Telegraphers During the Civil War

Dave Hochfelder, SUNY Albany

This presentation will explore the experiences of military telegraph operators during the Civil War. Telegraphers with the U.S. Military Telegraph Corps experienced many of the same dangers and hardships as front-line troops. However, the Telegraph Corps was not part of the Army’s chain of command. Telegraphers indulged in legendary feats of drinking and pranks that no military commander would have tolerated.

Dave Hochfelder is an associate professor of history at University at Albany, SUNY. He is the author of “The Telegraph in America: 1832-1920″. Before returning to graduate school for history, he was an electrical engineer in the electric power industry. He is also an Extra Class amateur, callsign N2HTA, though he is not active on the air due to space limitations at home. When he was active, his favorite band and mode was 30 Meters CW. He still does broadcast band and longwave DXing.

Dave will also have copies of his book for sale at the meeting.

SARA meetings are generally held in the Little Theatre of the Niskayuna High School on Balltown Road unless otherwise noted. Attendees should enter the school through the cafeteria entrance located on the side of the school, adjacent to the Nott Street Extension school parking lot.

If Niskayuna High School cancels evening classes and activities, the SARA meeting will normally be cancelled and possibly rescheduled. Listen to the SARA 147.060 repeater for meeting information and whether the meeting will be rescheduled.

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