The French Committee of Public Safety created a Corp d’Aerostiers in 1794. Intended to conduct aerial reconnaissance, the balloons first went into action during the battles of Charleroi and Fleurus later that year. The Corps remained in service until it was disbanded during the Egyptian campaign. Lowe’s Aeronautic Corps was the second major international experiment in airborne battlefield reconnaissance.
During the ACW the balloonists and aeronauts conducted aerial reconnaissance and artillery spotting as you rightly say Zak. With an ability to soar a thousand feet above the landscape, balloons gave military leaders a platform that allowed them to see for miles around – a decided advantage, especially in areas with little topography. During the Seven Days Campaign in 1862, Union balloons stationed at the Gaines’ Farm could observe movement within downtown Richmond, which was roughly seven miles away. Both sides used balloons, although the Union aeronautical program was far more successful and better organized.
A Thaddeus Lowe designed especially tough balloons for use with the army. They were constructed of more durable material than those flown by civilian aeronauts. Balloons were used in the eastern theatre, to some extent on the western rivers and along the southern coast. Union balloons were employed around Washington DC and Manassas in 1861, used extensively during the 1862 Peninsula Campaign, and employed during the Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville campaigns. In the western theatre, balloons were used to support the campaign against Island Number 10 in the Mississippi River. Confederate balloons were employed around Richmond during the Seven Days Campaign. The largest balloons (Union and Intrepid) had a capacity of 32,000 cubic feet of lifting gas and could carry 5 people aloft. ‘Constitution’ and ‘United States’ had 25,000 cubic foot envelopes and could carry up to three people. ‘Washington’ had a 20,000 cubic foot bag and could carry two people aloft. With a capacity of 15,000 cubic feet each, ‘Eagle’ and ‘Excelsior’ were one man craft.
Smaller balloons could be inflated and sent skywards in a shorter amount of time. Larger balloons carried more observers and could include telegraphers and their gear. Balloons were normally inflated with city gas when it was available, as in Washington and Richmond. In the field, Thaddeus Lowe designed and the Navy Yard constructed special inflation wagons. Charged with dilute sulphuric acid and iron filings, they generated hydrogen.
Both sides utilized naval vessels to help transport and support balloon operations during the war. Naval vessels greatly improved the ability to move and support cumbersome balloons in theatres that had navigable coasts and rivers. The ‘George Washington Parke Custis’, a converted coal barge, was used by the Union army as an early aircraft carrier. And the CSS Teaser (Subject or this post) was used by Confederate forces to deploy balloons on the James River.
Curiously, one of my ancestors (more hot air) was associated with an early balloon flight in this country, about 50 years before the American Civil War. I'm not quite sure in what capacity he served (probably chief bottle washer) or even if he accompanied Paget; but we do know he was present on the day of this flight. These are actual Post Office seals commemorating the event which if anyone is interested in, I can bring along to a future meeting?
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