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Balloons in the American Civil War

By Editorial Staff Military History |  Published: May 12, 2004 at 5:11 pm

Another "Silk Dress Balloon" was constructed and went into service at Richmond in the fall of 1862. It provided aerial observations from its post until the summer of 1863 when it escaped in a high wind and was captured by Union troops.


The war balloon at General McDowell’s headquarters preparing for a reconnaissance.

References:

Hoehling, Mary Duprey. Thaddeus Lowe, America’s One-Man Air Corps. N.Y.: Messner, 1958.

Rolt, L.T.C. The Aeronauts: A History of Ballooning – 1783-1903. N.Y.: Walker and Company, 1966.


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3 Responses to “Balloons in the American Civil War”


  1. 1
    Zarine says:

    Cool site I am useing your info for a social stdies project

  2. 2
    Kaige says:

    im doing a s.s project and I wrote about a page of info from this site thanks!

  3. 3
    Steven B says:

    The National Air and Space Museum sponsored a ceremony to mark the 150th annivesrsary of Professor Lowe’s demonstration on the National Mall of his balloon to President Lincoln. Pictures of the event can be found at http://civilwarwashingtondc1861-1865.blogspot.com/2011/06/lincolns-air-force-and-advent-of-aerial.html



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