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| Signal tree-top. |
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somewhat to the rear of the Union main lines, and were a very open trestling, they were yet a conspicuous target for the enemy's long-range guns and mortar-shells.
Sometimes the nerve of the flagman was put to a very severe test, as he stood on the summit of one of these frail structures waving his flag, his situation too like that of Mahomet's coffin, while the Whit-
worth bolts whistled sociably by him, saying, “Where is he?
Where is he?”
or, by another interpretation, “Which one?
Which one?”
Had one of these bolts hit a corner post of the lookout, the chances for the flagman and his lieutenant to reach the earth by a new route would have been favorable, although the engineers who built them claimed that with three posts cut away the tower would still stand.
But, as a matter of fact, I believe no shot ever seriously injured one of the towers, though tons weight of iron must have been hurled at them.
The roof of the Avery House, before Petersburg, was used for a signal station, and the shells of the enemy's guns often tore through below much to the alarm of the signal men above.
Signalling was carried on during an engagement between different parts of the army.
By calling for needed reenforce-ments, or giving news of their approach, or requesting ammunition, or reporting movements of the enemy, or noting the effects of shelling,--in these and a hundred kindred ways the corps made their services invaluable to the troops.
Sometimes signal officers on shore communicated with others
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