Signal Mountain in Hamilton County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Civil War Signaling
—With flags and torches, signalmen passed the word —
Messages relayed here from Bridgeport were flashed to Stringers Ridge (upriver to your left) and then on to Cameron Hill in the city. By this means, the Federals received news of reinforcements and supplies coming to their relief. When the siege was broken in late October, the signal stations diminished in importance.
The U.S. Army Signal Corps, established during the Civil War, operated the stations. Signals were sent by waving square flags or torches. Flag-waving patterns represented numbers. By using secret codes, number combinations could be translated into letters to form words. Observers used telescopes and binoculars for long-range viewing.
Erected by Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park.
Location. 35° 7.172′ N, 85° 22.012′ W. Marker is in Signal Mountain, Tennessee, in Hamilton County. Marker can be reached from Signal Point Road west of Flint Street. Touch for map
. This historical marker is located at the end of Signal Point Road, in Signal Point Park, at the end of the trail that leads to the park's overlook of the Tennessee River Valley. Marker is in this post office area: Signal Mountain TN 37377, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Boats on the Tennessee (a few steps from this marker); Attack at Suck Creek (approx. 0.7 miles away); Williams' Island (approx. 3.3 miles away); Stringer's Ridge (was approx. 4.1 miles away but has been reported missing. ); Sherman's Hideout (approx. 4.2 miles away); Wilder's Artillery Position (approx. 4.2 miles away); Red Bank Veteran's Memorial (approx. 4.4 miles away); Chattanooga High School (approx. 4.6 miles away).
Categories. • War, US Civil •
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on September 27, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 544 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on September 27, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 10, 11. submitted on August 9, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee.