The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-01-29
BALLOONS and CARRIER PIGEONS
The Part an American Played in Secur-
ing Gambetta's Escape from Paris.
COMMUNICATIONS WITH PARIS.
Vivid Description Of the Aerial Flight from
the Deemed City.

the conveyance OF letters to Paris from the provinces
The conveyance, 1t appears is about to be accom-
plished in some mysterious manner, the details OF
which have not transpired. The charge for q single
letter is fixed at franc-twenty cents-one-ffth
or which revers to the Post ONCE, the remainder 10
the contractor. This
MODE OF CORRESPONDENCE
will be maintained INDEPENDENT OF the facilities
afforded by carrier pigeons. In one OF my late let
tiers from Tours fully explained the process Of that
orrespondence-viz., that messages are limited,
like those OF the telegraph, to twenty words. the
charge being fifty confines per word--ten cents-or
say two dollars Der message. The service, am as
sured. works with wonderful regularity As already
mentioned, the messages are reduced by photo
graphic process and despatched in triplicates-I g.
three pigeons are started separately, each carrying
the same budget OF news. If two pigeons are lost
there remains hope for the arrival OF the third Up
to the beginning OF this month fortyfOu messages
were despatched, that Is TO say 132 pigeons, and
only eight out OF that number are missing.
BALLOONS AND PIGEONS
Each balloon brings fresh batch OF pigeons from
Paris; six, eight, ten and even twenty have been
brought ut time. In the letter referred to alluded
to the
sUBTERRANEAN TELEGRAPH
communications which had been established be-
gathered since then learn trat those commun1ca.
lions had remained intact up to the last week in the
month OF September. Unnl the morning OF the 26th
OF that month the government at Tours received
regular messages from Paris. At that date, how.
ever, all communications suddenly ceased, owing
to the reasonable acts OF an employee another
line had been sacrificed, ,when the military au-
thorites conceived the necessity OF destroying sew
eral bridges leading to the approaches OF Paris
Cut on entirely from the outer world the only
means Of communication appeared to be that OF
sailing through the air.
BALLOON TRAVEL INITIATED BY AN AMERICAN.
1t viii be remembered that M. Gambetta was one
Of the first to avail OF that mede OF travel.
but 1t is probably not generally known that the n
tfative was due to an American. The first balloon
was ordered by gentleman who had been entrusted
by the provisional government with the purchase OF
large quantities OF rifles and other materials.
out instructions. he should leave Paris 50 soon as
practicable. Orders for the manufacture OF bal
loon were issued At once. and on October Mr..
enabled to leave Paris, accompanied by his friend
Mr.. Reynolds and Two French gentlemen. Another
balloon was IN hand for the use OF NJ Gambetta, but
the same was not In sufficient state of forwardness
at the date when The machine ordered by Mr. Nav
was nearly finished.
MAY CEDEs A FAVOR TO sAxBErrA
Disappointed at the untoward delay, he sent for
Mr.. May, explained the urgency attaching to his de-
parture and, with that peculiar courtesy forming
prominent feature of NJ. Gambetta's character, he
desired NJ May TO cede In his favor the right Of
ing the second for Mr.. May, provided the change
met his approval and, moreover, with the distinct
understanding that the government did not mean to
usurp authority or precedence.
THE AMERICAN BALLOON PLACED AT THE MINISTER'S
DISPOSAL.
The American balloon, ready for use the 5th of
October, was placed at the disposal OF M. Gambetta
but the state OF the weather inhibited his departures
hence the coincidence tnat both balloons left the
same day.
THE DEPARTURE FROM PLACE ST. PIERRE
The starting point was from the Place ST. Pierre
accompanied by NJ. spuler, his private se sr,.
,ary, and an experienced aeronaut, whose
the Americans gave the signal Of LET 20" to body
Of sturdy tars holding on the ropes. The car con-
tained;-Charles W. May, ESQ; W. W. REYNOLDS,
a sub-preiecture, and NJ. de Revellod the
aeronaut They carried with them several hundred
United States and OF the Netherlands Legation; also
three baskets, containing twenty carrier pigeons,
and thirty bags Of ballast: large concourse OF
Minister and many other American friends, resi-
dents Of Paris, had come 70 say goodby.
Both balloons rose Immediately to a height OF
about 500 yards. Bearing in northwestern direc-
feet, and the travellers were Immediately brought
into unpleasant proximity Of the Prussian camp.
They distinctly observed signs Of great commotlon
aud the Prussans lost no time opening fire them.
The drill Of artillery the evolutOns OF infantry-al
could be distinguished very plainly, aud without the
aid of glasses. Uhlans followed the tracK in hopes
OF making capture whenever the bullets OF their
comrades should take effect The Gathering OF horses
nurry1ng over hard roads grated on the ears OF
the travellers; the flashes OF fire from the can.
mons mouth became VIVID; The whiz of
bullets very distinct. One OF the passengers
sinon critical, cheered Justify the Americans to
hurry up. SO up they went still further out Of range
OF King Williams nre-eaters. While the excitement
formed strange contrast to the serenity and purity
which surrounded the aeronauts. Martial law had
not been promulgated in the regions which they had
then reached. The travellers could afford TO look
down upon the vain attempts or the soldiers below
them. II the Prussian King can ever be induced TO
venture aerial trip 1t would TO teach his
Majesty Q wholesome lesson. II would AFFORD him an
opportunity more adequately 10 measure the powers
OF Providence.
TAKING OBSERVATIONS.
The sons Of Mars continued TO fire, and kept up
meantime both balloons kept company and grad
ually assembled nearly 1900 yards. About one
O'Clock endeavors were made TO effect descent.
Having neared IA they imagined village, the tray-
oilers resolved to ascertain first their whereabouts.
At distance OF about 200 to 800 yards they
were informed by the assembled crowd that the
place before them was the city OF Senlis. In the de-
partment OF the Disc. They were enabled to speak
TO people on the riverside, and In reply to inquiries
whether Prussians had been seen IN the neiRnbor-
hood the aerOnauts learned that the enemy had left
that very morning, marching in an easterly dlrec-
with copy or that days issue OF the Gdul0ts. A
descent was of course deemed unsafe, and after
course. All went on we'll The balloons glided
noselessly along Perfectly unconscious Of the rapid
motion, the travellers agree that the sensation at
that moment was perfectly unique.
LUNCHEON IN THE ARA BlRo's-EYE VIEW.
1t was then time to provide for the inner man, and
while partaking OF luncheon the Americans were
unaware of having parted company with Mr.. Gam.
BETA. sharp lookout was had, but not
q vestge could be seen OF the other pal
loon. Gliding along till near three O'Clock
Il was resolved TO venture on final
descent. But 1t was suddenly discovered that they
were becalmed The balloon poised. as 1t were, for
nearly three-quarters OF an hour, and that time
seems to have been spent most agreeably. The
scenery below was spread before them with inde-
scribable charm. The autumnal tnge produced
strange contrast with the Orange-colored leaves,
and the chalky roads, winding along the still green
fields while numerous villages loomed up In the dis
tance All this seemed more than could be realized.
The travellers were spell-bound, and filed with
gratitude towards HIM who had watched over their
safety through the clouds. A few minutes more
and they would land on terra ftnla.
A SAFE LANDING EFFECIED
Seeing q large open field before them there was no
apprehension OF not reaching the ground unnurt
Having previously ascertalned from the Inhabitants