Telegraph History

The United States proved to be an innovative nation when its own Samuel Morse devised an alphabet system for electrical telegraphs in order to relay signals. The alphabet, aptly named Morse code, has been in use for well over a century and is still used on occasion today (Morse Historic Site). Claude Chappe of France was one of the first to experiment with the telegraph. He designed the semaphore telegraph in 1793, which was a simple mechanical device located above a tower. Across a large beam on each end were 2 wings, each holding a separate flag. This instrument was used as a visual signal to relay messages quickly and efficiently through the country (Jones). By 1837 Samuel Morse, an American and artist, began to independently develop the electromagnetic telegraph under the false pretense that the invention was new. Working in New York University he successfully developed a prototype and subsequently patented it in the hopes of receiving funding. At first many of his potential sponsors did not believe that electrical communication could occur from city to city, but finally Morse received funding from the US Congress and built the first electromagnetic telegraph line from Baltimore to Washington D.C. (Morse Historic Site) This invention revolutionized telecommunications in the United States and allowed for quick contact for the president with the military and other important resources.

Having been invented over a decade before the Civil War, the electromagnetic telegraph proved to be a decisive tool for the Americans and especially for the north. At first many military officials were skeptical of implementing technological advances such as the telegraph, into military use. The classically trained minds of those at WestPoint and elsewhere relied more on traditional tactics of warfare and so no real advantage in using new gadgets was sought. However, increasing pressure from inventors and businessmen saw the eventual implementation of many devices during the civil war, including the telegraph. Both the Union and the Confederacy saw hundreds of proposals for military technology from inventors, though the south was more inclined to actually try them, due to their rising disadvantage to the north. The apparent use of modern technology during the Civil War is why many historians today consider it to be the first real modern war (Aeragon).

Once the Civil War began after rising tension in response to the 1860 election results, the telegraph proved to be the most important communications tool. The telegraph was used almost immediately at the start to report battle information. In addition, the telegraph was used in transferring intelligence information, thereby allowing armies to quickly react or counter another army preparing to attack (Aeragon). The phenomenon of instant communication enabled commanders and generals to almost instantly move on the basis of information of which was sent in minutes versus a horseback messenger. Due to its widespread use, over 15,000 miles of telegraph line was established specifically for military use. Similarly to Claude Chappe, the first innovator of the telegraph, they also utilized hundreds of towers to relay semaphore messages in conjunction with the already established electromagnetic telegraph system (Aeragon).

The sheer amount of telegrams sent by Lincoln alone demonstrates the vast importance of this new technology, of which over 1000 messages were sent during his presidency (Wheeler). This number gives perspective to the importance of the telegraph. Next to the railroad, the telegraph may have been arguably the most important technology during the Civil War. The United States government went from horseman messengers to the electromagnetic telegraph, which by comparison, is infinitely superior. If anything, the introduction of the telegraph saw the beginning of the telecommunications age and a closely connected world as international telegraph lines were eventually constructed.

Without the telegraph, it could be argued that the Civil War may have actually continued longer than it did. In May of 1864, Ulysses S. Grant operated out of Virginia coordinating Sherman in Georgia, Sigel in West Virginia, Meade in Virginia, and Butler on the James River. He issued both specific orders to different divisions as well large orders directed at entire armies in order to both manage and micromanage the military to its greatest advantage. In reacting to the war so quickly and precisely, Grant prevented the reinforcement of General Robert E. Lee's army and thus, allowed for the Civil War to draw to a conclusion much sooner. Sherman himself said that the telegraph allowed the Union armies in both Virginia and Georgia to adapt accordingly to the changing conditions of the battlefield and thus, defeat the Confederacy (Weeks).

While the north did have major advantages against the south, the introduction and implementation of the telegraph before and during the Civil War proved to be most valuable for the Union. Despite its unfamiliarity with military leaders, the telegraph made its way into the US military and was subsequently used effectively. The telegraph was implemented right at the start of the Civil War given its many benefits. Lincoln himself sent over 1000 telegrams and acted as a model for future presidents in using technology for the betterment of American society. Without this innovative tool, the Civil War would have most likely lasted longer, causing a far greater number of casualties to what was already and still is the bloodiest American war. The electromagnetic telegraph, independently developed by Samuel Morse, was a revolutionary technology that set the path for modern warfare and telecommunications in the United States and the world.

Works Cited

"First Modern War." Aeragon. 14 December 2006 http://www.aeragon.com/03/

"Samuel F. B. Morse". Morse Historic Site. 14 December 2006 http://www.morsehistoricsite.org/history/morse.html

Jones, Victor. "Chappe Telegraph System." Harvard. 14 December 2006 http://people.deas.harvard.edu/~jones/cscie129/images/history/chappe.html

Weeks, Dick. "The Civil War Military Telegraphy Service." Shotgun's Home of the American Civil War. 14 December 2006 http://www.civilwarhome.com/telegraph.htm

Wheeler, Tom. "How the Telegraph Helped Lincoln Win the Civil War." History News Network. 14 December 2006 http://hnn.us/articles/30860.html

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