Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-08-17
g" OLD TIM ERS1
Reunion at Chicago of Veteran TeIe-
graphers of the Union A-ny,

Reunion at Chicago of Veteran TsIe-
| graphers of the Union Army.
| GHIoAso August 16th-It was iolly.
merry, great hearted crowd which throp
the decks of Captain David Coehrane's s
steamer, the John A. DIX, this afternoon.
| The Representatives OF two great eras in the
! history OF the United States had been ten
| dered an excursion on Lake Michigan bv
| the local Association, and it was not at all
! inappropriate that at least ore of the oTear,-
| lzations' present should take It's outing on 8
boat named sfter one who had said that
| instant death alone could atone for any
disrespect to the American flag.
WAR-WoRN TELEGRAPHxRs:
The crowd on this occasion was COM
posed of the representatives of the Old
Time TelegTaphic Operators and the
United States Military Telegraph Corps of
the Civil War" who for two days have met
together in jDint session for the furtherance
of good fellowship. The first of these
organizations represents the entire tele-
graph service of the United States during
the first twenty-five years of its existence.
1t lnclGdes in its membership BOYS who
handled the first rude instruments at the
time of their invention by Morse. When
the armies Of the Union swept across the
vast theater of war some were in the far
west along the Mississippi, some marching
on the Atlantioaud others fighting on the
bloody fields in Virginia. 1t was necessary
to keep in secret communication with
the headquarters in Washington. This
could only be done by means of the tele-
graph. Each army had its corps of tele-
graphers with ii, and their duties were par
ucularly arduouS. None of the relaXations
attendant upon the incidents of camp life
were theirs. They worked early and late
receiving and sending dispatches, translat-
ing clphers and keeping in constant COM
municatiOn with the detached corps and
with headquarters.
SOME OF THE DANGERS ENCOUNTERED,
Sometimes the operator was exposed to
peculiar dangers. Often during the retreat
OF an army he and his fellows would be
left IN the rear exposed to the enemy until
the last moment in order to take advantage
OF any hope which might be sent by way
of intelligence that reinforcements were
at hand. Often the operator climbed
the telegraph poles, and connect
ing his instruments with wire,
would hold communication while
exposed to CALLING fire from rebel sharp
shooters. He slept in the swamps and
laid his life down on the battlefield as
bravely as the bravest soldier. But the
peculiar responsibility of the service Law
with
THE CIPHER OPERATORS.
There were about five of these in Washing
ton, and each General had one with him. |
The cipher operator received and inter-
preted dispatches of the most momentous
nature. Often he had the password long
in advance of the time when it was to be |
used. Mr.. Eros Water, editor of the Omaha
Bee, had the password of the corps with
which he was connected for weeks in ad- |
vance. when not even the General of the
army knew it.
IMMENSELY OF THE WORK.
During the great civil struggle over
10 600 miles of wire were in operation, and |
over $4,000, 600 messages were estimated to |
have been sent. About 1,2QO operators
were employed, and nearly 800 were |
killed, wounded or captured on the field of
battle.
Through the efforts of General Rosen- |
Grams bill was introduced in the House |
which recognized the value of the services |
during the war and made provisions for |
pensions. This was referred to a co.n,uit- |
tee in the House, and finally was passed. |
with the exception of the pension clause |
More delay resulted, and finally it got to |
the Senate, where now, with the exception |
OF any pension provision, it lays awaiting |
passage by that body.
OFFICERS ELECTED, ETC.
This morning the "Old-Timers" had
brief session, choosing the following Off
GERS President, Colonel Charler Kyler, of |
Frankfort, KY; Vice-President, Day ]. |
Smith, of Kansas City; Secretary and Treas |
urer, William J. Dealy, of New York.
The next annual meeting will be held ia |
Louisville, KY, during the third week in |
September, 1889.
After the return from the excursion both |
organizations sat down to banquet at
Kinsley's.