Sometimes its just easier doing things yourself

[wilber6150]

Just a little light hearted moment for this forum, obviously the Secretary was just too impatient to wait for the pesky messages to be decoded so he came up with this brilliant idea lol...I wonder how long it would have taken a captured message to be read I hope nothing to important was sent this way..lol

WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Richmond, Va., June 22, 1863.
Major General D. H. HILL, Commanding, &c.:
GENERAL: The delay is so great in transmitting and deciphering dispatches in the cipher used by the signal corps, that I shall here-after, when necessary to employ cipher, communicate with you in the following, viz: Reverse the alphabet, taking Z for A, Y for B, X for C, &c.
I request you to use the same cipher in your dispatches to the Department.
Your obedient servant,
J. A. SEDDON, Secretary of War.

 

[Nathanb1]

Just a little light hearted moment for this forum, obviously the Secretary was just too impatient to wait for the pesky messages to be decoded so he came up with this brilliant idea lol...I wonder how long it would have taken a captured message to be read I hope nothing to important was sent this way..lol

And people wonder how the Union won?

 

[wilber6150]

Ummmmm nothing too important like troop movements or strengths I hope....What? oh shoot... lol

RICHMOND, June 27, 1863.
General D. H. HILL,
Petersburg, Va.:
You had better send here to-morrow morning Jenkins` brigade and any other spare force you may have around Petersburg. The enemy are reported as concentrating about the White House, but I do not feel sure that there are yet more than some 6, 000 there.
J. A. SEDDON,
Secretary of War.
WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Richmond, June 27, 1863.
General D. H. HILL,
Petersburg, Va.:
Use your discretion in regard to Colquitt. Some force, the number to be judged by yourself, should be left to prevent incursions in North Carolina. I think we may need all that can be spared.
J. A. SEDDON,
Secretary of War.
WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Richmond, June 27, 1863.
General D. H. HILL, Petersburg:
Positive information received that General Dix, with some 25, 000 or 30, 000 men, had concentrated at Yorktown. A real attack is doubtless intended. Your whole force will probably be needed, and you are requested to make dispositions accordingly, without delay.
J. A. SEDDON,
Secretary of War. WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Richmond, June 27, 1863.

 

[wilber6150]

And people wonder how the Union won?

The Union didn't have to arrive " fastest with mostest" they just read where the Rebs were going and took their time lol:laugh2:

 

[K Hale]

Just a little light hearted moment for this forum, obviously the Secretary was just too impatient to wait for the pesky messages to be decoded so he came up with this brilliant idea lol...I wonder how long it would have taken a captured message to be read I hope nothing to important was sent this way..lol

I would LOVE to have heard Hill's reaction upon reading that well-thought-out missive. I bet it included "REMF."

 

[Elennsar]

Shouldn't that be JVNU?
:laugh1:

I think I got it right,

 

[Glorybound]

I bet it included "REMF."

Shouldn't that be JVNU?

Ok, once again I'm clueless..on the acronyms.

 

[ole]

I think it means Junior Varsity, Nevertheless Useless.

 

[Elennsar]

Ok, once again I'm clueless..on the acronyms.

Rear Echelon Mother...um....yeah, that word. Military term for people whose purpose in life seems to be making the work of Real Soldiers more difficult, as I understand it.

The other one is an attempt to put it in the code Seddon suggested using.

 

[K Hale]

I learned about REMF when someone (I forget who) suggested it was something Sherman might have applied to Stanton. Seems to fit Hill/Seddon too.