Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-11-08
MIsCELLANEOUS.
Rattla Of Balloong-An Aerial Combat.


The following extraordinary statement ap-
pears in the NouUelles du Jour, Belgian
paper. It's coutainedi in the note to that jour
nal by one of its correspondents at the seat of
war, which note was conveyed by carrier
pigeon:
PARIS, October 1, 1S7O.-Nadar returned
Yesterday to Paris. His return was not, how
ever. effected without much trouble, although
his balloon was directed by good wind and
favorable currents since his departure from
Tours. But let me relate the particulars of
his voyage in chronological order. He left
Tours at O'clock of the morning and arrived
in view of Paris at IL o'clock, floating about
5000 metres above the Fort of Charenton.
At the same time as the Intrepide, which was
the name of NJ. Madras balloon, appeared in
sight, second balloon was seen in tho same
direction. NJ Nadar waved long streamer
with the French national colors. Immediate
" afterward national flag foated from the
car of the other balloon Loud "hurrahs"
and cries of "C'est Durouf' from the garrison
of the fort greeted the appearance Of the two
aeronauts, whose balloons gradually approach
ed Suddenly, and when at a short distance
from each other, loud report was heard in
the air, followed by series of explosions
These we're at first supposed to be triumphal
signals or demonstrations, until NJ. Nadar was
observed to fling himself into tho netting of
the balloon aud to cling to its sides. During
this time the other eFonaut continued dis
charging shots at NJ. Nadar and his balloon.
The Iutrepide was descending rapidly, and it
appeared evident to the spectators below that
some incomprchensible event had taken place
above But mark what the French flag of
the neiehboring balloon came to. It was with
drawn, and black aud yellow standard was
observed to be floating in its place. All was
explained Treason" at is a Prussian
balloon" Gle has fired on the 1ntrepide,"
were the cries that burst simultaneously from
the Freuch people. Nadar was supposed to
have been lost. His balloon was falling quick
", and had once more nearly reached the earth
when ~ Nadar was observed busily engaged
in casting out ballast. Thereupon his balloon
rcascends, aud ~. Nadar was seen again to
climb up the network, and by marvellous
effort to stop a hole in his balloon made by the
shot of his adversary The Intrepide then
became the assaiant, several shots having been
fred by NJ Nadar at the Prussian balloon.
which suddenly whired about and fell to the
ground with giddy velocity. As soon as it
reached the earth, detachment of Uhlans,
who were in the plain, and who had been fol-
loving the AERIAL combatants throughout this
exciting struggle, rushed forth, and, surround
ing the balloon, received their champion
God known in what condition. They then
fastened off at full speed to the Prussian adj
vance post. In the meantime, NJ. Nadar safe
" decended at Charenton, where he is still at
this moment The Echo du Parliament COM
1Bentiug on this recital, observes "While the
NourelYs du Jour was publishing this extra
ordinary account Of an aerial combat, we read
in the correspondence addressed from YER
sailles to the Times, of the 3Oth of Septem-
Der, the following paragraph: can inexpli-
cable phenomenon has just been witnessed at
Versailles. Two balloons, attached to each
other, were seen lowering over Paris, moved
by strong east wind in the direction of the
Forest of St. Germans, but they suddenly dis
appeared behind some distant trees" The
Brussels journal also states that smaller bal
loon was perceived about the same time above
NefFe, near Bastogne, near which place it
seemed to have slowly descended. 1t was
supposed to have assembled from the garrison
of Metz