F. W. Chesson File: YBP.HTM
144 Fiske Street, New: 6-6-1996
Waterbury, CT 06710 Rev: 2-13-99
SECRET WIRES
Young Brass Pounders
(Teen-age Connections)
When Fort Sumter's guns roared, the majority of the future
Military Telegraph operators had not yet reached their legal
Majority, and one was eight years distant.
Pressed by Simon Cameron for telegraphers to handle an
anticipated flood of railroad traffic, Thomas A. Scott, President
of the Pennsylvania Railroad, called for experienced operators.
The message was routed through his protege and rising star,
Andrew Carnegie, already in Washington after a perilous trip
through seccesionist Maryland.
Washington, D.C. April 22. 1861.
David McCargo, Supt. Telegraphs, Penna. Railroad, Altoona, Pa.
"Send four of your best operators to Washington at once,
prepared to enter Government telegraph service for the war.
Andrew Carnegie."
(Bates: Lincoln in the Telegraph Office P-14)
Altoona, Pa. April 23, 1861.
Andrew Carnegie, War Department, Washington, D.C.
"Message received. Strouse from Mifflin, Brown from
Pittsburgh, O'Brien from Greensburg, and Bates from Altoona, will
start for Washington immediately.
David McCargo." (Bates, P-14)
Thus is was that David Strouse, Samuel M. Brown, Richard
O'Brien and David Homer Bates arrived to form the initial,
fast-growing nucleus of the infant United States Military
Telegraph. Prior to their departure, William B. Wilson, another
young veteran, opened the first Pennsylvania Military Telegraph
station in Governor Curtin's executive office in Harrisburg.
The four young brass-pounders arrived in a virtually-
isolated Capital on April 27th, after a circuitous journey
through Secession-dominated Eastern Maryland. They found rooms
at the National Hotel at 6th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue,
where troops of the recently-arrived Seventh New York Regiment
were also quartered. At the War Department, they reported to
Scott, recently-commissioned Colonel and soon-to-be Assistant
Secretary of War.
Bates describes how they found the telegraph instruments
located in what was then Chief Clerk Sanderson's quarters.
"Upon entering, we could see through the open door two very
tall, slim men, President Lincoln and Secretary Cameron. Nearby
was Mexican War hero, General Winfield Scott, massive as well
as tall, and whose splendid uniform contrasted sharply with
Lincoln's homely appearance...."
Bates' first assignment was at the Washington Navy Yard.
Here, the commander (and future Admiral) John Dahlgren, directed
the sergeant of the guard to strictly forbid entry or exit to
the telegraph room. The command was taken so literally that the
young operator found himself virtually a prisoner.
Once he climbed out a window for some liberty, but upon
returning, the sentry overheard his entry and warned him that he
would risk being shot the next time. After a stint at Annapolis
Junction, he returned to the War Department on May 24, there to
remain for nearly the next five years.
During this time, his monthly pay rate rose from $60, as
Operator to $100 as Cipher Operator as of December 1, 1862, to
$150, as Chief Operator, one year later and $160 as Assistant
Manager as of July 1, 1865 and continuing at this rate through
August 31, 1866.
The boys' first Superintendent was one of their own, David
Strouse, appointed May 15th. A frail youth, his dedication to
the service would lead to an early death from over-work. Bates
would go on to be part of the famous War Department Telegraph
team of Chandler, Tinker and Bates, renown for their code-making
and code-breaking skills. Curiously enough, fifty years later, a
similarly-sounding trio would dominate Baseball's Early Years, in
the form of Tinker, Evers and Chance, famed for their double-play
routine with the also legendary 1906 Chicago Cubs.
Scott's main concern soon became the enormous expansion of
rail lines in the Capital to cope with the unprecedented build-up
of troop and freight movements. Telegraph line expansion thus
became the responsibility of the ill-fated young Strouse, whose
first efforts were to wire up the rival War and Navy Departments.
Next came extensions to the Washington Arsenal, and the vital
Chain Bridge. Then it was across the Potomac to Federal footholds
in Arlington, Alexandria and finally on out to Fairfax. Had the
line reached Centerville, the Bull Run disaster might have been
prevented, as only courier service was available from Fairfax
Court House out to the battlefield.
In the meantime, the new War Department telegraph
headquarters underwent its own evolutions. In May, it was
transferred from the Clerk's office to the entersol at the head
of the first stairs for two months. In August, it moved to a
room on the first floor, described as being north front and east
of the main Pennsylvania Ave. entrance. Then in October, it was
uprooted to a room west of the rear entrance, opposite the Navy
Department.
With Stanton's arrival in early 1862, the new Secretary of
War directed that the office be located in the old Library Room,
on the second floor, adjoining his own three-room suite. The
Library, dating back to 1800, was in a room dominated with tall
windows and alcoves containing many rare volumes, including an
Audabon original illustrated works. Increased traffic soon caused
Stanton to allocate an adjoining room for use by the cipher
operators.
Getting enough operators to keep up with the flood of
arriving military units soon became critical. Scott's Penn-
sylvania Railroad could only supply so many before its safety
and operations would suffer. Commercial telegraph lines were the
obvious choice and before long, Anson Stager, Superintendent of
Western Union in Ohio, offered enough volunteers for Scott to
consider a "brigade" and he responded accordingly....
(To:) Anson Stager, Cincinnati.
"Your brigade of Union operators will reach this Department
in good time. We have been much in want of them. Much obliged.
Thomas T. Scott."
(To:) Charles Cheney, Relay House. We will send a night
operator this evening. Scott (17-549) [Microcopy Number and Page]
* * *
Recruiting was also carried out by the operators themselves.
(To:) Henry Beck, Williamsport, Pennsylvania:
"If you are a sound reader (rather than a basic tape reader)
leave for Washington immediately. Answer to me in care of Wm B.
Wilson, Operator War Dept Washington. Jonathan B. Beck"
Wilson, himself, called William Dealey at Philadelphia's
Broad and Prune Streets Office in early September and offered:
"Would you like to try camp life on Government lines at
sixty dollars a month (?) If so, and (if) you can come at once,
(I) can get you a situation. Answer."
When Dealey telegraphed his acceptance on September 7th,
Wilson replied:
"Come immediately to War Department Washington and report to
Mr. Gilmore, Supt. Answer when you will leave." (23-64)
Personal recruitment continued well after Bull Run, as the
burgeoning new armies demanded more and more telegraph operators
and supporting staff....
To: A. A. Pritchard, Jr. Granville, Ohio Sept. 1861
"Will you and Bush of "F" accept places in Telegh Corps (at)
Sixty per month? Start at once. Passes will be sent to "G."
(John B.) Stough, Opr. War Dept." (20-844)
A serious matter of communications security was the subject
of the following circular telegram of June 4, 1861, sent to the
Alexandria office and those serving McClellan and McDowell....
"You will not give the contents or subject matter of
dispatches to anyone, no matter who, unless by consent of the
person to whom the dispatch is addressed. The utmost secrecy in
regard to war movements must be observed.
D. Strouse." (20-923)
Scott also commanded strict security in the following
hastily-written telegram:
"Under no circumstances will you allow anything to be made
known which comes from any of our operators on this line, or any
reports recd at the War Dept. T.A.S." (17-459)
The young telegraphers were a foot-loose and free-wheeling
fraternity, but military service still called for links with home
to be maintained.
On June 20, Wilson wired his brother back in Harrisburg, who
bore the same name as Secretary of War, Simon Cameron.
"Map is in an envelope in clothes press in our room. My
felt hat, as also my silk hat, I left with Christ Christman at
Jack Heel's when I was home, three weeks ago. Are they not there
(?)" (23-56)
On the same date, the reply came as follows:
"Will attend to it. Could not find the slouch hat. I think
package will be forwarded tomorrow. All Well. S. Cameron Wilson"
To: James Caldwell Zanesville, Ohio Sept 7, 1861
"Send (package) care of War Dept Teleg Office. Please teleg
me when sent. A. H. Caldwell" (12-46)
To: Billy Zeigler, Phila Office (Sept-Oct, 1861)
"Please send Zook's History Theory & Practice of the
Electric Telegraph, left in Tommy's desk by Billy Shiedre(?) to
me by Adams Express and oblige. 73 Wm J. Dealey Govt Telegh
Opr Darnstown Montgomery Co. Md" (4-305)
Note: The author of the requested book, Samuel Kosciuzko Zook,
had entered the telegraph business as a young man and made enough
technical discoveries to become the author of a practical
handbook. Active in New York militia affairs, he commanded the
57th N.Y. on the Peninsula. He became a Division Brigadier
General in November, 1862 and died of wounds at Gettysburg on
July, 3rd, 1863.
Even after Bull Run, there was still youthful pride, if not
bravado, in being part of the War for the Union, as evidenced by
Superintendent Wilson's following two telegrams to a military
outfitter in Philadelphia:
To: Horstman Bros & Co. 5th and Cherry, Phila. Aug 19, 1861
"Please send immediately a cap ornament similar to mine by
Adams Express to Thomas Flesher Government Operator, War Dept,
Washington. Collect on delivery. Wm. B. Wilson."
And a few days later....
To: Horstman Bros & Co. 5th and Cherry (Sts) Phila.
"Did you receive my letter of the 19th in reference to cap
ornaments. If so when can you send the articles. Answer by
telegh. Wm. B. Wilson
And to an operator named A. B. Wells, in Alexandria....
"Will leave (cap) ornament in office with Mr. Bates so your
messenger can get it when he comes. I am much better. 73.
Yours, Wilson."
Discipline of the Telegraph Service, if not in full military
style, was still paramount. Even the mild-mannered Strouse found
it necessary to send admonishments on occasion, such as these
undated wires....
Jesse Bunnell, Station Z:
"You failed to report promptly last night. Another such
failure will subject you to a fine. D. Strouse."
Charles W. Jacques, Alexandria:
"Your reports last night were few and far between. Another
failure to report will subject you to a fine. D. Strouse" (20-886)
Besides the usual technical problems of the service, the
telegraphers also had to cope with bureaucratic red tape and
military regulations....
Received...June 6th, 1861
From...(Wilson)
To: D. Strouse
"If you possibly can, send us a magnet for Ax (Alexandria)
wire. The one we have there had all its virtue played out during
years of service on Amn (American Telegraph Co.) offices.
Wilson." (23-13)
And later on....
Received...June 25...1861
To...David Strouse
"That Magnet of ours is played out. It is the one we have
been trying wire with the last two days." (23-481)
There were also jurisdictional disputes, as well....
Received...July 14...1861
From...Ax (Alexandria) To...David Strouse
"AH (McDowell's Office) says that a Lt in the 32nd Regt has
an instrument in circuit and is a Bain operator and has done it
at command of his colonel."
(at bottom page and continuing on the back)
"Col Heintzelman Ax. Some incapable operator unacquainted
with Morse systems at the 32nd Regiment has been interfering
seriously with our tele line for a few days past. Will you please
give orders to have this stopped immedy. AC (Andrew Carnegie)"
(3-1046)
Regional Supervisors, like Thomas B. A. David had to be both
authoritative and a bit tactful when dealing with "undefined
areas of authority."
Brig Gen. Geo. Crook Weston
"I learn that a Lieutenant in Captain McMullins Co. of
Artillery has in his possession a set of telegraph instruments.
I consider it imprudent to allow any other than those belonging
regularly to this Department to be in possession of such
instruments. If it is not by your authority will you please have
them placed in the charge of Mr. G. K. Smith for safe keeping.
T.B.A.David, Asst Supt, Mil Telghs" (40-218)
On the eve of Bull Run battle, Strouse found it necessary to
wire Andrew Carnegie the following warning about an operator who
had apparently fallen from grace....
United States Military Telegraph
Received...July 18 1861
From...Ax (Alexandria) To...AC
"If a young Mr Whittlesey, Opr, asks (for a) pass to Phila,
do not give him one. By his actions on our line he has forfeited
all claim to such a favor. D. Strouse" (20-187)
After the Bull Run disaster, conditions were even more
chaotic for the civilian telegraph operators....
United States Military Telegraph
Received...July 23, 1861
From...Camp Trenton To...DS (David Strouse)
"We have nothing to eat and cant get anything. What shall
we do? Griffin & Thomas"
Scott was prompt to intercede for the youths....
(To:) Gen. McDowell Ax
"Our ops at Camp Trenton, west of Alex say they have nothing
to eat and cannot get anything. Please send them rations as soon
as possible. T. A. Scott." (17-643)
Perhaps as a result of the above plea, the following undated
telegram was sent....
To: Genl Sherman Fort Corcoran
"Operators at camps are generally allowed 30 cents par day
when rations are committed(?) Please make that allowance. Thomas
A. Scott" (17-385)
The following 1861 Ration Supply List indicates the bill of
fare which the young operators shared with the troops in camp,
when such delicacies were actually available!
Barrels of Pork
Pounds of Bacon
Pounds of Ham
Barrels of Flour
Pounds of Hard Bread
Bushels and Quarts of Beans
Pounds of Rice
Pounds of Rio Coffee
Pounds of Java Coffee
Pounds of Tea
Pounds of Brown Sugar
Pounds of White Sugar
Gallons of Vinegar
Pounds of Sperm Candles
Pounds of Adamantine Candles
Pounds of Tallow Candles
Signed: Captain Arnold (2-344)
The telegraphers' civilian status was often a cause for
friction with duty-bound sentries and officers....
United States Military Telegraph
Received...Aug 27...1861
From...Alexandria
To...Wm J. Strong or R. S. Denny, Willards Hotel
"I am arrested here. The Secretary of War having telegraphed
to Gen. Franklin at this place that he had given no passes to cross
the lines. See Cameron at once and have telegraph from McClellan
to Gen Franklin that it is all right and request him to countersign
my pass. H. Kelley" (8-229)
(on back page)
"Mr. Scott will telegraph at once that Mr Kelley has my pass.
Simon Cameron."
Aug 28/61 Gen. W. B. Franklin Alex.
"Mr. Kelley has a pass from the Secretary of War. Thos. A.
Scott." (8-230)
By the end of September, 1861, there were at least a dozen
generals, besides McClellan, who had telegraph offices attached
to their commands. While the following roster is undated, the
fact that General Hancock is included indicates the list post-
dating his September 23rd "official" promotion from Colonel to
Brigadier General....
General Office Call
Heintzelman Un
Franklin S
Stone P
Porter Sy
McDowell AH
Banks F
Hooker B
Smith C
Hancock Hn
McCall SG
Peck MC
Blenker Q
(2-833)
United States Military Telegraph
Received...Oct 28...1861
From...Tennally Town To...R. F. Morley
"I don't understand your message about CH (Fairfax Court
House) office. Please explain. M.C. (McClellan's) Office"
(written below...)
"Mc Office. CH reports main battery very weak for want of
zinc, etc. What is needed to put (it) in proper order? R. F.
Morley." (3-25)
United States Military Telegraph
Received...Nov 1st, 1861
From...(War Dept) To...All Offices
"Pls send by telegh (the) total amt of receipts and expenses
and how incurred for Oct, immedy to make out the payroll. WD
Office." (4-67)
Below were 19 office abbreviations, most one or two letters,
crossed out as having been accounted for. At the bottom is Fort
McHenry, also checked off.
* * *
In his first Annual Report, dated February, 1862, Anson
Stager recorded that about 1,200 miles of line had been
constructed by the U.S.M.T. with 108 offices opened and with
personnel consisting of 163 operators and 51 builders and
messengers.
Following Strouse's untimely death, his successor, William
B. Wilson, sent the following from the War Department dealing
with operator discontent....
To: Operators (at) FC
"The necessities of the service requires Mr. Davin to remain
at PD until Arrangements can be made for his return to FC.
Change of administration in management of (the) line caused some
confusion. You should have been satisfied with (the) message of
a few days since, saying that Mr. Davin would be relieved as soon
as possible. Mr. Eckert has the case under advisement. Wilson"
Sometimes the operators' problems were the result of over-
work, and simple procedural errors, all of which could have
far-reaching and unpleasant consequences...!
Culpeper Court House May 4 (1862?)
"One of you made a serious mistake yesterday in copying the
message I sent you directed to Col. A. S. Taylor, 47 words. You
copied it on two separate headings and failed to put them in one
envelope. The four last words in the message were `out of
Alexandria tonight.' and were on (a) separate heading.
Colonel Taylor thought it was a message in itself and meant
for him to take his whole force from Alexandria, which he did.
He starts back this morning. Look out for squalls, boys. Eckert"
(44-560)
Exposure to combat conditions may have been initially
un-nerving to some of the young operators, as evidenced by the
following....
United States Military Telegraph
Received...May 20, 1862
From...Harpers Ferry To...Col. Stager
"Your two operators, Lawrence and Nail have skedaddled, but
Tyler maintains his ground like a man. Send some other good men
to help Tyler. P. W. Watson Asst. Secy War" (102-190)
Note: Despite Watson's implied charges of Desertion, the two
operators are mentioned in Plum's book as on duty as late as
1864.
The Telegraphic Brotherhood had enduring bonds, in sickness
and in health, and long into the future for many of these young
men. After David Strouse had over-worked himself into a
premature grave, William B. Wilson took over his duties and came
close to an early death himself. Here, he wires from his
Harrisburg home back to Bates at the War Department....
United States Military Telegraph
Received...Nov 27, 1861
From...Harrisburg To...D. Homer Bates
"Have not heard a word from Mr. M since I left Wash. Is
there not a letter for me from him? I am getting better. Good
nurses and slight exercise doing me a great deal of good.
Anything new? 73 to all. W.B.W." (23-66)
(on back of a blank USMT form)
Walleck Indianapolis
"Jno is better. Improving slowly. If he still continues so,
Meynthridge(?) will leave for home on Thursday. Please telegraph
how is family is. Homer Bates"
(at bottom of page)
Jesse (Bunnell) W-
"Will you stay with Jno to night or arrange to have someone
in to do so? Homer" (4-619)
The Kindness of an Operator
From...Dansville... May 12, 1861*
To. Dorrance, Opr Ax (Alexandria)
"Message (of) Saturday was for a poor woman and I paid
tariff to insure answer. Will you be so kind as to give me an
answer charity." Hedges Oper "Z" (57-121)
Note: While on an 1861 USMT form, the May 12 date is probably
from 1862, when stocks of 1861 left-overs were still readily
available.
Plum reports on young Kit Dougherty, who at sixteen,
entered the Corps at East St. Louis' well-named Bloody Island.
While stationed down at Columbia, Tennessee, he sought to
celebrate the Fourth with a patriotic gallop, only to wind up
in bed for ten days. Giving the equine fraternity one more chance,
he again remounted, but outside of town was again thrown for a
loss of yet another week's enforced bed rest.
Again mobile, he left unlucky Columbia by train for
Huntsville in the safe company of Superintendent Bruch. Scarcely
out of town the train was derailed and assaulted by yelling
bushwackers. Eluding a cross-fire between the guerrillas and the
train guards, Bruch and Dougherty escaped back to the relative
safety of Columbia.
While awaiting new travel orders, Dougherty amused himself
by amalgamating some large copper pennies with battery-room
mercury. These he presented as silver half-dollars and exchanged
them for refreshing watermelons and vegetables, for which the
local Secessionist farmers normally charged their Yankee
occupiers whatever the traffic would bear.
On August 27, perhaps before the bogus half-dollars turned
black, Dougherty found himself on the flat-car of a train leaving
Mooresville. His companions were six soldiers and a dozen barrels
of salt pork, providentially arranged around the travelers.
Around mid-afternoon, halfway between Pulaski and Columbia, the
usual derailment and ambush occurred. The now sacrificial pork
took repeated charges of buckshot meant for the passengers, but a
trooper next to Dougherty fell upon him, shot through the head.
Later, he volunteered for a reconnaissance patrol and was again
fired at. Upon returning to the tracks with a wounded prisoner,
they learned that the bridges ahead of and behind them had been
fired by the determined guerrillas. An anxious night was spent
before another train managed to come up, carrying a thousand troops.
Also aboard were cotton bales, which were pressed into service as
improvised bridge pilings.
As this section was now being abandoned, the telegraph line
was destroyed by the simple expedient of fastening every half
mile or so of it to the last car of the train, thereby bringing
down strings of insulators and poles before the heavy iron wire
itself parted.
Dougherty was then sent to General Negley's command, walking
north on the pike. For the trek, the operator donned old clothes
and sent his better ones off to Nashville by train. But whether
intercepted by raiders, or appropriated by baggage thieves, it
was the last he ever saw of them....
Thus, a year and a half had passed, the Brave Young Brass-
pounders had matured even more than their years had advanced.
Some had left on their own, unable or unwilling to adapt to the
physical and emotional rigors of their military service. A few,
like Strouse and Lathrop, were casualties and even fatalities of
this civil war in America. But the spirit of the Brotherhood of
the Telegraph still soared above the squalor and desolation
below, as perhaps illustrated by the following telegram from one
young man to another....
United States Military Telegraph
Received...Oct 30, 1862
From...Hdqrs A.P. To...Jesse Bunnell
Care Geo. Baldwin Balto.
"Will you please buy me a hat same as Caldwell's. Cloth,
round top, size seven and one eighth. Respy, McCandless."
(65-248)
* * *
3700 wrds
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