Tag Archives: Union Army Balloon Corps

up in the air

A duck, a sheep, and a rooster take off in a hot air balloon. … Already heard this one? … No? Well, actually, according to the Château de Versailles, this isn’t a joke. In 1782 the Montgolfier brothers, Joseph and … Continue reading

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Dewey Beats Truman

150 years ago today The New-York Times. devoted its front page to the Battle of Seven Pines. The paper’s battlefield correspondent made the following statement in his report: “The fall of Richmond will take place without another battle.” The editors … Continue reading

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Sharpshooters and “balloon reconnoissance”

From The New-York Times April 13, 1862: THE SIEGE OF YORKTOWN.; The Weather once more Favorable for Military Operations. Heavy Reinforcements Received by the Rebels. SUCCESSFUL BALLOON RECONNOISSANCE. Compliments to the National Troops. NEAR YORKTOWN, Saturday, April 12. The sun … Continue reading

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‘Twixt Da Vinci and the Wrights

A few days ago I was browsing at the Library of Congress for an illustration for a post about an editorial by The Times of London. When I saw the image above I had another of those jaw-dropping, ‘I had … Continue reading

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