Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-02
SWAYED THE STRIFE.
The Important Part Performed in the
!, Late Civil War By
HEROES OF THE SIGNAL SERVICE
Is Shown BY Documents in Possession Of o
Pittsburger
WHO BECAME QUITE NOTED IN THE WORK

The value of the signal service during the
war of the rebellion has not been generally
understood and valued according to its
merit. Commanding Generals were largely
dependent upon the signal service reports.
The dispatch of some humble sergeant,
made from the top of tree, often deter
mined the movement of the army. The
signal service man reported every step
taken by the enemy to the minutest details,
which determined the course of the Union
troops, just as in the game of chess one
player is governed by the moves of his op-
ponent.
One of the best known and most useful
signal service officers in the late war was
DR.. Henry w. Fulton, of the East End,
Pittsburg. His services were repeatedly
recognized in the official reports of COM
manding officers. A reporter for THE DIS
PATCH called upon the Doctor at his home,
at Penn and Highland avenues, yesterday.
1t was great treat to look over his valu-
able collection of war relics. But the most
interesting thing was to read various dis
patches in his memorandum book, made at
the most critical period of the war, during
the campaign around Petersburg. The
dispatches were made mid the bursting of
bombs and the whiz of the sharp shooters
bullets, often cutting uncomfortablv close
to Sergeant Fulton. Some of these dis
patches are given to illustrate the nature
and value of the signal service.
His Term of Service.
DR.. Fulton entered the. army in April,
1861, at the beginning of the war, and was
mustered out, by expiration of his term of
service, in October, 1864 He enlisted as
private soldier, first in the three months
service and subsequently in the Fifty-third
Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Colonel
Brooks command. In December, 1861,
the doctor was transferred to the signal SER
vice, in which department he served until
discharged. He was connected with the
headquarters of every general commanding
the Army of the Potomac, from McClelland
to Meade.
A good specimen Of the orders under
which young Sergeant Fulton acted, is fur
nished in the following, issued by Major
Fisher, chief of the signal service under
Major General Meade:
Sergeant Fulton:
your station and sign all reports. I will
hold you responsible for the good working
of the station. Keep q man at the glass
from daylight until dark. Report every
indication o. movement, taking care to
carry no information but that OF which You
are certain. Your reports have been very
good.
This order virtually of promotion was is
sued under circumstances the doctors mod
esty will not permit to be related. Among
his documents DR.. Fulton has q manifold
copy of q dispatch which reads as follows:
Sergeant Fulton. '''
The General commanding would like to
know If You observe anything unusual in the
enemy's lines. In our front, in the direction
OF Weldin Railroad, a scouting party have
the clearing beyond, and report finding no
enemy where their pickets were yesterday.
J.. PAIN,
Captain and Signal Officer.
The following dispatch was taken from
the top of a big pine tree, the Sergeant
being seventy-fve feet from the ground.
The observation was made on the eve of the
battle of Ream's station. go
Att NJ. a heavy column of infantry, three
quarters of n mile in length, appeared in
vicinity Of mead worl, coming from direction
of Petersburg, on road west of Weldin rail-
southwest on line Of Weldin railroad.
Enemv opened signal station on house rear
and to left the large fort The force work
third as large as was this morning Corn
in fields near Weldin railroad is being cut
and hauled to rear of large fort.
A large number of similar dispatches
were passed in the headquarters that same
day.
Some PeriIous Experiences.
The doctor often passed through perilous
experiences. Upon one occasion when in
the top of a tree two batteries of the enemy
opened fire upon him. He saw all the pre-
liminary movement distinctly, loading the
cannon, aiming and applying the fire, and
even the smoke, all before the shells reached
him. At last when the sharpshooters began
to cut the twigs of the tree all about him,
Sergeant Fulton thought it prudent to be-
take himself for time to the pit at the foot
of the tree.
The signal service men always went with
light equipments, each man having but
sword and revolver. Other signal service
equipments, rations and extra baggage were
carried in light spring wagons. Owing to
its peculiar character, the signal service
was allowed, by special order or. General
Mcclellan, and subsequent commanders to
draw rations from any quartermaster or
supply wagon in sight. The signal service
was practically given the right of way un
der all circumstances.