New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-15
MILITARY SIGNALLING.
MPROVISED TELEGRAPH AND TELE-
PHONE LINES.

FLAGS AND LANTERNS.

FLAGS AND LANTERNS
From the headquarters of every department
commander of United States troops there wen
to the South last week that which a certain
General apty termed the eyes OF the Army
the men and apparatus by which the variou
attachments Of Uncle Sans forces Of invasion
and occupation will keep in CONN unication
Certainly the signalling department Of the Arm.
upon which will 'devolve the task Of freen
Cuba from Spanish rule is not only one of tn
most important. but also the most intercstin,
branches Of the service. Its operations ar
picturesque and It's paraphernalia is of a kim
to appeal to that element in human mature
which delights in mystery
Among the operations. says THE Chicago
Post" for which the signal branch of the Arm!
il prepared is that of laying telegraph an'
telephone wires from the back Of gallopinl
horse. taking observations and photographs o
the enemy's forces from the basket Of an an
chored balloon. and heographing our war
ships while they still grea, distance
out at sea. Not few OF the most i'm
portant devices with which the work of signal
ling will be conducted in Cuba and along the
Atlantic and Gulf coasts are OF comparatively
recent use. and never have been put to the
have been subjected to elaborate and searching
trials. however, and it Is believed by those who
have devoted years OF study to this branch OF
military service that the United States is not
behind the foremost nation Of Europe in the
matter OF its facilities for intercommunicatior
BY signal code.
The perseverng and thorough drill in signal
ing which has characterized the work OF the
National Guard and the Naval Militia in gen
eral is a matter for sincere congratuation In
the present grave National crisis.
THE REGULAR ARMY SIGNAL CORPS.
The Signal Corps OF the Regular Army con-
6sts Of ten officers. including Chief Greedy. and
nifty sergeants. 1t is probable that nearly all
the latter are now at Tampa Key West. Mo-
bile New Orleans. Chckamauga and other
Southern points awaiting transportation to Gu
ban soil But they are among the busiest SOL
diers in all the camps Of the South. for they
must act in the capacity Of drill masters for
large numbers Of comparatively inexperienced
men. According TO the military regulations Of
the United States Army each company must
have not fewer than four men who are pro
ncent in signalling and who may be detailed at
any time to this kind of service. All who have
any familiarity with signal work. which in
cludes the construction ard operation Of tele-
graph and telephone lines. may be- sure that
their experience will be made the most u by
their officers. and that every available moment
Of waiting will be utilized in drills and practice
Of the most exacting and vigorous kind
While Photograph. flag. torch and rocket sig
Mailing are among the more snowy features Of
signal work the task Of running a temporary
telephone telegraph line is by no means a
nj upiDteresiiuP This n
nection the word running has literal applica-
ton. for the latest patterns Of reels will permit
the signal man to pay out his line while mounted
and clearing the ground at a brisk canter. The
device used for this purpose resembles an ordi-
nary wood pulley. with handgrip attachment
similar TO the handle OF garden spade AS the
wire is fine a single hand reel contains strand
q half mile in length. Bicycles also are equipped
With reels carrying wire for line one-third OF
. mile long. These devices are so constructed
that the recovery or winding OF line Is as
simple and speedy matter as the paying out
process. The men running these lines will carry
upon their backs small telcph )ne Kits. made OF
aluminium or other light material. This viii AZ
ford instant and secret communication with the
point from which the advance is made.
DETAILS OF EQUIPMENT
Next in its possibilities for rapid work is the
two wheel reel cart. This carries three miles
Of double cable and Is OF bicycle construction
1t Is fitted with shafts for a horse may be
pulled by two men. Every detail Of this device
II as carefully wrought with view to light
ness and strength as are the parts OF a high
grade wheel a bicycle sulky The spooling
or winding apparatus for the recovery Of the
cable is automatic. Although this cart may be
used as easily for the construction Of telephone