Union Army Cipher
Union Army Cipher
Union Army Cipher
Union Army Cipher

Union Army Cipher

  • Made in the U.S.A.
  • Precision laser engraved wood
  • 4 1/4 inches diameter
  • This famous cipher was used for message encryption by the Union Army during the American Civil War (1861-1865). It was primarily a system used for flag signals where there was a line of sight, or for encrypted morse code messages.

    The letters A.J.M. on the disk are for the inventor and Chief Signal Officer of the Union Army, Albert J Myer. His system was called Flag Telegraphy or "Wigwag".

    Each disk has a unique serial number as was used in the original wheels.  Featuring National Archives branding on the back, the packaging includes instructions.

  • The National Archives' cartographic section contains approximately 8,000 Civil War maps, including both manuscript and printed maps and plans. The manuscript maps include pencil sketches and original pen-and-ink drawings as well as processed maps with annotations in ink or pencil. Many of the Civil War manuscript maps and drawings are unique to the National Archives, while a variety of the printed maps are more common and can be found in other large repositories such as the Library of Congress.