formidable array for the courage Of any man ;
and the manner in which my transfer TO the Sig
nal Corps has been managed, has furnished me
additional proof Of the correctness Of my opinion,
for could have seen at, glance the amount Of
red tape necessary TO accomplish this object,
| think should have been deferred from taking
the first step. There was enough TO make suit
Of" boys clothes" Perhaps your readers would
like 10 see it measured, to make sure.
! had first to max. an application to Captain
Norton, chi.f,sns officer Of the army Of the Po-
,.moc, requesting permission to be examined for
admission to BIZ, corp. To this document OBJ
tanned the approving signature Of Lieut.. Col.
Henry, commanding the 10TH and then carried il
to Capt. Norton, at army headquarters. lie ap-
proved il and sent il to Gen. Meade, who also
approved it and sent it TO the commander Of the
Sd corps, for expression Of opinion From
thence i, wm sent 10 the Sd division, and then to
the lt Brigade, and then 10 the regiment, each
headquarters sending /, to the next lower, repeat
ing the request for an expression Of opinion
Again Col Henry approved it, and it commenced
the upward journey, receiving the approval O
brigade, division, and corps commanders, and II
nslly brought up at Gen. Meades headqu.rter'
again. An order to report for examination wal
then made out by the Adjutant General OF th'
army and sent to me through Official sources,
receiving the signature Of the sdjutants at corps
divisions and brigade headquarters, and in m,
own regiment reported, was examined and &C
cepted, and sent back to my regiment toiprocur
my descriptive list" Finding the 10th on tn
march, could not get the document, but wa
promised that it should be sent me as soon as
could be made out. Reporting back to Captain
Norton, for duty, found that the corps ha'
moved, and had a twenty mile march to over
take them.
So here am, in tn, Signal Corps, but no, ye
transfeusd-only on detached service, until a
order from the War Department shall strike m
name from the rslls Of my regiment. But | thin
may safely say, with so much sccompf'hed-an
assure you that il is with an emotion Of joy tha
| say it, too" Good.by nantry Long enoug
have had the fear OF knapsack, mu,ke', sixt
rounds Of ammunition, and eight days ration
hanging over my head" The mounted seryic
don't uemble at such prospects. Besides, M
Editor, may, in certain contingencies, tell you
other and more potent reasons for my rejoicing
being out Of the 10th Vermont. There's man
a tale to be told after the close Of thi, war.
The Signal Corps has never, until the pn'
Summer been recognized asa separate branch
the service, but an act Of Congress has now 6
constituted it, and regulated its organization, &
Hitherto the service Of signaling has been pc
formed by soldiers Temporarily detached fro
their regiments. The Signal Corps is now dl
tncl branch Of the regular seruicc, and as soon
its ranks are filled by the transferals now taklI
place, it is to be organized as follows, viz' The
will be seven enlisted men and one commission
officer on every station. OF the enlisted men 10
Of the seven are termed second class private
drawing the pay OF private in the infantry "
hrst class priva,es, drawing seventeen dollars p
month, and one sergeant, drawing thiriy'io
dollars. The service is mounted, and the uI
'orms and arms are the same as that Of the cav
~. So much have learned in the day or two
have been here, and presume that every suocet
ing day will reveal something new to me and
'eresting TO your readers, though you will perce
l The necessity Of prudence on my part in speak,
/ ola service the efficiency Of which depends who
upon ip operations being kept secret from