The Crimean War: The First War Reported by Wire The Crimean War married the telegraph to the army and the newspaper to the front. This guide traces the cables, the correspondents and the consequences. Quick facts Cable Varna to Balaclava Length ~550 km undersea Correspondent Russell of The Times Command effect same-day orders Verdict first wired war Ministers discovered they could supervise a siege from their desks, and generals discovered the wire supervised back. The alliance of cable, key and printing press that the Crimea assembled has run every war since. Start now: morsecodeworks.com Morse Code Works - free Morse code tools and guides. Reference chart