The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-07-22
TELEGRAPHERS OF THE WAR.
Certificates of Honorable Service Are
Given to Field Operators of
the Civil Wnr.

The old boys of the army telegraph
corps who served as telegraphersi 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 1880 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 part
of the United States army in the war of
the rebellion. Gen. Logan became deep
ly interested in the subject, and intro
duced bill in the senate recognizing
the telegraphers as an integral part of
the army. At that time he 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 it could be
reached for passage and Gen. Howley,
who took his place on the committee,
took charge of it.
Gen. Rosecrans, while chairman OF
bAC SOlli tiiulCtc OA lulllldIY III
fairs, reported a similar bill. In fact,
from 1880 to the date of its final adop-
ton every committee on military af-
fairs of both houses of congress recon-
amended this legislation. Once the bill
passed both houses, but reached the
president too late for his signature. At.
another time it passed the senate, but
could not be reached in the house. 1t
was again passed by both houses and
became law in 1897. 1t gives the mill
tarV telegraphers legal standing as an
integral part of the army and an hon
orable discharge.
The secretary of war has caused a
handsome Photographic certificate to be
prepared, and is issuing them to survi-
vors or the representatives of deceased
members us fast as the records in the
war Office can be examined
At the outbreak of the war no gov
ernment had a military telegraph corps.
There was no law for one. Indeed, it
was even supposed TO be imrracticable,
but the demonstration was made so eff
fective that every government at once
adopted 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 60 to Cuba as corps
of the United States forces.
The reports and letter of Secretary
of War Stanton, Gems. Grant, Sherman,
Mcclellan, Burnsides, Sheridan, Logan,
Scofeld, Franklin, Banks, Warren and
many others bore such strong testi-
mony of the military character and effi-
cheney of the service that from the first
there was no doubtcongress would give
the telegraphers legal army status
and an honorable discharge, but it
came after more than half of them were
in their graves. This certificate con-
tains a beautiful illustration of the use
of the telegraph on the field of battle"
where it was often employed.
AT the state encampment to be held
at Streator, ILL.,, early next month, the
&. A. r. boys will be asked to recog-
mze certificates as honorable discharges
within the meaning of the requirements
for admission to membership.
1t might be mentioned that by order
of the secretary of war all of the cipher
keys were held by the army operators,
who thus became the trusted custodians
OF all the great army secrets. The
casualties sustained by the corps in the
war alone evidence the great danger its
members were in throughout the serv-
ice.-Chicago Inter Ocean.