Summary:
Union signal Lieutenant Amos Thayer reports on the actions of his command during
August, 1864. He mentions reporting to General Darius Couch in Chambersburg, and
describes camping and equipping his men in the area.
Capt. H. S. TAFFT, Chief Assistant, Signal Bureau:
Greencastle, Pa.,
August 31, 1864.
CAPT.:
I have the honor to make you the following report of the operations of this detachment during the month ending August 31, 1864:
At the date of my last report the greater portion of my detachment were on duty at Harper's Ferry, whilst myself and a small party were temporarily stationed at Emmitsburg, Md. From this point we moved into the Cumberland Valley, by order of Capt. F. E. Town, and opened stations at Greencastle, North Mountain, and Williamsport. These stations remained in operation until August 5, when the parties occupying the two last posts were compelled to abandon them on account of the advance of the enemy to Hagerstown and Williamsport. After the retreat of the enemy across the river I requested and obtained permission to return to my command at Harper's Ferry. Immediately upon my return the whole detachment belonging to this department were relieved from duty and ordered to report to Maj.-Gen. Couch. I reported at headquarters Department of Susqehanna August 11, and for some days thereafter remained in camp near Chambersburg, for the purpose of equipping my men with horses and the necessary clothing. These arrangements being completed, I moved the detachment to this place, and reopened our previous stations. I have signal posts at present at this point, on North Mountain, and near Williamsport, and it is my intention to open another at Fairview as soon as possible. From these points it will be very easy to watch the fords of the upper Potomac, from Falling Waters to Hancock, and to give timely notice of any attempt to cross. I regret very much that the haziness of the atmosphere has embarrassed our operations very much for the fall. During the past month Lieut. Reymer has reported to me for instructions and duty. Good horses have been furnished to the enlisted men, and I have the honor of reporting my detachment as well equipped and instructed as any party with which I ever served.
I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
AMOS M. THAYER,
First Lieut. and Chief Signal Officer.
Bibliographic Information : Letter Reproduced from The War of The Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, Volume 43, Serial No. 90, Pages 973, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
