New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-10-07
The Signal Corps sud tho Chicago nepos-
.... Iicnn.

s,p. Permit me, on behalf of the returned
SIGNAL officers who believe that thev have as faithfully
and perhaps as benefclay served their country during
tho late war as most others Of her military defenders
a space in your journal. whereby may be shown the
caumnious character Of certain article recently pub
lshed In The Chicago Republican. 1t says:
1--WE have had pretty extensive opportunities OF
noticing the services of the Signal Corps during the
war; and feel bound TO testify that II hiss been as useless
as Ii has been costly. We cannot now recall single
instance in which its abos have been Of any pracncn
yalue;" "but the Signal Corps has, from first 10
last been nothing but very costly and worthless num-
bug. We should have been better off without it,
The above assertion, think may be shown to be
wholly untrue and whether 1t is that offspring ofigno-
rance prejudice or dishonorable policy. 1t alike ira
duces class of returned veterans worthy OF better
treatment.
The writer saws lie "had pretty extensive opportuni
ties Of noticing the services OF the Signal Corps during
the war;" II he means that those opportunities &C.
CURED to him In the War Department dor never
heard of him in the eld) Unjust observe that he made
very poor use OF his advantages and as 1t was In
measure his duty to the people TO understand the value
Of the different branches OF army his ignorance on
that score to credit him with the most charitable ex
cuse for his error is certainly rprebensbe for in that
tory letters from distinguished general officers who
have used de.achments of the Signal Corps during
active operations in the field and others from naval
officers Of renown, who have rsed them In combined
ATTACKS by the land and naval forces Testimonials as
to the valuable services rendered by tho Signal Corps
during the Rebellion. and opinions indicating the I'M
doubted utility OF such corps in time OF war, have
been written by the following army and navy heroes
H. In Ia
people will prefer to that of the writer in Tie RPubi
can; they are: Sherman. Sheridan, Thomas. Hancock
Howard. Sedgwick. Banks. Butler Plcasonton, Terry
Ruford, Custer. Curtis. Merritt Fitzpatrick. Wash
bnrne Granger Couch, Sykes. Webb. French. Wright
Farragut. Porter Du Pont Dlhlgren and about 10
Others ] will now quote from few 10 SuDstanllate
my assertion:
Sherman writes. Oct 81 1861 In referring to the re-
lief of Allatoona by Gen. Corse;
Had 1t not been for the services OF this corps. on
that OCCASION am satisfied We should have lost the
garrison at AllatoOna and most valuable depository
OF provisions there, which was worth 10 us ana the
country than the aggregate expense OF the Mhoe
Signal Corps for year. am, therefore, willing TO
bear my testimony TO the great utity OF lhe eor rs
well a. the marked zeal which has always character
lied their personal behavior"
Sheridan says, Dec 20 1864;
"It is with pleasure I ON enabled 10 acknowledge
the reliable services rcndaed the Government by the
detachment OF the Signal Corps"
Thomas writes under date OF Dec. IL. 1863:
The Signal Corps is OF the essential organza
tions OF q well-appointed army.
Hancock states Oct 81. lsGi after enumerang other
important services rendered by his Signal Officers;
Since the partial investment Of Petersburg. they
have occupied lOOkOuts near the 'front.' and have de-
,ected nearly every movement the enemy have made
from our front The reports Of signal Ocers are par
oulary valuable on account OF their general trnlhu
ness Officers not accustomed to such duties are 80
md Al m
ports arc not very trustworthy.
Howard, in speaking Of Atlanta remarks:
Prom their signn stations before the bcsieged city
they watched the movements OF the enemy day and
night and kept me advised at all times oil any changes
made in the disposition Of bis troops
The lamentcd Sedgwick wrote Nov. 25 ls63
CT have been familiar with the workings Of the Signal
Flag Corps and the services rendered thereby nj df
ferent times within my knowledge have been OF a
hiShiy important Character
Butler says September. isGi:
THE signal detachment Of this Department Nir.
GINA ard North CIrolns) has rendered most important
and ereeH,nf service
Weitze in writing Of the Corps. remarks:
They have not only rendered iardlrGbe assistance.
but have supplied information which could only have
beon gained BY great sacrifice oil Me-
| Banks says. in December. letJ;
Il wish 70 make my unqualified approval Of both the
utility Of the Corps (signaD and the conduct oil lis
officers"
Custer writes Dee. 10 1863.
IAN army can have No better outpost from which to
watch the movements Of an enemy than signal sta
iion and with praciced signal officer at such posi-.
ton no force cat move without being detected"
fitzpatrick states. Dec. q. 1868;
The battle Of Booncsborough (Md.) was fought and
By the aid OF signals"
Peasanton. in writing Of the services Of tie Signal
Corps, says:
1.-THE frequent opportunities in which their services
have been brought into requison In the transmission
Of important intelligence when operating lar in the I'D
vence or the fGnks Of an army. away from common
CENTER and IN places rht ordinary MEANS Of tsrdphng
could net possty be applied cohvihce me Oh tnof 'eJ
great utility. at least With TINS prm' (C"aH''
Ferragut writes. Oct 10 1864
1T gves me great pleasure at oil times TO bear test
nony to the efficiency the Army Signal Corps
Dahlgren says:
II have seon no one that appears TO be simple so
rapid and 80 easily read the Myers (or army sig
nails at all distances when the signal dag or torch can
be distinguished
Du Pont states. Dec. 81. 1863:
81 am convinced but for directions which gave 10
several vessels and which could only have transmitted
by these signals aImy), the Of the dangerous
gale encountered. we should have experienced seri
Gus disaster from collision"
Porter says that BY tho services Of hi, army signal
officer he
| WAS In constant communication with Gen Terry.
even during the assault Fort Fisher. and enabled
10 drel he fire Of the New Ironsdes the traverses
occupied by the enemy without fear Of hurting own
people"
| Couch writes, October IL. 1854:
Am satisfied that it CSgna Corps has been OF IN
oaleuab advantage to our armies in their various op
| eratons.'
He also states his belief that had not his signal deach
boen taken away from him previous to the burn
ing Of Chambersburg 1t would (by giving to Averil
timely notice Of the approach of McCausland have pre-
vented that catastrophe.
In REGARD q tie Curna heino ncostlYn Womb re.