- Thread starter
- #31
digitS'
Garden Master
Telegraph wires ....
I knew that telegraph lines followed rail lines as they were built. The railroad companies used the telegraph for necessary communication. Since railroads began, for the most part, in the 1840's. Samuel Morse with his "code" - 1838. I figured they happened at the same time. Well, yeah. But, the builders of the railroads must have put in the wires AS they were building and even before. Makes sense.
General O. O. Howard, in pursuit of the Nez Perce in August 1877, notified Colonel John Gibbon in Montana by telegraph to stop the Nez Perce before they could reach Canada. Not entirely successful, the troops delayed the Indians on the Big Hole River long enough that the combined forces with Howard could force the surrender, 40 miles south of the Canadian border.
They had crossed the Continental Divide during the pursuit. The first tracks were not laid over the Continental Divide in Montana until May, 1880. Wow, nearly 3 years before the railroad even reached the pass over the Rocky Mountains - the military was using the telegraph to coordinate operations against the Nez Perce.
Steve
Chief Joseph and John Gibbon
I knew that telegraph lines followed rail lines as they were built. The railroad companies used the telegraph for necessary communication. Since railroads began, for the most part, in the 1840's. Samuel Morse with his "code" - 1838. I figured they happened at the same time. Well, yeah. But, the builders of the railroads must have put in the wires AS they were building and even before. Makes sense.
General O. O. Howard, in pursuit of the Nez Perce in August 1877, notified Colonel John Gibbon in Montana by telegraph to stop the Nez Perce before they could reach Canada. Not entirely successful, the troops delayed the Indians on the Big Hole River long enough that the combined forces with Howard could force the surrender, 40 miles south of the Canadian border.
They had crossed the Continental Divide during the pursuit. The first tracks were not laid over the Continental Divide in Montana until May, 1880. Wow, nearly 3 years before the railroad even reached the pass over the Rocky Mountains - the military was using the telegraph to coordinate operations against the Nez Perce.
Steve
Chief Joseph and John Gibbon
