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The War in America: a night alarm in the Federal camp - signalling from the right bank... 1862. Creator: Unknown
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The War in America: a night alarm in the Federal camp - signalling from the right bank... 1862. Creator: Unknown
The War in America: a night alarm in the Federal camp - signalling from the right bank of the Potomac to head-quarters at Washington, from a sketch by our special artist, 1862. Frequently there are alarms in the Federal camp on the Potomac at night caused by the driving in of the pickets and the appearance in force of the Confederates at different points of the Union lines. On these occasions it is necessary to communicate with the Commander-in-Chief, and to do this expeditiously a new system of signals has been introduced into the Federal army. By day messages are sent from one division to another by the use of differently-coloured flags, thus doing away with the necessity of dispatching mounted troopers with written orders; and by night lamp-torches take their place with the same effect. These signals can be used with an army in motion, the corps attached to the different brigades occupying as they move all elevations or lofty buildings on their route. At the signalman's feet lies a large brass lamp, which is the axis around which the motive light forms its curves - each curve, according to the direction which it takes, signifying a number, the meaning of which number being known only to the officer commanding each corps'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862
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Media ID 35119797
© The Print Collector/Heritage Images
American Civil War Code Communication Dark Darkness Flaming Torch Intelligence Lamp Lamps Military Intelligence Potomac Potomac River River Potomac Signalling Torch Union Army Armed Services Illustrated London News White And Black
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative image captures the tense atmosphere of a night alarm in the Federal camp along the Potomac River during the American Civil War in 1862. The scene depicts soldiers signaling from the right bank of the river to headquarters in Washington, D.C., using a new system of signals that had been introduced into the Federal army. During this period, there were frequent alarms in the Federal camp caused by the Confederates' driving in of pickets or appearing in force at different points of the Union lines. To communicate expeditiously with the Commander-in-Chief during these nighttime incidents, a new signaling system was implemented. By day, messages were sent between divisions using differently-colored flags, eliminating the need for dispatching mounted troopers with written orders. At night, lamp-torches took the place of flags, allowing for effective communication even in the dark. The signalman in this photograph is shown with a large brass lamp at his feet, which serves as the axis around which the motive light forms its curves. Each curve signified a specific number, the meaning of which was known only to the officer commanding each corps. This innovative signaling system proved essential for the Federal army, allowing for efficient communication during times of movement and when elevations or lofty buildings were not available to display flags. The haunting image of soldiers signaling in the darkness, with the flickering light of their torches reflecting off the water, underscores the importance of effective communication and the constant state of readiness during the American Civil War.
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