Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-06-25
FIFTY YEARS AGO
IN THE STAR

The Confederate forces. which had been
holding line extending from below Ma
nassas to and including
Confederate Harpers Ferry. were con-
49, centrated more closely
A0AS~s' during the middle Of
June. 1861, in order to oppose the federal
army then assembling at Manassas. Har-
pers Ferry was abandoned for this pur-
pose. In The Star Of June 10, 1861, is the
lowing that change:
THE disunionists must either have a
tremendous force on the other side Of
the river or their line OF defense is an
exceedingly weak one through its extent.
We have every reason to believe that the
latter is certainly the case. Their front
exposed to the forces Of the United States
extends certainly from Manassas juno
ton to Edwards Ferry-a distance of
fully thirty miles-which for its proper
defense will require a well appointed
force OF more than 10000 men, whereas
we feel sure that they have not more
| than half that number, If more than a
third of 1t. now operating on that line.
Our belief Is that Patterson's approach.
or the first forward movement on the
part Of Gen. McDowelrs command, will
prove that, as at present posted, their
line will be broken at the moment it may
be seriously menaced."
-
Early in the war efforts were made to
utilize balloons for observation and sig
mailing purposes. The first
Military experiments in that direc-
polloo, ton were made in this city.
In The Star of June 10,
1851. is a description of test that oc-
Cured on the Mall:
FOR some time past preparations have
been making to introduce balloons into
the service OF the United States for the
purpose of making observations Of hostile
camps. intrenchments. military move
ments. etc. Yesterday afternoon the first
practical experiment to that end was
made in the grounds surrounding the Co.
lumbia Armory. in this city. Prof Lowe,
the balloonist, had charge of it and sue
ceeded admirably.
The balloon assembled several hundred
Feet and was held at the desired alti-
tude by stout cord. Mr.. Lowe was ac-
companied in the car by Messrs. George
II. Burns and Charles Robinson, teIeg-
raphers. and two telegraph wires, at
tached to the battery worked in the War
department. connected with a small field
telegraphing instrument worked by Mr..
H. The distance between the instru-
ment thus elevated and the battery was
ABOUT half mile. The following dis
patch was transmitted to the President
yuor Of
titude:
This point Of observation commands
an area nearly fifty miles in diameter.
The city, with its girdle of encampments,
In sending you this first dispatch ever
teiegraphed from an aerial station and in
acknowledging an Indebtedness to your
encouragement for the opportunity OF
demonstrating the availability of the
science OF aeronautics in the military
service Of the country. T. s. c. Lowe
1t was regarded questionable before
tnat experiment was made whether I'M
known atmospheric influences might not
prevent the due operation of electricity
IN working the telegraph at a high alti-
tude. which did not prove to be the case,
as the communication between the oper-
ators at the two ends of the wires was
as perfect as though 1T had been suspend
cd over the usual poles within fifteen feet
or the earths surface. Doubtless with
the aid of powerful telescopes the use of
this balloon will enable the commander
OF force to inspect thoroughlya the in
terror OF the works opposed to him and
to know instantly any movements of
troops OF the enemy: and that, too. with
out the slightest danger to- those making
the observation. 1t will be remembered
that to the balloons used by the French
IN the late Italian campaign no telegraph
ing apparatus was attached; that achieve
ment having been left to American genius
and enterprise
OF interest along the same line Is the
following paragraph printed in The Star
Of June p. 1861:
Field Yesterday Telegraph En-
vrr: gineer Rogers Of New York
put in operation on the other
side Of the river his newly invented tele-
graphic cordage or insulated line for
field operations. and It proved emil
nently successful. It is run off reels
upon the ground with great rapidly, as
required for instant use. across streams
through woods or over any localities
Lines were yesterday in extraordinary
short time thus laid between the head
quarters of Gen. Mcdowell and two or
three of his most advanced camps and
were worked in immediate connection with
the telegraph station in the War Depart
ment. The heaviest artillery may run
over this Rogers cordage without damag-
ing its effectiveness in the least. 1t diff
fers In many respects from the field tele-
graph used by Louis Napoleon in the
Italian war and embraces many advan-
tages of convenient and certain operation
under any possible circumstances over
that which contributed so signally to the
success Of the French arms.
A*
Numerous letters from parties in the
south to persons in loyal states" says
The Star Of June %, 1861
Confederate have embraced intima-
Design. the uS Mans Of the u ,rs,to ~
commanders. Washington city was to
have fallen into their hands on or before
this particular morning at daylight.
These letters-from different writer's in
different southern states to different in
dividuals-have been sent to the military
authorities here. Their statements,
backed by other positively ascertained
facts, lead irresistibly to the conclusion
that 1t had been determined to make the
threatened attack in the course of the
past week. The attack has not been