Year: 1862

The telegraphic Superintendent with Nc
CIellau's army gives this interesting sketch of
the telegrapbing from the balloon at the bat
tie of Fair Oaks:


The telegraph has been called upon to per
form still more mysterious wonder. For
some time past have been ordered by Col
Ecker, four superintendent Of military tele
graphs) to try telegraphic experiment from
balloon. Saturday morning, when we heard
that a great battle must be fought, Prof
Lowe notified me that should extend the
wire to bis balloon, and we would try it. In
one hour We had brought the wire mile and
half, and was ready to ascend with the
Professor. The battle had commenced
When it had reached its zenith, Professor
Lowe and myself, with the telegraph. had
reached an altilu ude Of 1000 feet. With the
aid Of good glasses we were en- bled 10 view
the whole affair between those pow erful con.
tending ar MES. As the fight progressed,
hasty observations were made by the Profess
sor and given to me verbally, all Of which |
instantly forwarded to Gen. Mcclellan and di
vision commanders. through the agency Of the
obedient fed instrument which stood by our
side in the bottom of the car. Occasionally
masked rebel battery would opSp upon our
brave fellows.


In such cases the occupants Of the balloon
would inform our artiliefists of it's position,
and the next shot or two wou in every case,
silence the masked and annoying Gust toner
For hours and until quite dark, We remained
in the air, the telegraph keeping up constant
communication with some point. From the
balloon 10 Fortress Monroe, distance Of over
one hundred miles, this wire worked beauti
fully. A number Of messages were sent and
received between these two points, and had il
not en- for the rush of business on the wir'
| should have tslegraphed you directly from
the balloon while the battle was raging
Sunday morning at daybreak we again as
cended. Early in the morning the battle was
renewed, and with more fetceness than the
day before. Inceseant firing of musketry
and artillery was kept up until noon, when
bad the extreme pleasure TO announce by
telegraph from the balloon that we could see
the enemy retrealing rapidly towards toward
Richmond. At this time we could see firing
on James river TO the left Of Richmond, dis.
lance from the balloon (some said) fifteen
miles. This fire was Of short duration.


hOW hlChMOND LoOkED FkOh THE bALLOON


The streets of Richmond in the morning
presented deserted appearance, but very
few people to be found in the streets. Dur
ing the afternoon and evening Of Sunday
nothing of interest transpred beyonl the re-
moval OF the rebel dead and wounded, all Of
which could be distinctly seen from the bal
loon. Every available machine that had
wheels was brought into reluisition for this
purpose. From tho scene of battle into
Richmond, the road was literally :lined with
ambulances, wagons ,:carts, conveying dead
and wounded. About twilight We saw camp
fires inrumerable around the city; smoke is
sued from all their hospitals and barracks,
which showed US to certainty that the main
body of the army hal fallen back to Rich
mond. Monday morning wo made several
ascensioos, and found small force near the
last scene Of action, and thousands Of troops
marching out from the city, so you may look
momcntUriIy for a report of another severe
battle.