The National tribune., 1900-07-05

inflated IN the afternoon Of June so, after
the daily tropical thunderstorm and down
pour of chilling rain had passed away.
The first ascension was made by Mai.
Maxheld to an altitude of about 1000
feet Several ether officers ascended after
wards, including Gen. Castillo, of the Gu
ban army. These ascents resulted in an
increase Of knowledge as to the direction
and course of roads and streams imme-
diately in front of the American lines.
Maj. Maxfeld also declares that the fact
that the Spanish feet of Admiral Ger
vera was in the harbor of Santiago twas
at last definitely settled by his balloon
observations.
On June 30 the balloon was towed by
means IF captive ropes to Ell Poso, which
was tc be the headquarters of the Com
mandl..s General during the battle. Upon
reaching Ell Poso the detachment was
halted and Maj. MaXfield rode up On the
hill for the purpose of finding the Chief
Engineer Officer, and selecting a place for
the ascension. This ride came near cost
ing the Major his life, for upon reaching
the summit he found that the hill was
covered by a remarkably accurate shrap-
mel fire from the Spanish guns. Just as
he turned to regain the base of the hill
his horse was shot.
The balloon was carried to a place in
the river bottom, about a quarter of
mile 10 the rear, and an ascent made by
Maj. Maxfield and Lieut.. Col. Derby,
Chief of Engineers. From that point
eral of the Corps describing the movement
of troops both Mt FL Caney and on the
road in front which led to San Juan Hill
BY order of the Chief of Engineers the
balloon was then pulled down to within
a few hundred feet of the ground, the oc-
cupants of the basket still remaining in
it ard having n thrilling experience. The
balloon was towed rapidly to the front
until it was Immediately in rear of the
tloops, who were rapidly deploying for the
attack upon the blockhouSe and trenches
on San Juan Hill.
OPERATING A CAPTIVE BALLOON.
In passing through the chaparral and
trees along the river banks the ropes hold
ing the balloon captive became badly
tangled in this brush, and no movement for
time was possible, nor could the balloon
be given the proper elevation. The fact
was determined, however. that the Spanish
Entertainments on San Juan Hill imme-
dIately in front were strongly held. Be
fore the balloon could be eXtIicated from
its entanglement, the enemy opened Wig
orous fire on the deploying Americans
Several missiles struck the balloon and
there was a decided loss of gas Mai.
Maxheld then gave the order that the bal
loon should be pulled down, in the hope
that it might be possible TO disentangle it
and carry it to the rear in order to repair
the holes made by Spanish shot and re-
place the lost gas.
While the Signal detachment was obey
ing this order the men were exposed for
a half hour to q heavy musketry fire, and
Mauser bullets whistled past the occu-
pants of the basket One man, Private
of the Signal Corps, was Sc,
yerely wounded. The captive cords were
finally disentangled and the balloon landed
On terra firma. AS several large rents had
been made in the upper portion, much gas
escaped, and the balloon, having been rem
iered unfit for further use, until repairs
could be made, orders were given to Sc
,ure it and retreat along the river bottom,
and the balloon work Of the Santiago
was at an end.
Referring to the matter, Lieut. Col. |
Greene has this to say:
"The inflated balloon was towed along |
he road toward the front by wagon, and |
Maj. Maxfeld, acting under orders, very |
'allantiy took the balloon upon the skir-
nish line, and there, with Lieut. Col. |
Derby, ascended and remained up under
| heavy rifle fire and an excellently we'll
directed fire of shrapnel until the balloon
va" pierced many times and descent was
After descending the balloon
vas riddied and rendered totally unservice-
ble and of no further avail during the
ampaign. 1t was the first time balloon
as taken up observers on the skirmish
inc, and will probably be the last time"
BY the rapid and modern methods of
ne Signal Corps telegraphic communica-
ion, through the necessary intermediate L
epeating stations, was established direct
etween the White House and War De-