The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-12-11
CAPT. BRYAN WAS ONLY
CONFEDERATE AERONAUT
Daring Virginian Rjsked His Life in Scouting
Ascents-His the First Aerial Reconnotre
Of the War Between the States-Hu-
man Target in Mid-Air-Tremen-
dous Danger Involved.

Il
and creeks and fording places, and
other Typographical matters on the
Peninsula. Having shown myself sum
clentiy familiar with these matters,
the general then turned to Colonel
Rhat, and remarked:
II think Mr.. Bryan will do very
well. You will please assign him to
tho balloon service TO make the re.
lconnoissances, and instruct him as to
what information VIC want and the
kind of report NO desire from him.
On hearing this order sprang to my
feet, protesting that while could ride
n horse. or mule. or even goat,
that knew nothing whatever abou,
balloon.
Ny words had. however, small effect
upon the general. lie told me very
CURLY and positively that had been
assigned to him for duty. and that he
expected me to perform the duty TO
which was assigned without any
question. shortly afterwards | was
fully instructed ny Colonel Rhe,t as
20 all the details; that there was a
crew OF men already in charge OF the
balloon. who understood the manage
incnt OF 1t. as to the initiating. letting
1t ascend. and drawing It down again
by means of the rope which was at
tached TO 1t (Which passed around a
windlass). and l was also instructed
in the signals that 1 should make
wigwag flag. to tell those below what
was wanted. whether I wished to go
fast or slow. UP or down.
WAS also given such information
as was a hand as to the supposed
position OF the enemy, and was in
structcd 10 carefully note where each
different arm of the service dnfantry,
artillery and caYalry) was located, ana
my estimation OF their number, and i
was further told 10 make a memo
randum or map OF all that saw white
up in the balloon.
passinE the Danger Line.
Thc balloon party was located be-
hind largo thlcket OF pine trees
within the lines, with view OF allow
ing tho balloon 10 reach consider
able elevation before It could be seen
by the enemy, who would. Of course.
fire at 1t in the hope of destroying it.
As | had seen some artillery scr.
vice, was quito well aware that after
attaining certain height the ordi-
nary field cannon could not be trained
10 bear upon Inc, so that the danger
zone was only between tho time that
| appeared above the top of the trees
and the time when ] should have
reached such an elevation that their
guns could no longer be trained upon
me.
The next day received an order
from General Johnston to make my,
first ascension. The balloon was an
chorcd by a long rope, probably a.
quarter of Il mile long. which was tied
10 tree and then coiled In great
number OF coils, sailor fashion. on the
ground, and then passed around
windlass, and Was finally attached TO
a number of cords coming down from
the balloon. From this cone OF cords
hung a good-sized hamper or basket,
In which i was to stand or kneel and
make my observations. 1t did not take
q very long time to NIL the balloon
with hot air. for plentiful supply of
Pine knots and turpentine had been
made to create n great heat under a
flue, tho end of which opened into tho
balloon. SO that very soon l was told
that my aerial horse was ready for
nc to mount and ride away
stepped into the basket and gave the
signal to rise. AT first tho balloon
was let Off quite gradually. and l be-
gan to ascend slowly. "This is not
so bad thought, but the worst was
yet to come
a Target In NIid-hir.
/ Hardly, however,. had I gotten above
the tree tops when / saw the officer in
charge of tho battery elevate tho gun
and carefully sight it at me. Boom"
Went the cannon, and the shell whis-
tied by mo in most unpleasant prox-
unity. at once gave the signal
faster and the balloon won't up more
rapidly
Before long i had reached an cle-
walton above the line OF fire, when
again sisnalled them to stop, and,
squattins down In the hamper, COLI
lected my thoughts and brcathed more
freely.
at once took out my notebook,
which contained,sa a rough map or dia-
gram showing the rivers, the roads
ana creeks. and marked Wharo the diff
ferent bodies OF tho cncnly's troops
We're upon this little map. Now, this
was not such an easy thing to do as
rious currents Of air ulado my balloon
epln and revolve like a top. so that j
must needs walt for a whole revolution
TO occur before completed my sketch
Of any particular spot. however care
fully checked over my map, and then
I gave the signal to lower the ball |
loon. -
Hardly had i begun the descent
Ehen ! saw that the enemy had pre-.
pared to give me very warm re.
ceRge sooh aa one amate1
battery and stood by their guns pre-
aaring for firing and aiming them AT
the SPOT I3,nust pass on my way to-
terra ilrlna, therefore gave the sig,