This replica of the Confederate Code Disc was created by Precision Etchings and Findings Inc of Warwick, Rhode Island to the precise specifications of Donald E. Markle, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

This is a replica of a Confederate Cipher Disk,  the principal coding/decoding system used by the American Confederate government and military. It was based on a centuries old system known as the "Vigenere System" but called the Vicksburg  System by the Confederate States of America.

The cipher disc depicted in the photo is a faithful replica of the original. Only five are known to have survived. One of the original cipher discs was given to the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond VA. by Major Graham Davis who, as assistant adjutant to General S.G. French, used it to encipher
and decipher messages for his commander. Cipher discs were probably made at the request of E.P. Alexander who, in 1861 was ordered to establish a Confederate Signal Corps.

The disk is seen here atop its velvet carrying pouch.

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Contributors and Credits:

1) George Mace  <gmace8(at)comcast.net>
 
 

June 16/08