What was the ''grape vine'' telegraph?

The "grapevine" telegraph refers to a method of informal communication that spread information quickly through Word of mouth, particularly during the American Civil War. Soldiers and civilians would relay news and rumors to one another, akin to a game of telephone. This form of communication was often more rapid and widespread than official channels, allowing for the swift dissemination of news, whether accurate or exaggerated. The term has since evolved to describe any informal network of communication.