war codes
speed...@aol.com
Does anyone out there have info or can direct me toward info on codes or
types of encryption used during the civil war? These can be codes used by
either side. The name and author of any reference book you might know of
would be greatly appreciated.
Jamie Adams
speed...@aol.com wrote:
There was an article, featuring a code wheel on the cover, in a recent
(since 1994) issue of Civil War Times Illustrated.
I would look in several books about spies or the military telegraph or
the signal service to see what they say. I won't quote titles because
I don't recall, for sure, what I read, where.
_The Codebreakers_ by David Kahn (1967) claims to be a comprehensive
history of secret communications. It has a couple of chapters
dealing with the ACW.
Joel Craig
On 23 Nov 1996 18:49:25 GMT, speed...@aol.com wrote:
>Does anyone out there have info or can direct me toward info on codes or
>types of encryption used during the civil war? These can be codes used by
>either side. The name and author of any reference book you might know of
>would be greatly appreciated.
The August 1995 edition of Civil War Times Illustrated has a cover
story on this subject.
Chris Raper
For those of us who don't subscribe would someone be willing to post a
summary of the information? Or direct me towards a suitable web page?
I am interested in the subject of ACW codes but I live in the UK so
getting hold of a back-issue would be tricky.
TIA
Chris R.
Axel Kleiboemer
trio...@dial.pipex.com (Chris Raper) wrote:
>TIA
>Chris R.
Gentlemen,
I recommend Kahn, David: The Codebreakers, Macmillan Pub.Co. 1967.
LCCC;: 63-16109. Particularly, Chapter 7, "Crisis of the Union", some
20 pages long is very informative.
Very difficult to summarize since much of the info requires reading of
previous chapters or seeing diagrams. And reading subsequent chapters.
The book is almost 1200 pages. There is a pocket book version, only
about 300 pages, very entertaining but not informative.
A good library in GB, should have a copy.
This book is a classic in the sense that it examines all manner of
encryption and decryption, including the one-time-pad, until
automatic teller machines , pc's, Netscape and all began to outpace
the encryption and decryption ability of government agencies.
Hope this helps, Axel
James F. Chumbley
re: your posting on codes during the War Between The States:
speed...@aol.com wrote in article
<19961123185...@ladder01.news.aol.com>...
> Does anyone out there have info or can direct me toward info on codes or
> types of encryption used during the civil war? These can be codes used by
> either side. The name and author of any reference book you might know of
> would be greatly appreciated.
>
I recommend:
The Signal and Secret Service of the Confederate States
by Dr. Charles E. Taylor, 1903
It has been reprinted by:
Daniel Carroll Toomey
Toomey Press
P.O. Box 143
Harmans, Maryland 21007
Although this is thin, it is filled with diamonds.
Regards,
Jim Chumbley
Amateur Radio Station, N6UF
The Confederate Signal Corps