BIO: Oliver Washington SEES, Dauphin County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, 
Containing Sketches of Representative Citizens, and Many of the 
Early Scotch-Irish and German Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: 
J. M. Runk & Company, 1896, pages 257-258. 
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  SEES, MAJ. OLIVER WASHINGTON, was born in the city of Philadelphia, 
on the 27th of October, 1835.  He was the second son of David Sees and 
Ann Fell Edwards.  His parents had removed from Harrisburg to 
Philadelphia in 1832, but returned to their old home on the 1st day of 
January, 1839.  Oliver Sees did not have the advantages of a liberal 
education.  When quite young, about twelve years of age, he became a 
messenger boy in the first magnetic telegraph office that was opened in 
Harrisburg after the wonderful discovery by Professor Morse, the office 
being under the management of David Brooks.  The latter became very 
much interested in the bright-eyed, youthful messenger, and under his 
special care and teaching Oliver rapidly developed into an operator, 
and finally became one of the most expert and accomplished in the 
business.  He was one of the first to learn to read messages by sound.  
His interest was so great in the success of the laying of the Atlantic 
cable that when the news reached Harrisburg of its final 
accomplishment, he was chiefly instrumental in getting up a very 
enthusiastic demonstration to celebrate that event.  Mr. Sees' 
knowledge and special fitness in his business were so marked that on 
the 23d day of December, 1861, Governor Curtin appointed him chief of 
telegraph, with the rank of major, and shortly afterwards added that of 
chief of transportation, two very important positions during the war.  
The duties of these combined offices he discharged with signal ability 
and entire satisfaction.  In connection with this arduous work the 
General Government intrusted Major Sees with the key to the secret 
service cipher, used in the transmission of the most vital and 
important messages by the General Government in relation to matters at 
that critical period, and which could only be deciphered through a 
knowledge of this key.  About this period he was appointed by Maj. Gen. 
D. N. Couch, who was directing military operations at this point, on 
his staff, and mustered into the United States service.  Immediately 
after the battle of Gettysburg, Governor Curtin ordered Major Sees to 
the battlefield to assist in caring for the dead and wounded 
Pennsylvania soldiers who fell on that memorable occasion, a duty he 
performed well.  On his way back to Harrisburg he was taken very sick 
at Carlisle, and died in this city on the 30th day of September, 1863, 
before he was twenty-eight.
  The following is an extract from the report of Col. M. S. Quay to 
Gov. Andrew G. Curtin.  Colonel Quay was the successor of Major Sees as 
chief of transportation.
  "The invasion of the State, in June, 1863, by the army of General 
Lee, and your call for the militia forces which immediately followed, 
occasioned a large influx of business of pressing importance, which 
occupied the chief of the department, Major Sees, and his clerical 
force for weeks.
  "The United States having assumed the payment of the expenses of the 
transportation of the militia, Major Sees was placed temporarily in 
their service, and assigned a position of the staff of Major General 
Couch, commanding the Department of the Susquehanna.   He was relieved 
by General Couch, at his own request, and was immediately afterwards 
ordered to Gettysburg by you to look after our dead and wounded. 
  "The extraordinary labors he found necessary during this period, 
extending at times through successive days and nights, with the 
exposure and fatigue sustained at Gettysburg, undoubtedly produced 
illness through which your administration lost a faithful and competent 
officer, and his family a husband and father who was their only 
support."
  Major Sees was married to Caroline, daughter of Charles Buehler and 
Sarah Hoover, at Harrisburg, on the 22d day of September, 1857; the 
widow and one daughter, Caroline, survive him.