Jesse Merrill-- Part 6: The Signal Service Corps

Jesse Merrill enlisted in Company D, Pennsylvania Volunteers, in the spring of 1861, and received a commission as second lieutenant .  In the fall of the same year, he was detailed for duty in the Signal Service Corps.

When the Signal Corps was organized as a separate branch of the service, he was transferred to from his company with the rank of captain. In January 1862, he was appointed to organize the Signal Service in the Army of the Ohio, and he took command the following year.

By virtue of his position as signal officer, Captain Merrill was on the staff of Generals Buell, Rosecrans and Thomas, and they in succession, commanded the Army of the Ohio, which afterwards became the Army of the Cumberland.

--Old Secesh