Prior to the outbreak of war they had entered into training with the utmost enthusiasm.  The Navy Department had assigned some of the older vessels to the various naval brigades, to be used as training ships, and with these as headquarters the brigades began drilling.  In addition to the regular routine, summer cruising was taken up.

The First Battalion, New York State Militia, for instance, went in a body to Fisher’s Island, off the eastern end of Connecticut, and there engaged in landing parties, camping, and sham battles.  On another occasion the battalion embarked on board the battleships “Massachusetts” and “Texas,” each militiaman having a regular bluejacket for a running mate, and doing just as he did.  The two ships cruised in the vicinity of Fisher’s Island, and a programme was carried out which included instruction in the different parts of the ship in great guns and ordnance, such drills as abandon ship, arm and away boats, clear ship for action, general quarters, signalling, and in the use of torpedoes.

During one of the cruises of the Massachusetts Naval Brigade a detachment was engaged in locating signal stations on the coast from the New Hampshire State line to Cape Ann, and it was due to the efforts of this detachment that the signal stations established during the late war proved so efficient.

The Naval Militia of Maryland, Louisiana, Illinois, and other States were given opportunities for instruction in the handling of guns, the care of wounded, in infantry drill, limited artillery practice with rapid-fire batteries, and all the details of naval life, and so well did they benefit by it that the authorities at Washington announced a willingness to trust any of the warships in their sole charge.

It was to reach this pinnacle, as it may be termed, that the Naval Militia organizations of the United States had striven, and when they were finally called upon by the Government they proved their worth by boarding modern warships, doing the work of regular sailors, and fighting for their country with a degree of skill and zeal that has earned for them the commendation of their fellow-citizens.

UNITED STATES NAVAL CODE FOR VISUAL SIGNALLING.

To signal with flag or torch “wigwag”: 

There are but one position and three motions.

The position is with the flag held vertically in front of the body; the signalman facing squarely the point to which the message is to be sent.

APPENDIX

The first or 1 is a motion to the right of the sender.

The second or 2 is a motion to the left of the sender.

The third or 3:  the flag is dropped in front of the sender and instantly returned to position.

The entire code is made up of these three motions—­1, 2, and 3.  Every letter begins and ends with position.