GDG- Capt. Norton and the Signal Corps

[Tom Ryan]

To continue with the subject of the Union Signal Corps at Gettysburg, it
should be noted that Capt. Lemuel Norton was new to the job -- only having
taken over as chief signal officer a few days prior to the Battle of
Gettysburg.  This occurred because John Mosby and his rangers had captured
Norton's predecessor, Capt. Benjamin Fisher, behind Union lines while the
AoP was still south of the Potomac.

So as Fisher was on his way to a prison in Richmond, Norton had to step up
and perform as the new man in charge.  So if things did not go as smoothly
as desired at the outset, we probably need to cut Norton some slack.  All in
all, the SC performed in an outstanding manner during the battle and later
the pursuit of Lee's armyrds.  It is hard to say whether credit is due for
this to Norton's leadership or the experience and independent-mindedness of
the men serving in the Signal Corps.

Either way, General Meade and the AoP benefited from the information and
communications support provided by the SC throughout the Gettysburg
Campaign.

Tom