The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-08-03

'" ~ HE hW.--ffOm the EXPERIMENT.
recently made at Washington, an impression
prevails that ballooning, for scouting purposes
has failed But this we think is incorrect. Bal
looms were used, and with great advantage, for
purposes of observation by the French during
the campaign in L0nbardy, and the imperfect
development of the science OF mronautics lead .
us to believe that new discoveries of great
utility in the navigation Of the air are in store
for those who devote themselves to the study
BY our correspondence from Fortress Monroe
| il will be seen that La Mountain--thc same who
undertook the celebrated journey across the
continent from st. Louis, and afterwards got
caught in forest in a gale of wind-has been
making aerial Reconnaissance there with con-
siderable success. Directing his glass towards
the enemy's position at Sewall's Point, his OBJ
servations confirmed che surmises of military
authorities as to the erection of batteries or
intrenchments for he discovered that space
had been cleared in the woods, where the rebels
had thrown up an extensive redoubt facing
north, and mounted three guns. In the rear of
this intrepchment he counted ffty-two tents,
and watched the movements of a number of
enumerate all the batteries and guns between
the fort and that city. From this we infer that
he must have assembled nearly thousand feet,
an altitude so much greater than that from
which the Washington aronauts observed-they
only having gone up four hundred and six hun
dred feet-that to this cause we chiefly attribute
his superior success. A quicker eye and better
telescope may also have had much to do with it.
But that ballOoning may be turned to very good
account for scouting purposes this enterprise of
Mr.. La Mountain fully demonstrates. AS he pro-
poses TO continue his ascensions, his services 10
the army may be of considerable advantage.
RIFLE CLUBs.-The guerrilla system of war
fare adopted by the rebels gives to the rifle an
Importance that renders an acquaintance with
its use matter of vital necessity to our troops.
Owing to the difficulty of getting supplies of
the weapon fast enough, many of the new regi-
ments have been served with it only Just pre-
viously to their going into action, and conse-
quently have not been able to turn it to as good
an account as they would otherwise have done.
We might easily provide against the inexpcri-
ence induced by such causes. When the fear of
invasion led to the raising of large body of
volunteers in England, it was felt that some.
thing more was necessary to make them pro-
cient in the use of arms than few hours drill
ing every week. Rifle clubs for practice were
accordingly instituted in every township and
parish throughout the United Kingdom, and the
result has been a surprising development of
skill in the use of that weapon amongst the
English volunteers. The example should be
at once acted upon throughout the North. We
must neglect no advantage that military science
holds out and as we have to combat an enemy
who fights only behind intrenchments or under
the cover of ambuscades, we must give our
troops the training that qualities them for that
peculiar mode of warfare. The movement COM
menced by Colonel Berdan will, we hope, be
extensively followed, and in order TO, give it
prompt effect no time should be lost in raising
subscriptions for the formation of clubs for rife
practice in every district throughout the. Union
TIE "IrrrIE VILLAIN" AGAIN IN TRoUBIE.-It
will be remembered that our Quadrilateral con-
temporary has been visiting Fortress Monroe,
marching with the army of the Potomac, and
dining and winning with General Scott, and that
he took advantage of these opportunities of
acquiring valuable information to give aid and
comfort to the enemy, by revealing the secrets
of our Notifications ana disclosing the plans of
our Commander-in-0hief. 1t appears, however,
that at General SCOTS dinner his faculties were
80 beclOuded and confused by the dust he
kicked up in his run from Patterson's divi-
sion to Washington, and by the strength and
excellence of the Generals old wine, that he
made as great mess of his report of General
SCOTS conversation as he did of hts celebrated
essay on the ''elbows of the Mincio formed by
the sympathies of youth" Colonel Frank
Blair in his speech in Congress on Thurs
day, etiectually riddles the Little Villains"
report and shows that General SCOTS state
ments were unsupported. Poor Little Villain
He offended the whole North by publishing
what purported to be General SCOTS plans,
and now he has obtained the undying contempt
of the rebels by unntentionally giving them
false Acknowledgement to speak of General
SCOTS feelings towards one who attempted to
reveal confidential conversations. The Little
| Villain is first rate runner, but bad re-
| porter. His true sphere now is the Union
Course, in a pedestrian match against time
What is bad for him, however, is good for the
| country, and we may congratulate ourselves
that the enemy does not know our plans yet.
|
FREE SPEECH NORTH AND S0UTH.-If it be true
that a good cause need not fear discussion, the
rebels would seem to have no faith in ths JUS
tice of theirs. Not only is the expression of
Unionist sentiments anywhere within the Sc
coded States dangerous to the life of him who
uttcrs them, but the mere fact of q man being
Northerner subjects him to impresszMeat, OF
in case of refusal to imprisonment or expulsion
What a contrast does the North Offer in this
respect. There are in the free States at least
dozen journals which are daily adve eating the
cause of the rebels. In the Senate and House
of Representatives Messrs. Brecl :.nridge ant
Burnett never lose an opportunit " of utterin.