Evening journal., 1898-05-23
TELEGRApHERs OF THE WAR.
Certificates OF Honorable Service Arc
Given to Eicld Operators OF
the Civil War.


The OLD boys of the army telegraph
corps who served as telcgraphers in the
civil war are now receiving certificates
of honorable service, and they hope in
future to receive due recognition from
grand army organizations.
In 1850 the Society of the United
States Military Corps, composed Of
army telegraphers of the civil war was
organized, and at once petitioned con-
gress TO recognize the corps as a part
OF the United States army in tie war Of
the rebellion. Gen. Logan became deep
ly interested in the subject, and intro
duced a bill in the senate recognizing
the telegraphers as an integral part of
the army. At that time no was chair
man on military affairs, and.by order OF
his committee he reported the bill for
passage. 1t was favorably reported
in the senate at a subsequent congress
by him. but he died before il could be
reached for passage and Gen. Howley,
who took his place on the committee,
took charge of 1t.
Gen. ROsecrans, while chairman OF
the house committee on military af-
fairs, reported a similar bill In fact,
from 1850 TO the date Of its final adop-
tion every committee on military af-
fairs Of both houses OF congress recon-
mended this legislation. Once the bill
passed both houses, but reached the
president too late for hissignature. At
another time 1t passed the senate, but
coulh rot be reached in the house. 1t
was as ,in passed by both houses and
became q law in 1897. 1t gives the mill
tary teiegraphers legal standing as an
integrai part of the army and an hon
orable discharge.
The secretary OF war has caused "a
handsome lithographic certificate to be
prepared, and is issuing them to survi-
vors OF the representatives Of deceased
membe rs as fast as the records in the
war Office can be examined.
At the outbreak of the war no gov
ernment had military telegraph corps.
There was no law for one. Indeed, il
was even supposed to be impractlcable,
but the demonstration was made so eff
fective that every government at once
adoptel it.as part of its army and for
years it has been so in this country
The telegraphers of the army are al
ready preparing to go TO Cuba as a corps
of the United States forces.
! The reports and letter of Secretar.
of War Stanton, Gems. Grant, Sherman
Mcclellan. Burnsides, Sheridan, Logan
Scofeld. Franklin, Banks, Warren an,
many others bore such strong testi
mony OF the military character and eiii
cheney Of the service that from the iiTs
there was no doubtcongress would Civ
The telegraphers legal army statu
and an honorable discharge, but
came after more than half OF them wer
in their graves. This certificate con
tains O beautiful illustration ot tho ua
= OF the telegraph on the field Of battle.
2 where 1t was often employed.
At the state encampment 70 bo hel
AZ Streator, H.. early next month. Ia
/ G. A. i boys will be asked 10 recol
nizc cerHhcates as honorable discharg,
within the meaning Of tho requirement
! for admission 80 membership.
Il might DO mentioned that by ords
OF the secretary Of war all of the ciphe
e keys we've hold by the army operator
who thus became the trusted custodian
Z of all the great army secrets III
? casualties sustained by the corps inth
war alone evidence the great danger II
members were in throughout the ser'
ice.-Chieago Inter Ocean.