Civil War Era Letter: A rare example of SIGINT and COMSEC involving exploitation of tactical telecommunications from 145 years ago!
This is one of seven rare Civil War-era letters acquired by the Foundation that significantly increased our understanding of the role signal flag communications played in the Civil War. In this letter, General Robert E. Lee’s Assistant Adjutant General notifies LTG Early, a Corps commander, that the Confederate Signal Corps has “broken” the signal “alphabet” used by the Union Signal Corps for visual “wig-wag” signaling, and can “read their messages with facility.” General Lee suggests Early’s signal men be apprised, adding that” care be taken to conceal that fact, for the enemy does the same thing to the Confederate signals and precautions must be taken to prevent his attaining any information by that means.
The seven letters were purchased in two separate auctions for $7,500.
The Museum staff and History Department researched the history of the letters and prepared them for inclusion in the Civil War era exhibit.