On the 27th General Butterfield ordered me to make frequent ascensions, and to report to him and to General Sedgwick. Captain Comstock was then absent, and I did not see him until the 6th of May.

The following orders and reports relative to observations during the seven-days" battle I think worthy of special attention, as they show what can be done by the balloons when required, and they demonstrate their value as a means of observation, although there might be occasions when even more service could be rendered:

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, April 28, 1863. Professor LOWE, Chief of Balloon Department: PROFESSOR: The general commanding desires you to have your balloon up to-night, to see where the enemy’s camp-fires are. Some one acquainted with the position and location of the location of the ground and the enemy’s forces should go up. Very respectfully, PAUL A. OLIVER, Lieutenant and Aide-de-Camp.

 

BALLOON IN THE AIR, April 29, 1863 - 10 a. m. Major-General SEDGWICK, Commanding Left Wing, Army of the Potomac: GENERAL: The enemy’s line of battle is formed in the edge of the woods at the foot of the heights from opposite Fredericksburg to some distance to the left of our lower crossing. Their line appears quite thin compared with our force. Their tents all remain as heretofore, as far as can be seen. T. S. C. LOWE, Aeronaut.

 

12 M. The enemy’s infantry are moving to our right about four miles below our crossing on a road just beyond the heights. The enemy do not appear to advance. T. S. C. LOWE.

 

 

1.30 P. M. The enemy are moving wagon trains to their rear. Their force, which is in position opposite our crossing, is very light. I should judge not more than we now have across the river. T. S. C. LOWE.

 

2.45 P. M. About two regiments of the enemy’s infantry have just moved forward from the heights and entered the rifle-pits opposite our lower crossing. Heavy smokes are visible about six miles up the river on the opposite side in the woods. T. S. C. LOWE, Chief of Aeronautics.

 

 

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, April 29, 1863. Professor LOWE, &c.: The major-general commanding directs that one of your balloons proceeds to-night or before daybreak to-morrow to Banks" Ford, or vicinity, and takes position to ascertain with regard to the force of the enemy between Fredericksburg, Bowling Green, and Banks" Ford. A signal telegraph is working between here and Banks" Ford, by which information can be communicated. It is especially desired to know the comparative strength of the enemy’s force at Franklin’s Crossing, and in the vicinity of Banks" Ford, and above to the west of Fredericksburg. BUTTERFIELD, Major-General and Chief of Staff.

 

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, April 29, 1863. Major General J. SEDGWICK, Commanding Sixth Corps: GENERAL: The commanding general desires that you will please have the accompanying communication sent at once to Professor Lowe, who is supposed to be in your vicinity. Very respectfully, &c., S. WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant-General.

 

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, April 29, 1863. Professor LOWE, &c.: The major-general commanding directs that your balloon on service near Sedgwick’s command be sent up at a very early hour in the morning before sunrise, and that you get a communication with the signal telegraph to forward to these headquarters the earliest information with regard to the numbers, strength,and position of the enemy. This is not to interfere with the service of the balloon at Banks" Ford. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, S. WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant-General.

 

APRIL 29, 1863. JAMES ALLEN, In Charge of Balloon Washington: You will have your men prepare one or two days" rations to-night, and in the morning have the men all ready to cross the river by daybreak. I will meet you where the balloon is now anchored. Very respectfully, &c., T. S. C. LOWE, Chief of Aeronautics.

 

 

HEADQUARTERS AERONAUTIC CORPS, April 29, 1863. Mr. E. S. ALLEN, In Charge of Balloon Eagle: General hooker desires a reconnaissance made after dark to observe the location of the enemy’s camp-fires. Also in the morning immediately before daybreak. Great care should be taken to gain all the information you can. Please make a careful report after 9 o’clock to-night and soon after daylight in the morning. A high altitude should be attained in order to accomplish the object desired. Be careful you observe the points of the compass correctly. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, T. S. C. LOWE, Chief Aeronaut, Army of the Potomac.

 

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, April 29, 1863. Major General JOHN SEDGWICK: GENERAL: I shall be absent to-morrow morning at Banks" Ford and vicinity, and if I may venture an opinion, I think it advisable that some engineer or other competent officer be instructed to ascend in balloon Washington from time to time until my return, for the purpose of reconnoitering from Fredericksburg as low down as the commanding general deems necessary. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, T. S. C. LOWE, Chief Aeronaut, Army of the Potomac.

 

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, April 29, 1863 - 10 p.m. Mr. E. S. ALLEN: The commanding general directs that your balloon be taken to Banks" Ford in order to take very important observations before and after daybreak. I will be there at daybreak, but you can commence to take observations should I not be there in time. The best way to go is to follow the signal telegraph. Look out for obstructions, &c., and don"t fail, for now is your time to gain a position. Respectfully, &c., T. S. C. LOWE, Chief of Aeronautics, Army of the Potomac.

BANKS" FORD, April 30, 1863 - 10.45 a. m. Major General BUTTERFIELD, Chief of Staff, &c.: The balloon arrived at 3 a. m., but since that time have not been able to get an observation until now. The enemy opposite here are apparently not near as strong as they are opposite Franklin’s Crossing, while opposite United States Ford there appears to be only one camp. I cannot yet see to Bowling Green, owing to the low clouds. The enemy’s smokes are more numerous than usual in the rear of the heights opposite Franklin’s Crossing below Fredericksburg. T. S. C. LOWE, Aeronaut.

 

BANKS" FORD, April 30, 1863 - 1.30 p. m. Major General BUTTERFIELD, &c.: The enemy opposite this ford occupy three positions from a half to one mile from the river, also opposite what I take to be United States Ford. About five miles up there is a small force. To the left of Banks" ford, commanding the road, the enemy have a battery in position. It is hard to estimate their force, for they are partially concealed in the pine woods, but they are certainly not near as strong as below Fredericksburg. Respectfully, &c., T. S. C. LOWE.

 

4.45 P.M. The enemy opposite this place main the same as last reported. Numerous camp smokes are now arising from the woods, about ten or twelve miles in a southwest by westerly direction. T. S. C. LOWE.

 

 

HEADQUARTERS AERONAUTIC CORPS, Camp near Falmouth, April 30, 1863 - 8.30 p. m. Major-General BUTTERFIELD, Chief of Staff: GENERAL: After my report at 4.45 this p. m. I came down to General Sedqwick’s headquarters and ascended at 7 o'clock, remaining up until after dark in order to see the location of the enemy’s camp-fires. I find them most numerous in a ravine about one mile beyond the heights opposite General Sedqwick’s forces, extending from opposite the lower crossing to a little above the upper crossing. There are also many additional fires in the rear of Fredericksburg. From appearances I should judge that full three-fourths of the enemy’s force is immediately back and below Fredericksburg. Very respectfully, your most obedient servant, T. S. C. LOWE, Chief of Aeronautics, Army of the Potomac.

 

This last report was of much importance, as it gave the commanding general correct information as to the position of the enemy, and he was enabled to regulate his operations at Banks" and United States Fords accordingly. I was confident that the enemy had brought up reserves from Bowling Green and the Junction, nd this induced me to hasten to Franklin’s Crossing to take an observation there the same evening, although I was considerably exhausted from having been up all the previous day and night. I also concluded from General Hooker’s movements that the enemy would learn them, and probably move up the river the next morning. I accordingly sent the following order to an assistant in charge of the balloon at Banks" Ford, and to this and the reports I made on the following morning I would call attention.

 

APRIL 30, 1863. Mr. E. S. ALLEN, In Charge of Balloon Eagle, Banks' Ford: Commence observations at daylight to-morrow morning, and look out for the enemy moving on the roads, either up or down, and report by telegraph, having your dispatch sent to General Hooker at United States Ford, and to General Sedgwick, Franklin’s Crossing. Be sure of the correctness of your reports, and report promptly. T. S. C. LOWE, Chief of Aeronautics, Army of the Potomac.

 

The following eight dispatches were of the greatest importance, and especially when it is considered that all of these movements were out of sight of all but the observer in the balloon, and the information could not have been obtained in any other way:

BALLOON IN THE AIR, May 1, 1863 - 9.15 a. m. Major-General SEDGWICK, Commanding Left Wing, Army of the Potomac: GENERAL: Heavy columns of the enemy’s infantry and artillery are now moving up the river accompanied by many army wagons, the foremost column being about opposite Falmouth and three miles from the river. There is also a heavy reserve on the heights opposite the upper crossing, and all the rifle-pits are well filled. T. S. C. LOWE.

 

9.30 A. M. Still another column has just started from opposite the upper crossing, but not those mentioned as reserved in my last dispatch. They are moving with great rapidity. T. S. C. LOWE.

 

10 A. M. A column of the enemy are now crossing a small run that empties into the Rappahannock at Banks" Ford. One of the columns that left from opposite here required thirty minutes to pass a given point. The balloon at Banks" Ford is continually up. Long trains of wagons are still moving to the right. T. S. C. LOWE.

 

 

11 A. M. I can see no earth-works on the Bowling Green road. I should judge that the guns had been taken from the earth-works to the right of Fredericksburg. Another train of wagons is moving to the right on a road about one mile from beyond the heights opposite Franklin’s Crossing. The enemy’s barracks opposite Banks" Ford are entirely deserted. The largest column of the enemy is moving on the road toward Chancellorsville. The enemy on the opposite heights I judge considerably diminished. Can see no change under the heights and in the rifle pits. I can see no diminution in the enemy’s tents. T. S. C. LOWE.

 

12.30 P. M. In a west-northwest direction, about twelve miles an engagement is going on. Can see heavy smoke and hear artillery.In a west- southwest direction, about four miles, artillery is moving toward the engagement. A large force of the enemy are now digging rifle-pits-extending from Deep Run to down beyond the lower crossing just by the edge of woods at the foot of the opposite heights. There are but few troops in sight now except those manning batteries and in the rifle-pits. There appears to be a strong force in the rifle-pits. T. S. C. LOWE.

 

2.15 P. M. The enemy opposite here remain the same as last reported. Immense volumes of smoke are arising where the battle is going on opposite United States Ford. A large force must be engaged on both sides. this would be a good time for some staff officer to ascend, if it is desirable to you. T. S. C. LOWE.

 

2.45 P. M. The enemy are throwing up earth-works for artillery on a little rise of ground at the foot of the height about 300 yards from Deep Run. T. S. C. LOWE.

 

 

3.45 P. M. The smoke from the battle appears to be in the same position, but in much lighter volumes. Everything opposite here remains the same. T. S. C. LOWE, Chief of Aeronautics, Army of the Potomac.

 

 

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, May 2, 1863 - 5.15 a. m. Professor LOWE: Please get up your balloon at once and let me know the position of the enemy’s troops. DANL. BUTTERFIELD, Major-General and Chief of Staff.

 

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, May 2, 1863. Professor LOWE: Add to former dispatch and notice any movements toward Sedgwick’s. D. BUTTERFIELD, Major-General.

GENERAL SEDGWICK'S COMMAND, May 2, 1863 - 6.15 a. m. Major-General BUTTERFIELD, &c.: The troops opposite this place remain in the same position as last evening. Owing to the high wind now prevailing I am unable to use glass sufficiently to see whether there is any movement on the roads between here and the battle-ground of yesterday or not. I will examine them the first opportunity and report. Respectfully, &c., T. S. C. LOWE.

 

MAY 2, 1863 - 7.30 A. M. I have just obtained a tolerably good view of all the main roads beyond the heights and toward Chancellorsville, but could see no troops or wagon trains on them. The enemy opposite remain in the same positions, apparently without any increase. Respectfully, &c., T. S. C. LOWE.

 

MAY 2, 1863 - 7.45 A. M. General BUTTERFIELD, &c.: Heavy cannonading has just commenced in a westerly direction about twelve miles. The enemy are shelling our troops opposite here. T. S. C. LOWE.

 

MAY 2, 1863 - 8.15 A. M. Professor LOWE: Has the enemy’s force decreased any? DANL. BUTTERFIELD, Major-General and Chief of Staff.

 

8.30 A. M. I cannot say that the enemy have decreased, but they do not show themselves quite as much this morning, and I can see no reserves on the opposite heights. T. S. C. LOWE.

 

MAY 2, 1863 - 12 M. Professor LOWE: Why is not the balloon up, and why do we not hear from it? DANL. BUTTERFIELD, Major-General.

 

12.30 P.M. Major-General BUTTERFIELD, &c.: GENERAL: I have made several efforts to ascend, but found the wind too high and could not use the glass. It is getting calmer now, and I will try again. T. S. C. LOWE.

 

MAY 2, 1863 - 1.05 P. M. The enemy remain the same opposite this point, and no movement is visible on any of the roads seen from the balloon. The wind continues so flaw that the balloon was blown from a thousand feet elevation to near the earth. T. S. C. LOWE.

 

 

3.15 P. M. A brigade of the enemy left from opposite the upper crossing fifteen minutes since, and crossed Deep Run, and is now moving to the right toward Banks" Ford. They have also disappeared from opposite our extreme left, below the lower crossing. T. S. C. LOWE.

 

3.45 P. M. The enemy’s troops that I saw moving to the right took the Plank road in the rear of Fredericksburg. T. S. C. LOWE.

 

MAY 2, 1863 - 4.15 P.M. The enemy have entirely withdrawn their advanced line, with the exception of a small picket force. T. S. C. LOWE.

 

5.30 P. M. Nearly all of the enemy’s force have been withdrawn from the opposite side. I can only see a small force in the neighborhood of their earth-works. I cannot at this time get a sufficient elevation to tell what roads they take,but should judge by the appearance of army wagons moving to the right that the troops are moving that way also. T. S. C. LOWE.

 

SIGNAL STATION, May 3, 1863.   Professor LOWE: I am directed to inform you that your reports can be forwarded to headquarters Army of Potomac by telegraph. The station is where is was yesterday. Your reports to General Sedgwick can be forwarded by flag signals from station on bluff, immediately in front. With great respect, your obedient servant, F. WILSON, First Lieutenant, in Charge Telegraph Station.

At 6 a. m. I was called upon by an aide, who said the general desired me to make a close examination of the enemy’s position, and to point out his strongest and weakest points along the line of earthworks about Fredericksburg. The following was my report:

MAY 3, 1863 - 5.15 A. M.   Major-General SEDGWICK, and General BUTTERFIELD. Chief of Staff: The enemy have apparently increased their force furring the night, and appear again at the foot of the opposite heights. There does not appear to be as many, however, as yesterday morning.   T. S. C. LOWE.

 

7.15 A. M.   Major-General SEDGWICK, and General BUTTERFIELD, Chief of Staff: The enemy’s infantry is very light along the whole line opposite here, and especially immediately in the rear of Fredericksburg. I can see no troops moving this way on any of the roads. Heavy cannonading has just commenced on the right toward Chancellorsville. T. S. C. LOWE.

 

 

Our troops were immediately concentrated in front, and at 11 o’clock the point reported by me to be the weakest was charged and very handsomely taken. I do not believe that any other point could have been taken by the same number of men.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, May 4, 1863 - 12.20 p. m.   Professor LOWE, &c.: The commanding general wishes to have one balloon sent to United States Ford, inflated it possible. What answer shall I make to the general? Very respectfully, your obedient servant, S. WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant-General.

 

In answer to the above dispatch I informed the general that I had but two balloons fit for use, one at Banks" Ford and the other at Fredericksburg, and that I would move whichever one to United States Ford he should direct. As it was necessary to know what movements the enemy were making in their rear, and the two places mentioned being the best for observations for that purpose, the general returned the following order:

UNITED STATES FORD, May 4, 1863.   General WILLIAMS: Leave the balloons for the present where they are - Fredericksburg and Banks" Ford.   J. HOOKER, Major-General.

 

MAY 4, 1863 - 12 M.   Generals SEDGWICK and BUTTERFIELD: The enemy that entered the earth-works in the rear of Fredericksburg still remains. They also have considerable infantry and some wagons with their artillery on the heights to the left of Hazel Run. A portion of General Sedgwick’s command occupies a position to the right commanding the enemy. I should estimate the enemy to be now in sight at least 15,000 strong.   T. S. C. LOWE.

 

6.15 P. M.   General HOOKER and SEDGWICK: The enemy are advancing in large force to attack our forces on the right of Fredericksburg.

 

6.50 P. M.   The enemy are engaged in full force and driving our forces badly.

 

 

MAY 4, 1863 - 7.30 A. M.   The enemy have driven our left with a large force and have possession of the river opposite Falmouth.   T. S. C. LOWE.

 

MAY 5, 1863 - 10.45 A. M. Major-General BUTTERFIELD, Chief of Staff: I am unable at this time to see any movements of the enemy except some wagons moving up and some down the river. The enemy in force appear to hold all the ground they gained yesterday.   T. S. C. LOWE.

 

CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, VA., May 7, 1863.   Captain C. B. COMSTOCK, Chief Engineer, Army of the Potomac: CAPTAIN: The heavy storm of the 5th and 6th instant caused the loss of the entire gas from one balloon, partially from the other; also destroyed ten carboys of acid and four barrels of iron trimmings. I would therefore respectfully recommend that 100 carboys of acid and twenty barrels of iron be at once ordered by telegraph. I remain, very respectfully, &c.   T. S. C. LOWE, Chief of Aeronautics, Army of the Potomac.

 

Shortly after sending the above to Captain Comstock I called on him personally, relative to putting in order several balloons which needed repairs, and also to learn what decision had been made relative to my communication of April 12, 1863. Captain Comstock informed me that he would select the person to superintend that business - (the delicate one of putting balloons in order.) He also informed me that the terms were indicated in his indorsement on my communication. I informed him that was not satisfactory, and inasmuch as I had given notice on the 12th of April that I could not serve on the terms he named, and as the battle was now over, I wished to be relieved, provided it was a suitable time; to which Captain Comstock replied that if I was going I could probably be spared better then than any other time. I received pay up to April 7 inclusive, and came to Washington.

On the 8th I received the following dispatch, which is an indication that General Hooker was not informed of the change that had been made in the aeronautic department.

 

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, May 8, 1863.   General Hooker sent one of his aides over at 10 a. m. to tell you to have two balloons up, and to keep them up all the time. I informed the aide that you had left the Army of the Potomac. Will you not write Hooker?   J. F. GIBSON.

 

CONCLUSION.

 

I have endeavored in this report not only to furnish a complete account of my own operations in connection with the military service, but to present all the essential facts for the use of the historian of this war relative to the introduction, use, and results of aeronautic observations. I feel assured that whatever may be the estimate of my own services, it will redound to the honor and credit of President Lincoln and his Administration that they have availed themselves of every means to crush this rebellion which loyal minds could devise or loyal men be willing to execute.

The details I have presented all have their significance when taken in connection with other facts relative to the conduct of the war known to the military authorities; and I have on this account, as well as from the entire novelty of the history, not thought it advisable to condense or abridge this report to a greater extent.

In conclusion, I would briefly state a few of the most important matters which deserve consideration to introduce my system of aeronautics into the service - only after satisfactory experiments and practical tests had proved its importance - and it has been continued in constant use for two years under various generals, which would not have been the case had not experience demonstrated its utility, and the truth of all I originally claimed for it.

Second. Without wishing to disparage others, I may safely claim that my improved balloons and apparatus, including the portable gas generator (which are entirely my invention), are the only ones which are found to be adapted to the wants of the army service, and that I have done more to perfect the system, and to render it efficient and reliable than all who have been engaged in the art since the experiments of Guy Lussac in 1784.

To gain this knowledge has cost me many years hard labor and nearly $30,000 in money, and for which the United States Government alone is daily reaping the benefits.

Third. During the whole period of my employment I have devoted all my mental and physical energies to secure the success of the enterprise. I have never shrunk form the discharge of my duty however hazardous, and holding no commission, I have often been perplexed and put to inconvenience in doing the business of the aeronautic department, which properly belonged to a commissioned officer, but for want of one acquainted with the business was compelled to do it myself. I have also been at all times exposed to the danger of being treated as a spy had I fallen into the hands of the enemy.

Fourth. For the first large balloon and apparatus brought to Washington and used in the preliminary experiments for the Secretary of War, and afterward at Falls Church, Fort Corcoran, and other places, I have never received compensation, nor for my labor and time, and expense of keeping a party of men employed for making the aforesaid experiments.

Fifth. It must be evident, without attempt at demonstration, that so novel and peculiar an apparatus as a balloon requires the most careful and trust worthy management and the most skilled and experienced observers. Having had more practice and greater experience in this business than any one else, I respectfully submit that the compensation I have asked and received has been small in comparison with the services performed.

Sixth. The plans I have proposed are calculated to be of great value to the Army, and if proper facilities were afforded most important results could be obtained. Instead therefore of any curtailment of the aeronautic department I would most respectfully recommend its being permanently adopted as an arm of the military service, with established positions and regulations for those connected with its management. The persons to be selected for this service should be those tested in the field, and found to be the most reliable and experienced, who can instruct others when required. For want of proper facilities and persons capable for the service I have been unable to propose an extension of the balloon service to all parts of this army.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,

T. S. C. LOWE,

Aeronaut.

P. S. - Since completing this report I have obtained a copy of the Prince de Joinville’s narrative of the Peninsular campaign, form which I extract the following:

 

Page 47: The shells from the rifled guns flew in all directions with a length of range which had not before been suspected. The accuracy of their fire forced us to abandon all the signal posts we had established in the tops of the tallest trees. The balloon itself, whenever it rose in the air, was saluted with an iron hail of missiles which were, however, perfectly harmless.   Page 67: Could the Federals meet, with a powerful concentration of troops, that concentration which the enemy had effected, and to the reality of which the observations of our aeronauts, and well as the statements of deserters, daily bore witness?   Page 72: It had been built by General Sumner, about half-way between Bottom’s Bridge and the most advanced point of the Federal lines. It saved that day the whole Federal army from destruction.

 

NOTE. - I have the best of reasons to believe that Sumner’s Bridge was completed a day sooner than it otherwise would have been by my frequent reports that the enemy were moving to the left. (See my dispatches to General McClellan of June 29, 1862, and following with comments.)

 

Page 75: Some time had been lost under the impression that the attack on the right bank might be a feint. An end was soon put to all doubts on the subject by the vehemence of the attack, and by the aeronauts who reported the whole Confederate army moving to the scene of action. It was then that Sumner received the order to pass the river with his divisions.

 

NOTE. - See my dispatches of May 31 and June 1 with comments.

Page 86: The presence of Jackson at Hanover Court-House proved that he intended to attack our communications, and cut them off by seizing the York River Railway. The maneuver was soon put beyond a doubt. A considerable body of troops were seen to leave Richmond, move in the direction of Jackson, and execute that movement to turn us, the danger of which we have already pointed out.

 

NOTE. - The above information was given in my reports of the 26th and 27th of June, 1862.

 

T. S. C. LOWE.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Lowe, T. S. C., 1911, (in) The Photographic History of the Civil War. Volume IV, pp 369 - 382. Scott, Robert N. Lt. Col. (prepared by), The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Vols. 5, 11, 21, 25, 51; Series III, Vol. 1. Government Printing Office, Washington. Images courtesy of the Library of Congress.

The citation for this article is: The U. S. Corps of Topographical Engineers, s.v., http://www.topogs.org/balloon.htm < balloon1.htm>< balloon2.htm> <balloon3.htm>< balloon4.htm>< balloon5.htm> (accessed <date>).