Evening journal., 1898-06-03
rELEeRAPHERs OF THE WAR.
Certificates of Honorable Service Are
Given 10 Field Operators of
the clyn War.

The old boys of the army telegraph
corps who served as telegraphersin 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 teRgraphers of the civil war was
organized, and at once petiuoned con-
. gress to recognize the corps as a 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
the house committee on military af-
fairs, reported a similar bill. In fact,
from 1850 to the date of its final adop-
ton 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 it passed the senate, but
could not be reached in the house. 1t
was again passed by both houses and
became a law IN 1897. 1t gives the mill
tary telegraphers legal standing as an
integral part Of the army and an hon
orable discharge.
The secretary Of war has caused q
handsome photographic certificate to be
prepared, and is issuing them TO survi-
yors or the representatives of deceased
members as fast as the records in the
war Office can be examined.
, At the outbreak of the war no gov
eminent hada a military telegraph corps.
There was no law for one. Indeed, it
was even supposed to be impracticable,
but the demonstration was made so ef-
fective that every government at once
adopted it as a 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 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 eiii-
cheney OF the service that from the first
there was 10 doubt congress would give
the telegraphers a legal army status
and an honorable discharge. but il
came after moro than half of them were
In their graves This certificate con
tains n beautiful illustration Of the use
at the telegraph on the field of battle,
where it was often employed
A. tho state encampment 70 be helC
as Streator, Ill. early next month, the
G. A Il. boys will be asked to recog
Rize certificates as honorable discharge
wlHhiR the meaning Of the requirement.
f0F admission TO membership.
n might be mentioned that by ordei
se the secretary Of war all of the ciphei
Keys were held by tho army operators
who thus became the trusted custodian.
OF all the great army secrets Tn,
casualties sustained by the corps in thu
war alone evidence the great danger il.
mednbers were in throughout the serv
ice.-Chieago Inter Ocean.