The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-06-27
Balloon TelegraphiDg In Battle.
THE TELEGRAPHIC CORPS OF M'CLELLAN's
ARMY.

THE TELEGRAPHIc CORPS OF MCCLELLAN s
We fad in the Lancaster (Pa.) Express
an interesting letter from Mr.. Parker
Spring, Superintendent of Telegraph Con-
struction in General McClellan's army, de-
scribing the use of the telegraph in a
balloon during the great battle before Rich-
mond. Mr.. Spring says:
For some time past, have been ordered
by Colonel Eckert Jour superintendent of
military telegraphs) to try telegraphic ex.
pertinent from a balloon. Saturday morn
ing, when we heard that great battle must
be fought, Professor Lowe notified me that
should extend the re to his balloon, and
we would try it. In one hour we had
brought the wire mile and half, and
was ready to ascend with the Professor.
The battle had commenced. When it had
reached its zenith, Professor Lowe and my
self, with the telegraph, had reached an alti.
tude of two thousand feet. With the aid
of good glasses, we were enabled to view
the whole affair between these powerful and
contendipg armies.
AS the fight progressed, hasty observa~
tiOns were made by the Professor and given
to me verbally, all of a0hich I dnstamtly for.
qoarded to General Mcclellan and division
commanders through the agency of tho
obedient field instrument which stood by our
side in the bottom of the car. Occasion
ally masked rebel battery would open
upon our brave fellows. In such cases the
occupants of the balloon would inform our
artillerists of its position, and the next shot
or two would, in every case, silence the
masked and annoying customer.
For hours, and until quite dark, we re.
NAMED in the air, the telegraph keeping up
constant communication with some point.
From the balloon to Fortress Monroe, a
distance of over one hundred miles, this
wire worked beautifully a number of
messages were sent and received between
these two points, and had it not been for the
tremendous rush of business on the wire, 1
would have telegraphed you directly from
the balloon, while the battle was raging.
Sunday morning at daybreak we again
assembled. Early in the morning the battle
was renewed, and with more fierceness than
the day before. Incessant firing of mus.
kerry and artillery was kept up until noon,
when l had the extreme pleasure to an
nounce by telegraph from the balloon that
we could see the enemy retreating rapidly
towards Richmond. At this time We could
see firing on James river, to the left of
Richmond, distant from the balloon (some
sadly fifteen miles. This fire was of short
duration.
HOW RICHMOND LOOKED FROM THE BALLOON.
The streets of Richmond in the morning
presented deserted appearance, but very
few people to be seen in the streets. Dur
ing the afternoon and evening of Sunday,
nothing of interest transpired beyond the
removal of the rebel dead and wounded, all
of which we could distinctly see from the
balloon. Every available machine that had
wheels was brought into requisition for this
purpose. From the scene of battle into the
city of Richmond, the road aOas literally
lined a0ith amabulances, a0agons and carts,
comveyisg dead and aco~nded.
About twilight we saw camp fires innu-
merable around the city smoke issued from
all their hospitals and barracks, which
showed us to certainty that the main body
of their army had fallen back to Richmond.
Monday morning we made several ascen.
sions, and found small force near the last
scene of action, and thousands of troops
marching out from the city; so you may
look momeDtarily for report OF another
severe battle. ~ -, '