Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-02-27
The SIGNAL CORPS,
Lieut.. Lane win Organize a Com
pany at Once.
FULL EQUIPMENT WILL BEFURNISHED

= - - vAhAA We OVahsPsAny SvAAA Vo GSAnS
Of the Four Organized In the
State-Corps, Duties In Hell.
iograph Work, Etc.
From Thursdays Daily.
AS stated in yesterdays Courier
Lieutenant Walter l.. Lane is in re-
ceipt of a communication from Col.
II. H. Garfield, of Boone, thru militia
ny channels to the effect that it was
desired that he proceed at once with
the organization of a signal company
to be attached to the Fiftieth regi-
ment, Iowa National Guard. This is
the first company to be organized in
the state since the Spanish American
war and Ia one of the four that are in
contemplation, one being. attached to
each regiment in the state. Lieuten-
nal company in Cuba during the late
had the practical experience as well
as the theoretical knowledge to be in
the lead in organizing company of
this character. This is a good oppor-
tunity for men who wish to study up
on signal work to enlist and to that
end Lieutenant Lane would like to
hear from five telegraph operators and
five electricians who desire to join the
/ company. Lieutenant Lane may be
found at the Western Union telegraph
office and would be pleased to hear
from recruits. The communication
states that an order will be issued in
the near future and THAI upon the or
gapization of the company full equip
ment for signal service work will be
forwarded. The colonel asks that the
lieutenant proceed with the work of
organizing the company at once and
Mr.. Lane intends to push the matter
to successful issue.
The Duties of the Corps.
The duties of the corps in the guards
will be practicing with the Photograph,
signal flags and building telephone and
telegraph lines. Telegraph work is
perhaps the most fascinating. In this
mirrors are used, one of which is sta
toned an given point with a compa-
ny and the other with another body
of men, perhaps many miles away.
This instrument can be used only on
days when the sun shines, but unlike
the telephone and telegraph, signal
ling cannot be interrupted. The mir
Tors are focused upon each other
that isl the beam Of lighb from one
mirror is focused upon the mirror at
the other end of the route--and by a
shutter arrangement for shutting off
the light the officer in charge of the
Instrument is enabled to send mes
sages something after the manner OF
the Morse code, the short flashes cor
responding to the dots and the longer
flashes to the dashes inNthe Morse code
The shutter being in front of the mir
! ror the device can be operated as quick
" as. possible and a succession of
short flashes would correspond to the
same number of dots in the Morse
code making it comparatively easy for
tie officer at the other end of the line
Sb read it. Messages are often SEN
rom one high point to another over
ihe intervening country for space oil
Skeyenty miles, where the air is clear
The heliograph has demonstrated its
occasion arise Lieutenant Lane in
tends that the company attached u
the Fiftieth under his charge shall be
we'll drilled in its operation.
Signalling with Flags.
Another matter that enters largel,
into signal work with an army is TIL.
use of flags for short distances. Oh
men-of-war it is called wigwagging ant
sailors become SO expert in the use O.
the flags, that they frequently carr,
on conversations with their mates oil
other ships. 1t is said. than jackie
would rather carry on conversation
in this manner than in the manner or
dinarily obtained by people less skill
ed. But to return to the army mucl
the same system obtains as in tn,
navy. Flags Of two colors are used
one white, and one red. When waved i,
one direction they indicate dots. and II
Il another dashes. to correspond with tn,
Morse code and may be read as rapid,
when the atmosphere is clear as il
! any other manner the telegraph no
excluded. In Cuba the value of tn
flags was thoroly demonstrated, mes
sages being frequently read up TO tel
miles. For use. in moving a division
or in regimental work they are inval
liable.
Telephone and Telegraph Work.
The telephone and telegraph play al
important part in the gentle art o
ri Wal oAiStSA COllSti
tons, generally speaking, than tina
under which the heliograph and flag
are used. For instance it would no
be possible ito lay telephone or tele
graph wire in anything like the tim
communication could be establishe
between two given points by mean
OF the heliograph for long distance
or the flags for comparatively shorte
distances. Neither of the systems ar
perfect because neither will work I'm
der all conditions. Cloudy days woul
interfere with the use of the hello
graphs and flags and on the othe
hand an enemy might find the wire
connected with the telephon
or telegraph instruments, Gu
them and interrupt commun
cation or attach their ow
instruments, and If not sent in cipher
receive valuable information. The il
strnments are valuable. however, flo
the use for which they are intende
and are the most perfect that have We
p,,t Al.