WASHINGTON,
June 2. During the whole of the battle of this morning. Prof.
Lowe’s balloon was overlooking the terrific scene from an altitude of about
two thousand feet.
Telegraphic communications from the balloon to General McClellan, and in
direct connection with the military wires was successfully maintained, Mr. Parke
Spring, of Philadelphia, acting as operator.
Every movement of the enemy was obvious, and instantly reported.
This is believed to be the first time in which a balloon reconnaissance
has been successfully made during a battle, and certainly the first in which a
telegraph station has been established in the air to report the movements of the
enemy and the progress of a battle. The
advantage to General McClellan must have been immense.
Source: The
Indiana Democrat, June 5, 1862
General McClellan
reviewed a portion of the cavalry and artillery on this side of the
Potomac
to-day, on the broad plain east of the Capitol.
Fifty-five hundred cavalry, drawn up by squadrons and regiments on the
left, and eighteen batteries, each by itself, on the right, awaited the General,
whose arrival with his staff was announced by a salute about 12 ˝ o’clock.
After riding rapidly along the line, he took a position on a gentle rise
of land, and the artillery first, guns and cassons in battery line, swept by,
followed by the cavalry. Among the
batteries, none received more praise than that from
Massachusetts
, which arrived only two days ago. There
were five batteries from
Pennsylvania
and three regular—112 guns in all—under command of General Barry, Chief of
Artillery. The cavalry consisted of
ten companies of the 5th, eight of the 6th, two of the 4th,
and one of the 2d Regular Cavalry; 1st, 2d and 3d (Kentucky)
Pennsylvania, with four companies of the 4th, 1st New
Jersey, 2d and 3d (Lincoln) New York, and four companies of the 4th,
six companies of the 1st Indiana, and three companies unattached, all
under the immediate command of General Palmer.
Near four times as many were review as on the previous occasion.
General McClellan expressed himself more than satisfied.
He notice a marked improvement. The
display of artillery was particularly fine, the guns, horses and men being in
the best condition. In many
squadrons of the cavalry all of the horses were of one color, which will be
universally the case as soon as General Stoneman, Chief of Cavalry, can arrange
it. He will also brigade the various
regiments, and number them as volunteer, ignoring States.
The President and Mrs. Lincoln, Secretary and Assistant-Secretary Seward,
Generals Bleacker, McDowell, Sickles, Hooker, and Porter were present.
Source: Harper's
Review, October 26, 1861
