The Washington herald., 1909-08-16

tue Loyal Legion. is held In higher eS-
TEEN than those who in their professional
capacity as telegraphers and signal Off
GERS served army interests actively IN
the field during the civil war. Their
deeds We're influenced by motives OF
patriotism, and furnish fine examples OF
Intelligent performance. self-abnegation
and heroic devotion 20 the cause OF The
preservation or the government
To promote the welfare Of these men.
whether regarded as individuals or as
component parts. the Society Of the
United States Military Photographers has
been formed.
Like the Society Of the Cincinnati. es-
tablished In 1888 10 perpetuate the friend
ship OF the survivors OF the officers OF
the Revolutionary army the Society OF
the United states Military photographers
has provided means for perpetuating the
latter organization.
Organized ia 1852.
The United States Military Telegra-
piers was organized into a society in
1SS2. its first reunion taking place at
Niagara Falls IN September OF that year.
AS there are now less than 200 survivors
of the 1900 original members Of the corps.
Il was realized that something should be
done 90 perpetuate the society Accord
ingly, an amendment to the constitution
was proposed by Mt =. Homer Bates,
one OF the first Of the Pittsburg boys and
well known as a washington official. at
the reunion OF 1906. held al the Waldorf
Astoria. which was subsequently agreed
upon.
Following Is the text OF Article VI:
'All persons IN good standing who
were members Of the Military Telegraph
Corps at any time from the beginning of
The war Of the rebellion 10 the disband-
ment OF the corps. and the sons and male
descendants Of such members, shall be
eligible TO membership IN this society"
This measure IS not only Of general in
terest. but Of local concern TO many OF
the survivors who reside IN Washington
engaged IN official positions. several OF
whom are veteran employees OF the tele-
graph companies
Mr.. Thomas Morrison, discussing off,
Ger OF the State Department. was a war
operator located az City Point when that
Virginia town was a lively locality Mr..
Jesse H. Robertson Of the Signal Office.
was a telegrapher IN the Army OF the
Cumberland. I served as telegraph scout
attached 20 headquarters. cavalry, Army
Of the Potomac. riding TO Gettysburg with
Custer. A number OF former residents who
viii attend and who are we'll known as
prominent Washington officials. are. Cen.
Thomas r. Eckert. late president Of the
Western Union Telegraph; a. b. Chan
der. of the War Department, and now
chairman OF Postal; Charles A. Tinker.
former manager Western Union and gem
eral superintendent, New York; Mr.. d.
Homer Bates formerly OF War Depart
ment and manager and president Of tele-
graph company.
Mr.. Carnegie, who Is known as the
father or the military telegraph" has
always shown great interest I'm the boys.
and though at present In Scotland. re-
membered the old comrades by a gen
erOus donation and a letter OF regret at
not meeting with them in Pittsburg. II
viii be recalled that the society gave the
celebrated 'T3' dinner to Mr. Carnegie
on attaining his seventy-third birthday
last fall, the characters "73" IN telegraph
or on the wire meaning compliments or
best wishes
Col. Clowry, president Of the Western
Union, with others prominent In the art.
including Edison. who worked at the KEY
ara -Nt''N4A 81 F4A' he lA teEilAs ASIDE from
the fact that a number Of old teleg-
raphers who have attained prominence bv
the stepping stone Of the telegraph office.
IL is roughly estimated that comrades
whose aggregate wealth exceeds two or
three hundred million dollars will sit at
the banquet alongside some comrades and
Oid-time associates who are vet working
tor small salaries, but all viii be equally
happy
PtttSburg and Washington Interested
Pittsbmg and Washington are inter
ested In the present society because fl
was originated in the Smoky City ana
perpetuated IN Washington. Col. Thomas
A. Scott's railroad office al the Outer
Depot the famous go" office was tho
school from which were graduated many
OF the boys Of the corps. Andy" Car
negie was one OF the boys. and as chief
he was the principal instructor Of many
who became prominent in after life as
railroad and telegraph officials.
At the breaking out Of the war. when
the approaches 70 the CAPITAL were de-
stroyed by tho mobs. Secretary Cameron
had Col Scott detailed to reconstruct
and operate the abandoned railroad. He
took his secretary Andy Carnegie. along
but as the communication had not been
reopened TO Washington, Col. Scott went
by rail 70 Hagerstown. thence TO Har-
pers Ferry, from where he drove in
buggy 70 Washington in the night.
Mr. Carnegie entered the city from
Inherent direction. going by boat to An
napohs, where he obtained an emptv
engine, and rode In the cab with he
engineer. IL was during this night ride
that Mr.. Carnegie discovered q break I'm
the telegraph wire. and, stopping 10 re-
pair it. the ends Of the wire accidentally
switched and struck him in the face
causing severe pain and bleeding II
was this Incident which promptad the
Laird 70 say no had the honor OF shed
ding first blood IN the war, and was en-
titled 10 a pension.
One Of the first acts on his arrival
In Washington was the sending OF the
famous telegram now on record calling
upon the five boys Of the Pennsylvania
Railroad at Pittsburg TO come 20 Wash |
lngton 70 enter the government service
as telegraphers. This was the nuclens
or the Military Telegraph Corps. whose /
survivors are celebrating by a reunion
In Pittsburg.
II was these mere boys whom Andy /
knew as his pupils, and the sturdy engi- /
heeTs' nremen conductors. and trainmen /
or the Pennsylvania Railroad. who were
me hrst 20 reach Washington. not the
skin Massachusetts Regiment. which
ohiy reached the Capital a day after the 4
SIX companies OF Pennsylvania troops /
had been able to reach the city by the 4
repaired railroads and telegraphs.
First to Reach City.
- L was one Of the first to reach Washing
ton, and was at once detailed a. co1 |
Scotts suggestion TO enter the lines OF
the Contederates to read by sound the
Confederate generals communication