The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-08-11
BAILO0NS-THEIR USE IN WAR,

The reported use of a balloon by the En-
perar Napoleon at the battle of SOlerino is, by
a majority of readers, esteemed an innovation
OF his own. Justice requires, however, that
honor be bestowed where honor is due. And
this honor is due to no less persoAage than
Robespierre.
Balloons We.e frst invented by the brothers
hiontgOlrer who made their first experiment on
the 9Th of June, 1888, at Annony, repeating it
afterwards, on the 18th of August. at p,.is, IN
the Champ de Mars. TSe.s balloons were
called by the t,oncn Montogolfere, in compli-
mn, 20 the inventors. They were made of a
linen cover, lined with paper and contained
only heated air, and not hydrogen sas, which
was subsequently introduced The paper bal.
looms which age so much used on the Fourth of
July BY the patriotic citizens of America a.
well as those which are nightly ssp, vp f,oa
the Palace Garden ia tAis city, are, property
speaking, lHe1.tg8lJiefe$p and not haIioons, In
uct2ber Of the same year, Pilatse de Rozer
and the Marquis d'Ariandes were the first ad-
venturers bold enough to undertake to ascend
into the air in basket attached to MOntqol-
.jf6re; they rose TO height of three thousand
feet, and descended in safety to the ,esstI.
Shortly after, the distinguished Philosopher
Charles substituted hyagSSgsn gas f9r the heat
"a air, the former being fifteen times as Iigkt
as the latter. The 6rst experiment ON The
Champ DE Mars pgaaGced great excitement
amoDE lac assembled multitude, az well as
through the streets of Paris. 1t was attended
with complete success, notwithstanding a vio-
lent shower, which in no way appeared to in
terfere with its progress. Libes in his nLs,.io..-
mare de Physique, thus SoaSia0es his notice of
the event " I&E satisfaction was so great, that
even elegantly ladies remained with
their eyes intently fixed on the balloon, regard
less of the rain which fell On them in "
In 1898, the Committee II 3,nbHc SAFETY,
Robespierree ,rTTasi,.,ing, estabished at the Pal
ne Of Aeudon company es!!sd the Asfis-,
oSla man wsa. CONSISTED Of s aassa,urou'
slant experiments with their balloons, with a
view to their advantageous employment in war.
fare. Their proceedings were conducted with
the strictest secrecy. Special balloons vera
prepared for each Of the fourteen Sssnch ar.
mics then about tssi,Ss tpe field, and to each
ballcca aistins, name was attached. But the
balloons appear to have been only once asea
to marked advantage. during ,,rs wars Of the
Republic. Tbs bis ass si5ss battle Of EeSsras,
General Ioardan defeated Inv impsSnlists IN,
der Prince PessSig '1Ss name u the balloon
agsagM Neshg.es Sailiea refers to It as
follows
An @ronaut and two officers of rank as.
cended in it twice, and by their signals, made
with flags, contributed to the success of tie day,
or, rather, successive days. wA,ss was Of the
greatest conseaSsnye 70 the Republican arms.
VIXEN tie Ebofs of the Aeroststic Institution
shall have attained to degree Of general utility
and perfection, the transactions I. la BEEN BEEN
said, Will published 9, presea, iAss Ftenc6
the Institution has hitherto msds
pas been to add a kind of telegraph, falling
below the gondola and suspended frotq it, con,