Thaddeus Lowe's Balloon Ascent
ID: SIA2011-0961 and A30915H
Creator: Brady & Co. (Washington, D.C.)
Form/Genre: Event
Date: May 31, 1862
Citation: Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 54, Folder: 9D
Usage Conditions Apply
The Smithsonian Institution Archives welcomes personal and educational use of its collections unless otherwise noted. For commercial uses, please contact photos@si.edu.Summary
Image of Thaddeus Lowe's balloon test of the "Intrepid" at the battle of Fair Oaks, Virginia, during the Peninsular Campaign, May-August 1862. Lowe's balloon was used for reconnaissance for the Union Army during the Civil War. Using a telegraph the driver could send a message about Confederate camps and troop movements to soldiers below who then gave the information to Union generals. The test was supported by Smithsonian Institution Secretary Joseph Henry, who served as President Abraham Lincoln's scientific advisor during the war.
Subject
- Lowe, T. S. C (Thaddeus Sobieski Coulincourt) 1832-1913
- Henry, Joseph 1797-1878
- Lincoln, Abraham 1809-1865
- Intrepid (Hot Air Balloon)
Category
Historic Images of the Smithsonian
Notes
Note that this is a composite image, consisting of the May 31, 1862, stereo view photograph showing people on the ground and the basket of the balloon, with the balloon labeled "Intrepid" drawn in above the original image.
Contained within
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 54, Folder: 9D
Contact information
Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu
Date
- May 31, 1862
- Civil War, 1861-1865
Restrictions & Rights
No restrictions
Topic
- Telegraph
- Soldiers
- Balloons (Aircraft)
- Tents
- Hot air balloons
- Fair Oaks, Battle of, Va., 1862
- Aeronautics
- History
- Experiments
- Ballooning
- Balloon ascensions
Place
- United States
- Virginia
Form/Genre
- Event
- Photographic print
- Group, candid
ID Number
SIA2011-0961 and A30915H
Physical description
Number of Images: 1; Color: Black and White; Size: 10w x 8h; Type of Image: Event; Group, candid; Medium: Photographic print