The .sv,/,,,// N, roice fjbrp*. 131
whose merits have won the admiration of all nations ? I can also add that members of the Signal Corps, although only detailed men, were held in such esteem that to them were always extended the honors due to commissioned officers. Thrown, however, in daily in- tercourse with my brother survivors of the " Lost Cause," I cannot but recognize the fact that by many of those, who, with musket on shoulder or sabre by side, bore the heat and burden of many a hard fought battle, we are classed among those non-combatants, who, occupying what were termed "bomb-proof" positions, would now pose as veterans, and how can I better use the limited space of time allotted to me than by bringing to your attention certain facts that may tend to remove that erroneous impression ?
The members of the Signal Corps, like those of all other com- mands, were assigned to duty at the various stations at which their services would be most valuable, some comparatively free from dan- ger, while others were exposed and dangerous, that a term of service thereat, by any soldier, can be looked on as a certificate of bravery.
You have passed a highly merited eulogy on our lamented Com- rade Thomas Huguenin, whose highest honor is that he commanded at Fort Sumter, but let me call to your attention the fact that three members of the Signal Corps were constantly there on duty, sharing not only the dangers and trials of Huguenin, but also of Rhett, El- liott, Harleston, Mitchell and of all those other heroes who there did serve, and of whose records we, as brother soldiers, are so proud.
"FORT SUMTER STILL HOLDS OUT."
By their side the signal officer stood, and beneath crumbling wall and the midst of bursting shells, with flag in hand by day and torch by night, they sent to this seemingly doomed city the glad tidings: " Fort Sumpter still holds out." When you honor the memories of those heroes, who for their country, gave up their lives, forget not the brave boy Huger, who, upon her ramparts, shed his life >lood, as nobly performing his duty to his country and as willingly giving his life to the cause as anyone of them all.
Are there any whom you hold in higher esteem than the officers and men of the navy ? Do not forget the fact that two members of the Signal Corps, stationed on each iron-clad, stood ready at all times to share the dangers of the gallant Ingraham, Tucker and their men.
Again, on Morris Island we find the Signal Corps, and on them
