Signal Service

In the U. S. army there is one chief signal-officer of the army, with the rank, pay, and emoluments of a brigadier-general, and 400 enlisted men. The chief signal-officer is a isted in his duties by commi ioned officers detailed from the line for that purpose. In war times the Signal Service of the U. S. army is equipped to maintain communications by telegraph, signals, etc., between different sections of an army or armies, or between land and sea forces. The enlisted men are thoroughly drilled in the art of field telegraphy. In peace times the Signal Service has a corps of observers stationed in large towns, and important commercial centres, to give timely warning of the approach of storms, rise of rivers, and all other important weather news for the guidance of merchants and others.