This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1904 edition. Excerpt: ...by the operators along the line. In May, with the assistance of a detail from Fort Ringgold of a noncommissioned officer and seven enlisted men, much needed repairs in the northern end of Santa Maria section and southern end of Ringgold section were accomplished. Offices in operation are Laredo, Carrizo, Roma, Fort Ringgold. Santa Maria, and Brownsville, Tex. Laredo and Brownsville offices are furnished with operators by the Western Union Telegraph Company, which also keeps the end sections in repair; this use of the line by that company is under an agreement with the Chief Signal Officer of the Army of July 1. 1896, and saves expense to the Government, while giving satisfactory service. The offices at Carrizo, Roma, Edinburg, and Santa Maria are suboffices of Fort Ringgold; the operators thereat are civilians paid by the Signal Corps, and supply their own offices and the horses-used by them in making repair and inspection trips. Their services have been satisfactory. At Fort Ringgold a first-class sergeant and a corporal are stationed. The people of the section traversed have no other connection with the outside world and appreciate the value of the line. Five civilians are employed on this line and are paid by the Signal Corps a monthly compensation aggregating $160. The operators at Brownsville and Laredo are paid by the Western Union Company. There are stationed in the department seven enlisted men of the Signal Corps, at the following posts: Department headquarters--Two first-class sergeants; one as clerk and one in charge of storeroom, telephone system, etc. Fort Bliss, Tex.--One sergeant, operator. Fort Einggold, Tex.--One first-class sergeant, charge line repairs, and one corporal, operator. Fort Clark, Tex.--One first-class sergeant, ..