Signal Corps

grades

4, 5, 6

subjects

home economics, language arts, math, U.S. history

time allotted

30 minutes for general lesson, one or two days to sew flags

setting

classroom and Stones River National Battlefield

group size

no limit

skills

cooperation, communication, analysis and application, writing, sewing

methods

students will design and create signal corps flags and cipher discs.

materials

see instructions for making a cipher disc and sewing signal flags.

keywords

cipher
wigwag

Objectives
At the end of this activity, students will be able to:

	Understand the role of the signal corps during the Civil War.
	Demonstrate the technique of wigwag used by the signal corps.
	Send and decipher a coded message using the cipher disc and wigwag technique.

Background Information
The Civil War was the first war to use a system of flag waving signals for long distance communication. Major Albert J. Meyer created the system used by both armies. The idea evolved from his 1851 doctoral dissertation “A New Sign Language for Deaf Mutes.” By 1859, Major Meyer and his assistants began experimenting with basic equipment and details for his communication system. With the coming of the Civil War, he organized a corps of signalers for the Union. Some four hundred officers and twenty-five hundred men served at one time or another. Confederates organized under a former assistant, E. P. Alexander, and were attached to the Adjutant General’s Department to handle signaling, telegraphy and secret service work. About fifteen hundred men served in the various branches.

Signal flags came in three different colors to use against a variety of backgrounds. One flag was white with a red square in the center. Another was black, which could be seen well in snow. The final was red with a white square in the center. Torches were used at night. Messages are sent by waving the flag or torch down to the left and back (ONE) or down to the right and up (TWO) and a dip in front (THREE). This system is known as wigwag and different combinations stand for letters, words, or numbers (see charts).

Messages are seldom sent “in the clear” because the enemy can easily decipher them. A cipher disc has two discs with letters and numbers around the edges and by turning one disc the cipher is changed. Therefore, in cipher, every letter “in the clear” stands for another letter, symbol even an entire message. Ciphers are changed often because each side works hard at interpreting the enemy’s messages.

Signal posts were dangerous because they were exposed to enemy fire. Stations were on high points of land or if not available, tall wooden platforms were built. Each station operated day and night with alert men using powerful telescopes. After the Battle of Stones River, General Rosecrans established signal stations throughout Rutherford County. The courthouse cupola in Murfreesboro was the central station with outposts at Lavergne, Triune and Pilot Knob (eight miles to the east). A large elm tree was chosen for a platform at Pilot Knob and the signals sent to the courthouse became a familiar site. It remained a signal station until the end of the war.

Activities

	Discuss with students how they communicate long distance today. For example, telephone and computers.
	How might a modern soldier communicate out in the field?
	Next ask students how a civil war soldier communicated long distance information. Discuss answers.
	Explain the role and duties of the signal corps using the background information.
	Discuss the importance of coded messages and hand out instructions and materials for making a cipher disc.
	Review sewing instructions and safety procedures.
	Once flags are complete, divide students into groups so they can demonstrate the wigwag system and decipher messages with their cipher discs.
	view wigwag codes
	view the Signal Flag sewing instructions
	view the Cipher discs instrucitons
	download a PDF of this lesson

Follow-up Activities

	Present Your Colors lesson plan
	Participate in Ranger Education Program at Stones River National Battlefield.
	Research and discuss the telegraph system used during the Civil War.

Resources
Coggins, Jack, Arms and Equipment of the Civil War. Doubleday and Company, Inc. Garden City, NY.

Manasco, Clifford G., Signal Corps Camp of Instruction Manual. United States Army Signal Corps Museum Publication.

Natural Resources

Cultural Resources

The Battle of
Stones River

Related Resources