Signal Corps items

[Chalmers' Division]

I saw a couple signal corps posts from a while back.

It was mentioned about a black flag being used. This was during times of snow. There were also varying sizes of flags for distance in relaying wigwag messages.

The Signal Corps - Antietam National Battlefield (U.S. National Park Service)

www.nps.gov

Very interesting form of early battlefield communication.

 

[JOHN42768]

Interesting subject that was extremely important to battle field commanders

 

[major bill]

The Howand's Engineer Company (Battle Creek MI) was trained to use Drummond Calcium lights to signal both during the day and at night. Signals at night could be seen for up to 10 miles. The Drummond lights could also be used to view the enemy at night. The Drummond light, aided by a telescope a man could be see at up to five miles. This company also trained in the use of signal flags and telegraph.

 

[Chalmers' Division]

The Howand's Engineer Company (Battle Creek MI) was trained to use Drummond Calcium lights to signal both during the day and at night. Signals at night could be seen for up to 10 miles. The Drummond lights could also be used to view the enemy at night. The Drummond light, aided by a telescope a man could be see at up to five miles. This company also trained in the use of signal flags and telegraph.

Impressive- I saw your post on limelights from 2018. I agree seeing a combatant from five miles a way at night (with telescope of course) is impressive.
I have Myers book and used it in my reenacting days. More innovations- https://www.warhistoryonline.com/american-civil-war/true-innovations-civil_war.html

 

[major bill]

Impressive- I saw your post on limelights from 2018. I agree seeing a combatant from five miles a way at night (with telescope of course) is impressive.

I do wonder what tactical advantage this might have. One could see enemy movements at night, but still a general would have to understand and use what was being reported.

 

[Chalmers' Division]

I do wonder what tactical advantage this might have. One could see enemy movements at night, but still a general would have to understand and use what was being reported.

Lee supported the innovation of signals... but I agree a general officer would have to process the information. I may have to dig in the OR for signal ops. Myer has a the comprehensive account for Federals. I recall him mentioning E.P. Alexander as his counterpart (Confederate) but my recollection may be hazy. HA!

 

[Chalmers' Division]

@major bill have you seen this one? https://history.army.mil/books/r&h/R&H-SC.htm

 

[Old Soldier]

On another thread I explained the importance of drum and bugle tactically within the regiment. These flag/light signallers would have been involved in communications higher up the command to the army HQs - far faster than a messenger, even on horseback. This was extended to reach an electric telegraph station - or even the White House! These were usually from a high vantage point - hence the number of 'Telegraph Hills' around the country - and the world. The system is referred to as 'optical telegraphy'. The field signallers used aerial signals or aerial telegraphy - common name 'wigwag' - always coded using the numbers 1 and 2 in 1-4 number groups. ( https://www.civilwarmed.org/signal-corps/ ) The flags size was dependent on the distance covered. They used one flagpole. (Motion 1=1; Motion 2 = 2; motion 3= 'space')

You needed strong arms to be a signaller! At night, 'torches' (kerosine lamps) were used in place of flags.

The fixed lights probably used the Morse Code (1844) - or a variation of that.

The flags used then were shown in their arm badge as well as symbolic 'torch':

US Signal Corps at Elk Mountain Antietam - their equipment also included a 30x telescope, seen below:

On established, safe signal routes without electric telegraph, towers were used to advantage.

 

[Chalmers' Division]

On another thread I explained the importance of drum and bugle tactically within the regiment. These flag/light signallers would have been involved in communications higher up the command to the army HQs - far faster than a messenger, even on horseback. This was extended to reach an electric telegraph station - or even the White House! These were usually from a high vantage point - hence the number of 'Telegraph Hills' around the country - and the world. The system is referred to as 'optical telegraphy'. The field signallers used aerial signals or aerial telegraphy - common name 'wigwag' - always coded using the numbers 1 and 2 in 1-4 number groups. ( https://www.civilwarmed.org/signal-corps/ ) The flags size was dependent on the distance covered. They used one flagpole. (Motion 1=1; Motion 2 = 2; motion 3= 'space')
View attachment 449591

You needed strong arms to be a signaller! At night, 'torches' (kerosine lamps) were used in place of flags.

The fixed lights probably used the Morse Code (1844) - or a variation of that.

The flags used then were shown in their arm badge as well as symbolic 'torch':
View attachment 449589
US Signal Corps at Elk Mountain Antietam - their equipment also included a 30x telescope, seen below:
View attachment 449590

On established, safe signal routes without electric telegraph, towers were used to advantage.

Gettysburg (the movie) had some Signal action. As far as HQ involvement night ops were seen right outside Hancock's HQ in the film and the rotunda on the first day. I will have to find an my old code book. That ensignia was definitely sown in on Federal impression.
This really was some neat stuff.

 

[Chalmers' Division]

On another thread I explained the importance of drum and bugle tactically within the regiment. These flag/light signallers would have been involved in communications higher up the command to the army HQs - far faster than a messenger, even on horseback. This was extended to reach an electric telegraph station - or even the White House! These were usually from a high vantage point - hence the number of 'Telegraph Hills' around the country - and the world. The system is referred to as 'optical telegraphy'. The field signallers used aerial signals or aerial telegraphy - common name 'wigwag' - always coded using the numbers 1 and 2 in 1-4 number groups. ( https://www.civilwarmed.org/signal-corps/ ) The flags size was dependent on the distance covered. They used one flagpole. (Motion 1=1; Motion 2 = 2; motion 3= 'space')
View attachment 449591

You needed strong arms to be a signaller! At night, 'torches' (kerosine lamps) were used in place of flags.

The fixed lights probably used the Morse Code (1844) - or a variation of that.

The flags used then were shown in their arm badge as well as symbolic 'torch':
View attachment 449589
US Signal Corps at Elk Mountain Antietam - their equipment also included a 30x telescope, seen below:
View attachment 449590

On established, safe signal routes without electric telegraph, towers were used to advantage.

I found this in my stacks too-

 

[Old Soldier]

Most folk do not relate warfare in those days to today's when, in fact, they are very similar - just the weapons and tactics are different. These guys were the 'radio operators' of their day - the HQ signallers. They are often forgotten about or maginalised. Support arms are just as important to a successful campaign as the guys who get shot at.

 

[Rhea Cole]

A black flag with a white square in three sizes was a standard part of a signal flag kit. There were also white on red & red on white flags. The black flag was used when the background was very bright, e.g., snow. The kit included two torches & a canteen for turpentine.

The torch that is in the signal corps insignia was fueled with turpentine. A person with normal vision can see a candle flame one mile away. Signaling at night was easier than daytime flagging. Sunset, sunrise, haze & a host of other ambient light effects impeded flag signals.

It was necessary to use two torches in order to follow the movement of the signal. Without a torch at the feet of the signalist as a fixed point of reference, it really is impossible to tell which way the torch is moving. We proved that during demos at Stones River.

On really cold clear winter nights Fort Transit Station 10 miles east of Murfreesboro could signalize directly to Fort Negley Station in Nashville. That was forty one miles each way. Under routine conditions, signals were relayed by LaVergne Station roughly half way in between.

Generally, signal stations were ten to fifteen miles apart. At twenty miles the curvature of the earth becomes a factor. There were instances where daylight signals were successfully received over extended distances. General Corse's messages from Alatoona Station to Kennesaw Mountain Station being the most famous.

Brown's book pictured above is both a unique & an excellent source. <civilwarsignals.org> is your go to for expert essays on telegraph, visual signals & codes. The men referenced above signalizing in the movie Gettysburg are contributors to the Civil War Signals website.

Note: postwar the army used the "heliograph" that used mirrors & lenses to send solar powered messages. If memory serves, the record mountain top to mountain top record was 80 miles.