The National tribune., 1899-09-28

blockade from Richmond. Ny head
quarters were with Col. White, command
ing two regiments of infantry, one regi-
ment OF cavalry and a battery of light artil-
lery. This was an important post for tele-
graphic communication between the armies
of the James River and the Potomac.
Keeping communication open between these
points was our duty. Our lines were fire.
quently cut and interfered with by the
rebels, as the following incident will show:
During the Summer of 1864 our lines were
frequently down north of our headquarters,
cut, no doubt, by some daring Johnny"
One day 1 equipped myself with pocket
instruments, horse and wagon, and with
Dick, my colored servant, started for the
scene of the trouble. We located it about
eight miles north of Drummondtown.
Dick attempted to make the wire connection,
but failed, dropped the wire, and yelling
"Massa, the rebels are coming. left me
double-quick. Hastily l made the con-
nection, and on driving back to head
quarters, found Dick trembling and white
as sheet. After severe reprimand gave
him to understand that he was working for
Uncle SAM" and not TO desert his post
again. He begged off and said, @Massa,
\
shot next minute"
IN the voluminous histories of the war
scarcely any mention is made of the most
important auxiliaries to the armies, the
military railroaders and the military tcle-
graphers. The importance of their united
efforts in connection with military move
ments does not admit of any argument
There is 10 public record of the service ren-
dered, such as may be found in the too often
beggarly official reports of the general
officers who profited by the hard working
and ever faithful civilian railroadcr or
telegrapher. These gentlemen do not even
have the satisfaction of knowing that their
names are on record among those who
served the country in its time of trouble.
1t has been discovered that because Of this
shameful neglect these officers are rot
eligible TO membership in the ranks of the
G.A.R., as are teansters and hospital
servants. The survivors OF the United
States Military Telegraph organized them
selves into a society some 18 years ago,
having for its object the passage of such
Legislation as will secure TO them this tardy
recognition by the Government.
There is probably not telegraph or rail-
road company that does not contain on its
roll of employees some Of these war workers
If an engineer, brakeman, conductor, tele-
grapher, or bridge-builder is occasionally
met with whose hair is gray, it is pretty
safe 10 assume that lie served on some of
the military railroads during the war; and
if you question this old man it is probable
he can tell you more about the movement
OF a certain army corps than many of the
soldiers who served III the ranks. He will
tell you how they rebuilt the railroads and
telegraph lines as fast as the rebels de-
stroyed them. II is truth that tie whistle
OF the locomotive was one of the most vel
come sounds listened TO during the war, as
1t either brought reinforcemerts or Per-
haps carried off the dying and the wounded
and prevented their capture.
Still, looking little further, we find that
although the telegraph ncs only did effective
work in saving our Capital, yet the military
lines We're in use all throughout the West
Southwest and Southeast, just as important,
and more SO, as in the earlier days OF the
war. The army commander originated
plans of operation, but the army operator
was the safety vault where they were kept
Sherman at Atlanta formed his pur-
poses TO move 10 the sea, but he was power
less 10 move without the consent of Grant
at City Point. Thomas was in peril in
Middle Tennessee, but Smith could not &c
to his help without Grant SO telegraphed