The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-07-28

HUNTERS RETREAT.
and second-class priFates. They were nearly
aIl second-class priYates, and the position OF
frst-c.ass private was the first step in the line
of pron:u,i3n, and few had this honor. That
anenlisted man was second-ciass private was
nothing against him as a soldier. A first
class private drew S10 month more pay
than the second-class, and the pay of the
second-elass private was the same as the
other soldiers of the army. A great many
officers of volunteer regiments were trans
ferred to the Signal Corps as Acting Signal
officers
Capt. f. Z Town. of the Signal Corps,
q. S. A.. commanded the Signal detachment
in the Department of Western Virginia.
CODE OF SIGNALS.
The following is the Signal Code used in
the Army: a, IL; b, 1923; c. 234; D, III !;
E. %; f, 1lI4; G, 1142; H, 231; I,2; J,
2231; K, 1434; L, ia; NJ, 2314. n, %: O.,
IA; P, 2343; @, 2342; L. 142; S, 143; Z, L; u,
223; Y. 2311: W. 2234; Y, 1431; Y, 222;
z, iii; &, 2222; ing. 1143; tion, 1928.
Code sgnals-5, end of a word; So, end of
sentence; 555. end of message; 11-11-11-5,
/ understand; 11-11-11-555, cease signal
ing; 1924 -2234-5, repeat; 143434-5, error;
142-142-142-5, move to right; 114-114-114-5,
move TO left Numera!s-1-14223,w wait a
moment: 2-23114, are you ready? 3-11431,
] am ready; 4-11143, use short pole and
small flag; 5-11114, use long pole and large
flag; 6-23111, work faster; 7-223l1, did you
understand e-22223, use white flag; 9-22342
use black flag; 0-ll111, use red fag.
Early in the Spring of 1864 Gen. Sigel, COM
manding the Department of Western Virginia,
ha collerted his available force in two columns,
the one under his own command near VIM
chester, the other, under Gems. Crook and
Averell, at Charleston, on the hanawha, their
objective Icing Lyncliburg. Gems. Crook and
Ayereli had abont 1000 men Of all arms and
Gen. sige about 1000. Considering the long
line of railroad to guard and the Territory to
protect. these forces were much too small for
offensive operations, az events afterward proved.
About the LIST Of May the con- Joint movement
began, but the army, divided it was, and
moving in two columns not within supporting
distance, was
PLACED AT A DISADVANTAGE,
and gave the enemy. who held the interior
line. the chance TO fall upon each column sepa-
rately and defeat il in detail. Gen. Crook,
commanding the western conms, divided his
forces and sent Gen. Averel, with about 1000
cavalry. to march TO Wytheville and destroy
the works there, but when he got to within
about eight miles of that place the notorious
guerrilla Morgan, with some 1900 rebel cavalry
met aud defeated him: while Gen. Crook
moved 10 the left against the Virginia & Ten
nesse Railroad. At Dublin Station he engaged
the enemy sharply and drove him back, with
quite severe loss to himself and began to
destroy the railroad. when Morgan's rebel cav
airy came mp aud Joined the enemy's forces
Gen. Crook, being now greatly outnumbered
had TO retreat. 1t is here seen that Gen
Crook forces divided are too weak TO meet the
enemy. and he, like good General, proceeds
10 unite them. But as C0mrade Howe in his
Interesting statement already published gives
detailed account Of Gen. Crooks movements
Will now return TO the eastern column in the
Valley.
On or ahout the 10th OF May Gen Sigel broke
camp at Cedar Creek and began his march,
Orders had been given TO officers and men TO
cut down their baggage TO the lowest possible
point the intention being TO move Light and TO
LIVE UPON THE COUNTRY,
and destroy much as possible of the enemy's
supplies. The people were bitterly hostile to
our cause. and while claiming onr protection
as peaeeable citizens secretly aided the enemy
The fertile Valley FAUST be touched with the
scourge o. war and made untenable as a harbor
for the rebel army.
Such WAS the spirit of our instructions The
rebel Col. Moseby. with his Partisan Rangers"
operated upon our flanks aud rear, interiered
with our trains picked mp stragsiers. and COB
bled about everything be could get his hands
on Several Signal stations sent out were never
heard OF again.
Gen. Sigei met with little opposition until
he struck New Market, where on May ID he
walked the enemy II ia force ably commanded
by Gen. BrerkiBridgc. Here a sharp engage
ment eHsRel. Sigel rushed his mea up and
prepared for battle, and the enemy were ready
20 receive him. Sigel's attack was repulsed
and the rebels ia return attacked with viyor
and drove sisel back, capturing six guns and
some $50 prisoners Sigei, surprised at the
warm reception he had received ordered q re-
treat, and fell back in good order to Cedar
Greek. The enemy did not care to press their
advantage, or they might hare handled us
more roughly than they did. They followed.
but soon gave il mp. Sigel's rear guard was an
ugly thing for them TO tackle. They had paid
for their victory and were satisfied TO let Sigel
alone.
sIGEL WAS STRONGLY CRITICIZED
for his defeat at New Market by the powers
behind the throne" Would any soldier of
that army, present on tie field, say this criti-
cism was iusii
Sigels effective force was about 5000 men.
that OF the enemy estimated at 5000 Ia a
few days Gen. Sigei got his walking papers,"
The practice OF relieving commanders after
every defeat had become chronic
Fortunately, about this time Lee was so
hard pushed by Grant that the former Or
dered Rreckiaridge out of the Valley 60 Join
him. This nude it possible for the little
Union force above named. nnder q proper
commander. TO cut its way through to Stann-
Hhftdeoe Nx. S,v