Signal Corps

Although, as has been shown, the Signal Service was in active and useful operation on several theatres of war, in the East in 1861, and early in 1862 in the West, it was not until April 19th, 1862, that the act was approved organizing the Signal Corps as a distinct branch of the Confederate Army, and the Secretary of War was authorized to establish it as a separate Corps or to attach it to the Adjutant and Inspector's Department or to the Engineer Corps. The Secretary decided to attach it to the Adjutant and Inspector-General's Department, and May 29th, 1862, was issued General Orders No. 40, A. & I. G. O., creating the Signal Bureau, with Major William Norris, of General Magruder's staff, as the head of it.

No uniform was prescribed for the Signal Corps. The officers wore the uniform of the general staff of the same grade, and the detailed men wore that of the arm of the service to which they belonged, and on the rolls of which they were borne as detailed men.

The Signal Corps, as organized, consisted of: one Major Commanding, ten Captains, ten 1st Lieutenants, ten 2nd Lieutenants and twenty Sergeants. There were no privates, as men were detailed from the line of the army whenever wanted, and when their services were no longer required they returned to their respective commands. The detailed men in all the various branches of the service numbered about fifteen hundred, and it was a remarkable fact, that while these men were often employed in independent service, and were in possession of important secrets, not one of them ever deserted or betrayed his trust. All the detailed men were instructed in the cipher system, and entrusted with the key-word.

The Signal Corps also operated the Confederate Secret Service as a branch of the Signal Corps. Colonel Norris said: "We have accredited agents constantly in New York, Baltimore, and Washington. These agents are gentlemen of high social position, who, without compensation, have voluntarily devoted their time and energies to this work. There is no secret service fund beyond the mere pay, rations, and clothing of the officers and detailed men engaged in them. When secret information is received, it is transmitted to the Secretary of War, to General Bragg, and the general whose army or department is supposed to be immediately affected thereby; when it comes, as is generally the case, under cover, sealed and directed to a particular general, it is forwarded accordingly. For prudential reasons no record of such communications is kept in this office, except in cipher."

Major Norris was promoted to Colonel in April 1865 and became the Commissioner of Prisoner Exchange.

Confederate Signal Corps Organization

Adjutant and Inspector General Department

General Samuel Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector General.

Signal Corps & Secret-Service Bureau

Major William Norris, Bureau Chief

Big. Gen. Edward Porter Alexander

Co-developed Wig-Wag communication system

with Albert J. Meyer, USA. First Confederate

Signal Officer, attached to Gen. P. G. T.

Beauregard's staff. Resigned to become Chief

of Artillery.