Telegraph Operator Reenactment
Ohio Valley Civil War Association

     The telegraph was the invention during the Civil War that helped the most people. For the first time generals would be able to control military action over a vast range.  The telegraph was helpful for General McClellan to talk with General Buell in Louisville and General Halleck in St. Louis. This was an advantage for these generals because they could rally  their troops. By being able to talk with this many people over this amount of land they could plan their attacks on the Confederates. One example is when McClellan ordered General Stager to set up a telegraphing system so they could send messages to each other to plan attacks. The telegraph was used in many other ways.  Generals could have access to other generals who set up camp behind them and hooked up a line to theirs. Generals could ask for reinforcements or supplies if needed.  If possible the Generals or armies could have a direct line to the White House to notify the president about recent events or ask for plans to advance the war.

Men in Front of Telegraph Tent
The Civil War Page

     Women played an important role in the war.  Many were used in the fields of battle that required the use of a telegraph  One woman who played a key role was Louisa Volker.  Louisa Volker was one of the first women who became a member of the Military Telegraph Corps in the Union Army.  She was the first woman to do this on the west side of the Mississippi.  She was also the only operator who had ever telegraphed on that side of the river.  The only written report that remains of her work is in Plum's book "The Military Telegraph During the Civil War in the United States."  Volker's telegraphic skills often made her a target when the Confederates raided the town.  One of her greatest accomplishments was in September 1864.  Confederate General Sterling Price's army of 12,000 men planned to take over St. Louis and Jefferson City.  His first target was the town of Pilot Knob because of it's railroad that contained and transported Union supplies and iron works.  Major A.J. Smith and his army of 1,500 men were given the task of defending the railroad.  Louisa Volker was their only telegraph operator in the area.  She operated at her telegraph for two days and nights.  Eventually the attack was repulsed, the track repaired and the train was saved from the Confederates.  She continued to telegraph until she married Thomas Hanlon Macklind and settled down to start a family.  Because of her more women could contribute to the war.

Phoebe (Cornell) Wood, first woman telegrapher
Historical Albion Michigan

     Original Military Telegraph, CSA released by General Lee.
     2 April 1865

     To: MajGenl H. Heth

     Move to the left
     with your whole force
     and endeavor to rees-
     tablish lines - Gordon
     has succeeded in re-
     occupying most of
     this.

     R. E. Lee