The War of the Aeronauts: The History of Ballooning in the Civil War

Evans, Charles M.

ISBN 10: 0811713954 / ISBN 13: 9780811713955

Published by Stackpole Books, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., 2002

About this Item

NEW/FINE. Grey boards, red spine. SIGNED by AUTHOR on ffep. Rare signed. [B36].

Seller Inventory # 008427

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The War of the Aeronauts: The History of Ballooning in the Civil War
• Publisher: Stackpole Books, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
• Publication Date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0811713954
• ISBN 13: 9780811713955
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: FIRST.
• Dust Jacket Condition: Dust Jacket Included
• Signed: Signed by Author

About this title

Synopsis

The Union Army Balloon Corps was a highly innovative and effective force during the American Civil War, and its military role foreshadowed the advent of aerial warfare in the following century. From 1861 to 1863 the corps contributed invaluable surveillance and reconnaissance information to the Union Army's war effort during the Virginia Campaign. But its role was not restricted to intelligence gathering alone, and the Balloon Corps also achieved such military feats as air-to-ground communication by telegraph, the first use of an 'aircraft carrier' for launch of a balloon, and the first artillery barrage directed by an aerial observer where gun batteries were unable to see their targets on the ground. This fascinating book traces the history of the corps from its creation by pioneer balloonist Thaddeus Lowe to its disbandment in 1863.

About the Author

Charles M. Evans is an expert on ballooning and the history of flight, and has contributed articles to the Civil War Times, American History and Aviation. He was the founding curator of the Hiller Air Musuem in Redwood City, CA.