The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-08-20
Use OF THE BALLOON
IN THE CIVIL WAR.
First Aerial Telegraph Message Sent
to President Lincoln.


After Professor Thaddeus S. c. Lowe
had made his famous ascent at Cincin-
natl on the morning of April 20 1861,
in the interest of science and to demon
strate that in the higher atmosphere of
currents there existed an almost invari-
able movement, with slight variations,
towards the east, he proceeded to
Washington. offered his services and
presented his plans to the government
His tender did not receive vast
amount of encOura cement from the au-
thorities until, through the interven-
ton of Professor Joseph Henry, secre-
tary of the Smithsonian institute, with
Hon Simon Cameron, secretary of war,
who directed Professor Henry to make
a thorough investigation of the matter
and report directly to him the result
The balloon, which was made of the
closest woven and strongest pOngee silk,
with a capacity of 10000 cubic feet, was
brought to Washington on the 10th day
of June, 1861. On the afternoon of the
18th the balloon was connected by tele-
graph with the war department and the
promised ascension for military pur-
poses was made on the armory grounds
adjoining the Smithsonian institute.
The aerOnauts were Professor Lowe,
General George H. Burns and Heber c.
Robinson. telegraph operator, and the
first message ever telegraphed from
balloon was then sent to the president
of the United States by Professor Lowe,
being transmitted by Telegrapher Rob
insOn. 1t was as follows:
Balloon Enterprise, Washington, June
IS, 1861.
ITO the President of the United States:
''Sir:-The point of observation COM
mands an area of nearly fifty miles in
diameter. The city with it's girdle of
encampments presents a superb scene.
I have pleasure in sending you the first
dispatch ever telegraphed from an aer-
ial station and in acknowledging in
debtedness to your encouragement for
the opportunity of demonstrating the
liability of the science of aeron-
autics in the military services of the
country.
On July 2 1861, the balloon was taken
to the headquarters of General McDow-
ell in Virginia. The balloon force con-
sisted of Heber c. Robinson, telegraph
operator; Cornelius Donovan, lineman,
and a detail of ten men of the Sixty
ninth New York volunteers. Colonel
Corcoran's regiment, where for three
days, beginning at about o'clock in
the morning. aScenSionS were made.
Colonel w. D. Whipple, chief of staff,
who accompanied it, dictated to Opera
tor Robinson the messages that were
being forwarded to the commanding
general.
About this time several other aero
nauts, Professors La Mountain and
Wise, offered their services to the gov
eminent. The former was sent by Gen
eral Butler to Fortress Monroe and the
war department deciding to accept the
services OF an OlQ experienced aGGOnduI,
Lowe, on account of his youth, was dis
placed by Professor Wise, who contin-
ued with the army until about July II
without special result. on Sunday
morning. July q, while the battle was
in progress, Professor Lowe was in
structed to initiate his balloon and re
port to headquarters at Manassas at
once. The balloon was inflated at the
Smithsonian grounds and tOwed tow
ard the battlefield, which point was
reached between 4 and o'clock in the
afternoon, meeting our retreating army.
Waiting until all had passed, they be-
gan taking observations, which showed
that the enemy was not following our
retreating army and that only a few
cavalry were visible. The balloon was
then brought to Fort Corcoran, Airing
ton Heights. The following day CMon-
day. the wind blew fiercely with
heavy rainstOrm prevailing. On Tues
day morning the balloon was cut loose,
travelling westward over the battle
field, where it was discovered that none
of the enemy's troops were moving.
Smoke showed that the troops were
getting breakfast. Only a few scouting
parties were seen.
The balloon was used in the Will
liamsburg and Yorktown campaigns
and daily tours of inspection were made
from General Fitz John Porters head
quarters, during which time General
Porter made over one hundred ascen-
siOns. Early in 1863 the use of the bal
loon was abandoned by the government.
The cOnfederateS used a balloon at
York river in 1862. Its history is best
told by General W. B. Tahaferro in
writing of Jackson's raid around Pope.
1T may be of interest to relate an in
cident which illustrates the pinched
condition of the confederacy, even as
early as 1862 The federals had been
using balloons in examining our posi-
lions and we watched with envious
eyes their beautiful observations as
they 1Oated high up in the air, well out
of range of our guns. While we were
longing for the balloons that poverty
denied US a genius arose for the occa-
sion and suggested that we send out
and gather all the silk dresses in the
confederacy and make a balloon. 1t
was done and soon we had a great
patch work ship of many and various
hues. which was ready for use in the
seven days campaign. We had no gas
except in Richmond, and it was the
custom to initiate the balloon there, tie
it securely to an engine and run it down
the York River railroad to any point at
which we desired it sent up. One day
it was on a steamer down the James
river when the tide went out and left
the vessel and balloon high and dry on
the bar. The federals gathered it in and
with 1t the last silk dress in the con-
federacy. This capture was the mean
est trick of the war, and have never
forgotten it,