Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1861-06-11
THE BALLOON IN WARFARE.

| MIR. John La Mountain, tho well known nren
naut has offered, the New York Adperfi,sr save
his services to the general government in the
capacity OF scout. He proposes to initiate his
balloon, and accompanied by an engineer. Ia
ascend to any desirable elevation taking notes
Of the country, the situation and strength of the
enemy, &c This idea is by no means novel =
II occurred 10 the first Napoleon, when the art
OF talioouing was but little understood During
the Crimean war the allies frequently made use
Of those instrnmentalties to ascertain the pre.
parntions making by the enemy But il was in
the great plain of Northern Italy, in the campaign
of 1853, that their utility became most apparent
Before the battles of Magenta and Soiferino.
Louis Napoleon had employed lereonauts to aur
vey the grounds; and while the Austrians were
in retreat every melton made by them was no.
ticrd by these genii of tue upper atmosphere and
reported to the VICTORIOUS allies.
Mr. LIZ Mountain very justly remarks that nm
extensive country, diversified by mountaina
rivers, lakes, woods, detes aud tho like, cannot
be completely understood by the map, no matter
how carefully it has been constructed Changes
are constantly occurring, and independent of
these, 1t is all important to be acquainted with
the works constructed by the enemy. Reliance
cannot always be placed on scouts, as they can
cross the lines only at the peril of destruction -
But n balloon could he easily Inflated within n
short time, and rise from whatever quarter the
lower current Of air would convey il toward the
desired point. Having acquired the necessary
information, the @reOnaut could ascend into the
upper current which blows northWard, and 30
return to headquarters The balloon and appa.
ratus for generating gas would form only small
item in the baggage generally accompanying an
army.
This is oil very we'll, and there can be little
doubt that the Government will avail itself Of
every means to gain information of the enemy
MIR. La Mountains reputation is a guarantee
That much service may be expected from his
tnyOrite agency. But friend suggests thnt
still further use might be made of the balloon
Could it not DO successfully employed to carry
on offensive operations against the insurgents ?
To despatch half a dozen of these celestial wish
tiers over camp at night, each dropping a show
or of compliments in the shape of hand erenades.
might do more execution than as many Paixhans
in whole day. The enemy's lights would
afford an excellent mark to aim at, and these
disappearing, the noises arising from camp
would answer M equally good purpose. Taking
few hundred weight Of such missiles as ballast,
the vessel would of course ascend as she tighten
ed her cargo, until completely out Of sight and
danger.
What physical or moral reason exists against
the employment of balloons for offensive opera.
tons in war We can conceive Of none. Aud
how easily could the insurgents be driven from
positions like Harper's Ferry, where they can
scarcely be assAiled in front, by few such noe
turnal visiiations2 Death could be streWn
around from a source beyond the reach Of human
vision, and with most absolute safety to the
operator. Even failure would only result in the
loss of few thousand feet Of carburetted hydro
gen gas. Why not try i'll