Civil War and Civil War era equipment

Here are various pieces of signal equipment from the Civil War or Civil War era. These items round out what might be expected to be carried by a Signal Officer. When doing a Signal Officer Impression one must keep in mind that he was primarily mounted on horseback. However, his equipment would also travel with him and his signal party with horse drawn or mule drawn wagons being the normal mode. Photos show wall tents and Sibley tentage. The final encampment was made up of all wall tents. The evidence from one record of the battle of Stones River clearly showed that everything from tentage to rations and the cooking utinsels traveled with the signal party. They were very much on their own in most cases. However, the signal officer could be expected to fall in with his tentage along the Brigade or Division or Corps headquarter's tents and never seem out of place. In short, the image of the signal officer and his party living the Spartan lifestyle was not always the case. This was also true of the telegraph operators with the USMT although they truly moved with the Division or Corps headquarters and did not bother with having their own equipment aside from their telegraph instruments and battery wagons. Their home was, more often than not, a farmhouse or one of the staff tents.

Materials carried by a Signal Officer or Signal Sergeant
Click on each image to see a larger image.

	Marine Glasses These period marine glasses are marked "U.S. Signal" and do not have the "made in" mark in either English or French. Most certainly period. Good choice for use in the field when you want good authenticity. Part of the leather has been replaced. Marine glasses of the period did not magnify much. They were mainly used to scan the countryside. Work done by this unit at Gettysburg proved that they were very good over the entire battlefield and that they could do good work nine miles away at South Mountain to Little Round Top under perfect conditions.
	This is another view of the same marine glasses. Note the absence of the strap tabs which came later according to some experts.
	This set of marine glasses are marked U.S. Signal and did not have leather on the sun shield. Leather missing from the barrels. No "made in" marks, no tabs for straps. Serial number indicates that it was most likely used in the Eastern army. Serial numbers were not added to marine glasses or telescopes (officially) until after September 1864 when Lieutenant Cushing requested, at the "order" of the Chief Signal Officer (in "exile") to the "official" CSO in Georgetown that such items be marked with a serial number to prevent loss to non-signal units. This would have been done in the East where the siege operation underway would have allowed such actions. No such action would have, most likely, been taken by Sherman's army. Not in "communication" and not likely to consider it even.
	Signal Service Markings These marine glasses are marked "U.S. Signal Service". Common wisdom states that they are, therefore, absolutley post Civil War. However, the Quartermaster Corps was issuing such items to the "Signal Service" during the war. In any case. few, if any such marine glasses were bought following the war until the SpanAm war. Existing stocks were used. So, take your pick: 1) Quartermaster issue during the war or 2) issue to the Signal Service after the war from existing Civil War stock. No "made in", no side tabs, Japoned sun shield and leather barrels. Very low magnification. Marked Day and Night on second barrel.
	Another view of the above glasses.
	Side Tab Models These marine glasses have side tabs. According to experts, this certainly dates them post Civil War and NOT from Civil War stocks. Possibly Circa SpanAm War. However, these models are pretty close and fairly inexpensive to find. Sutlers sell these as "Civil War Period". Look, these would make pretty good field signal glasses for a signal impression. If you get them cheap, great.
	Pistol Bullet Mold The Signal Officer would have carried a pistol and thus a bullet mold. This period mold is typical
	Musket Tool The Signal Enlisted had Muskets. They or the senior Sergeant would have carried such a tool.
	Yet another mustket tool that might have been carried.
	The Oil Can The senior Sergeant would have carried an oil can for the pieces and also for the Beardslee telegraph. This would be a very light oil.
	Medicines and Camphor Various small bottles of compounds for sore muscles, for man and horse alike were common items
	Pistol Caps The Signal Officer would carry pistol caps in a tin or a least have them issued that way
	Identification Disk Both the officer and the enlisted men would have some sort of Identification disk on their person. These were sold by sutlers.
	Copper Canteen This is not an issue turpentine canteen. It is a miner's canteen made of copper. While not authentic issue, it was not unknown during the period. If you cannot find a large one gallon copper canteen this one makes a pretty good "sparkless" canteen for your turpentine. Do not use benzine (burns too hot) or Kerosene (will not cut through the fog) gasoline (will explode and take you with it) mineral spirits or any of the solvents available. Torch oil will not be very bright but is safe enough. But, nothing burns with the yellow flame like turpentine and nothing makes the same sound or smells the same. Major Myer tried them all and decided that in spite of the Carolinas being the only real source for turpentine, nothing else would do. Feel free to use this kind of canteen, but just do not think it was issue.
	Picket Signal Lantern This is a picket signal lantern or boat lantern. It was used on picket duty at specific stations. This is candle fired and has a spring that feeds the candle as it burns. The candle width is slightly larger than today's candles but is the same size as the period candle molds. The lens throws a very good beam and can be used like a modern flashlight. It's light can be seen for several miles or more on a good night. The yellow light passes through fog very well. Kerosene versions of this type of lantern are fairly common and can be used for signaling. Rotating the lens left or right opens and closes the opening to the candle. Other versions have shutters. This dates earlier than those. Kerosene was available from just before the Civil War. Drake's wells in Pennsylvania opened up more of the product than was had from "skimming" leaked oil from ponds. However, it was expensive and did not find a place in Army stores as a common item.
	Ink Pots The Signal officer was expected to keep a record of communications as well as a journal. These ink pots are dug pots from Vicksburg and Georgia. These are readily available either as dug or reproductions from sutlers (the one in the rear is reproduction). Very common item in the excavated sinks. Get corks. Good black ink and a couple good pens with steel nibs. Learn to write well with them.
	Signal Telescope This telescope is an acceptable period telescope. It has three moveable pulls for a total of four. It is about 32 inches long. It has just under a two inch diameter lens. This is not an issue telescope (or so we think). But, it is a very good one for field use. It actually saw service. The use of a tripod was discouraged by Myer who prefered that the telescopes be sandbagged, tied or bolted to a tree or some such. Rigidness was important during glass watch. Failure to acknowledge a signal within a half hour or less was a severe breach of the rules. The officer of detailed enlisted would have to observe the distant signal station without a break during their watch. One did not just hold the telescope up and scan the horizon like some movie pirate captain. In practice, the marine glasses may have been used to determine if the other station was flagging and then the telescope was used to read the signals. But that is purely conjecture based on only knowledge of the equipment and human nature.
	Musket Cartridges The enlisted would carry musket balls as cartridges. These were issued in packages of ten with twelve caps rolled in a tube
	Bone Dice These dug bone dice are typical of the small dice that would have been carried by the enlisted to pass the hours. Very popular
	Confederate Cipher This Confederate Ciper Wheel would not have been part of the equipment used by the Federals. But, if you are doing a Confederate impression, this reel from Don Markle of Gettysburg would be a nice thing to have available.
	Clay Pipes These dug pipes or calumets are typical of those used by the enlisted men (Vicksburg sink dig).
	Pocket Grammer The need to read and write clearly was established very early as one of the main critera for the selection and promotion of a Signal Officer, Sergeant or Private. The small primer's of the time would have been a very popular item for the soldier looking for an appointment or promotion. The small groups of men who worked together would most certainly help each other with their grammer and penmanship. The fifth or sixth grade level was deemed about right for the enlisted.
	Pocket Bible This soldier's bible was a common item in the pocket or haversack. Reading out loud was a past time that we do not understand well today. However, it was a primary means of entertainment, moral education and learning.