Cracking the Code

Battlefield communication in the Civil War was a mess!  Imagine yelling orders over the chaos of battle, with messages getting lost or misinterpreted.  Soldiers used horseback riders, flags, and even early telegraphs, but these methods were slow, unreliable, or limited by weather.  The Battle of Gettysburg is a famous example of how communication problems can cost a battle.

This article explores the crazy world of Civil War communication and how it impacted battles like Gettysburg.  Want to test your skills?  Check out your local museum or try a Civil War escape room to see if you can crack the code!