The National tribune., 1899-02-09
WIc-WAcGHG IN '64.
Some OF the Experiences Undergone by
Signal Men.

Editor National Tribune: Perhaps no
branch of the military service is so little
understood or much under-eStImatod
as the Signal Corps, which now embraces
the Teleera. IN depar lmont.
1t BENG d stan department, ike the
Engineers, ii would be supposed that the
Corps were always in soft place; but
there is no safe place in an army. On
the contrary, at times they are called to
occupy the most dangerous positions TO
be found-away to tae front ana on the
tops OF hills and mountains, where they
can be seen for miles as they carry on
their work, frequently with but a small
guard to protect them, even in close prox-
unity to the enemy.
The advance posts must always DC
within sight of the enemy, and must re-
port by motion OF flags in the daytime
and torches by night, which must call
immediate attention from the antagonist.
They thus become the targets ot sharp
shooters Of every sort-from rifle to a
fieldpiece. Their business can scarcely
ever be hidden for any length of time.
1t must be fun to sit or climb teie-
graph pole or a tree and adjust wire or
spy out an enemy when accompanying
an advancing army, with the distant
woods full of shaTpshooters or bush
whackerS. If you doubt il, try il: or take
position in advance of an army with the
skirmshers and perhaps before you
know ii become the target for every long
range gun from most any direction.
The organized Signal service is of
modern date. 1t was never thoroughly
organized in our armies until the last
years of the civil war. Gen. Sheridan
detailed a Regular officer, Capt. Gran
Howard, to put il in operation in the
Shenandoah Valley in 1861. Capt. Howard
soon had the few already detailed col
lected, and, detaching number Of the
brightest young officers to be found IN
that famous army (Lieutenants), soon
had the whole under the best of dis
cipiine and rendered Invaluable service.
Several young men now well known
here were among them. Two OF my own
regiment 05th w. Va.), Lieuts. Butcher
and Fortney, were among the number;
also, Lieuts. Muhleman and Ellis, of the
10th Olio, and Lieut.. Baritcau, OF the 5th
\. Y. ii. A.
1t required those of active, bright and
intelligent minds, as well as nimble under
standing-le In an exceedingly
saort time the whole Valley was under
their immediate eyes, communicating
with each other often from 10 to 20 miles,
keeping Sheridan posted as To every move
Of the foe during the day and reporting
every information of scouts by night.
There were many prominent points Of
observation that nave gone INTO history
during that mpaign-AIaryland Nights.
Loudoun Nights and Bolivar Nights, Fort
Duncan, Sugar Loaf. Round Top, Aiassa
nutten and Tnree Top Mountains.
1t was by information from the Signal
Corps that the day was finally won at
Cedar Creek. by discovering and studying
out the Confederate signal code, as fol-
lows:
"Rectortown, Va, Oct. Is. 1861.
Lieut.. Gen. Early: Be ready To ad ance
on Sheridan as soon as my forces get up,
and we can crush him before he finds out
have Joined you.
y. Longstreet."
Gen. Wright took immediate action to
siren sthen the right Of his line, where he
expected an attack; nut his left was
turned by Gordon and driven back uyon
the right, which was able to withstand
he shock until the order VI the three
,orDs were almost completely rever sed
and reformed Err 10 the rear of the original
inc by Gen. Wright. and ready, under the
Of oheri Ian when he appeared,
% advance and sweep the field.