GDG- Capt. Norton and the Signal Corps

[jack]

Geat story.Regards,

Jack
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom Ryan" <pennmardel at mchsi.com>
To: "GDG" <gettysburg at gdg.org>
Sent: Friday, May 25, 2007 3:28 PM
Subject: GDG- Capt. Norton and the Signal Corps


> Esteemed GDG Member Contributes:
>
>
> 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
>
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