To understand the practical use of signals of three elements, devise, by preceding rules, an alphabet of three elements. This we know would be, for instance, as follows:
A is "one-one-one." (*)
B is "one-one-two." (*)
C is "one-one-three." (*)
D is "one-two-one;" (*)
and so on, twenty-six combination of "ones," and "twos," and "threes."
An advantage of signals of three elements is that, the letters of the alphabet may be represented, using three signals for each letter, no more or less. It is thus possible always to tell when each letter has been completed. For field use, "one, two, and three," the components of the combinations, may be the position of the arm of a man. A disc [may be] held in the hand to make the signal more plainly visible. There are one position and three motions.
First Posistion ---the [hand or] disc laid on the breast.
First Motion --- to make "one," raise the [hand or] disc to the right and above the head, the arm extended obliquely upwards: return to first position.
Second Motion --- to make "two," carry the arm out horizontally at the height of the shoulder: return to first position.
Third Motion--- to make a "three," carry the arm down obliquely: return to first position.
In making a letter, the different motions should be made, one after the other, with scarcely perceptible pauses between them. Thus to make "one-two-three" [123], or [F]---make the first motion then the second motion, then the third motion. To make "two-one" (112), or [B], make the first motion, then the first motion [twice. Followed by the second motion.] To make "two-two-three" (223), or [O], make the second motion twice, and then the third motion. To make "one-three-two" (132), or [H], make the first motion, then the third motion, then the second motion; and so on. A brief pause of time marks the interval between the letters. Of course the disc can be used as well with the left as the right hand, the general rules for the motion being the same.
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(**) Or, a flag may be used;
First Position the flag held vertically above the head.
First Motion---flag waved to the ground to the right: resume first position.
Second Motion---flag waved to the ground in front: resume first position.
Third Motion---flag waved to the ground on the left: resume first position.
To make "one-two-three"(123), or [F], wave of the flag once to the ground on the left, once to the ground on the right, and once to the ground in the front: resume the first position.
To make "two-two-three" (223), or [O], wave the flag twice to the right, and once to the front: resume the first position: and so on for any combinations.
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Of course the three motions or positions just described, can be made with guns, or branches, or flags, or any things which can be held and moved by the hands to make them more distinct. Or any three things, as a cap, coat, or a handkerchief, may be numbered, as "one," as "two," as "three," and hoisted on halyards, being first properly arranged to indicate the letter-combinations. Or, any three things, a barrel, a basket, and a pail, may be shown, properly arranged on a pole, to indicate any letter or numeral. Or three strips of different-colored cloth may be run up on halyards. Or three men may be stood together in view: one with his coat on for "one," one with his coat off for "two," and one with his coat half off for "three;" each to throw up this arms whenever the number he stands for is called. Any combination of "threes" may be made in
this manner.
With the standard signal equipment, the foot-light and flying light lighted, the foot-light placed at the feet as a point of reference, and the flying-light used to make the motions in the same general style as with the flag above described; these signals, used at night, are very distinct and beautiful. They are not so useful for day signals; for the motion of the flag to the front, as it turns edgewise to the observer, is not, visible at long distances.
Or, at night with one fixed lantern or light, another may be moved in any three directions about it.
First Position.---two lights held together.(READY)
First Motion,---move moving-light horizontally to the left, (ONE): and return to first position.
Second Motion,---move moving-light horizontally to the right (TWO): and return to first position.
Third Motion,---move moving-light vertically upwards, (THREE): and return to first position.
Or, these signals may be made with flashes of light of any three colors, as from the flashing signal lantern, before described.
To make "one," press the handle one---a white flash. To make "two," press the handle two---a red flash. To make "three" press the handle three---a green flash.
When these signals are made with this lantern, each letter of the alphabet ought to consist of three signals.
Or, with common lanterns be shown, by flashing them from buckets, or over the side of a boat. There may be used a plain lantern to make "ones," a lantern covered with red bunting to make
"twos," and a lantern covered green bunting to make "threes." It is generally more convenient to use two plain lanterns, making the signals by motion. Or, a single lantern may be used when
it is necessary, flashing it once for "one," twice for "two," and three times for "three".
Very many plans for pyrotechnic signals, in which are used white, red, and green colored fires, are signals of three elements. The number of messages which can be sent by codes arranged for combinations of three fires, flashed one after another on a plan, or burned in cases, or thrown into the air, as balls from a roman candle, can thus be traced.
Signals of three elements, tough not of infinite application, and so always available as those of two elements, are capable of many beautiful uses. A thorough knowledge of them should be gained, and every signalist ought to practice the code at times. Examples may be multiplied by ingenuity; but with illustrations already given they are not necessary.
(*) Modified from 1864 manual which read:
A is "one-two-three."
B is "two-one."
C is "two-two-three."
D is "one-three-two;"
and so on, twenty-six combination of "ones," and "twos," and "threes."
This was done within the manual in order to explain the how the system worked,
without disclosing the actual code used.
(**) Modified from 1864 manual which read:
Or, a flag may be used;
First Position the flag held vertically above the head.
First Motion---flag waved to the ground to the right: resume first position.
Second Motion---flag waved to the ground in front: resume first position.
Third Motion---flag waved to the ground on the left: resume first position.
This was done in order to avoid confusion among those utilizing this system for living history.
Researchers should note that the flag motions for the three element were as discribed here,
which are different from those of the two element.
