This Is An Educational Website That Is Specialist In Collecting The Recent And The Most Important Trusted Information And Researches In The Nutrition Therapy And Weight Loss Field. This Is One Of The Educational Websites That Owned By S.C.T.C For Counseling And Training Program. Our Main Products In The Market Is Nutrition Therapy, Human Development, Human Resource, Management Science. One Of The Best Product We Produce Is Nutrition Therapy And Obesity Management Certified Diploma

Lincoln's balloon corps

In 1861, shortly after the start of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln authorized the creation of an aerial surveillance organization known as the Union Army Balloon Corps.

Abraham Lincoln approved a balloon corps during the Civil War.

U.S. History

I n 1861, shortly after the start of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln authorized the creation of an aerial surveillance organization known as the Union Army Balloon Corps. Before the war, balloonists were usually carnival performers, but that all changed thanks to aeronaut Thaddeus S.C. Lowe. On July 11, 1861, Lowe was invited to demonstrate his ballooning skills for the President, who hoped to use hot-air balloons for aerial reconnaissance missions in the war.

During his demonstration, Lowe ascended 500 feet into the air and relayed a telegraph about what he saw to Lincoln's staff. After the successful showcase, Lincoln offered Lowe the role of chief aeronaut in the Balloon Corps, which formally began operations that October. The purpose was to gather intel about the Confederate Army's location and relay it to Union troops on the ground, who could then fire on the army from a great distance without even seeing the enemy. The fleet grew to include seven balloons, some of which were tethered to barges in the Potomac River that effectively served as early precursors to the modern aircraft carrier. Though the surveillance proved strategically beneficial, many Union officers, including General George B. McClellan, were concerned about the safety of the balloons. Lowe ultimately resigned his post on May 7, 1863, and the Balloon Corps were dissolved shortly thereafter.

Thank you for supporting our advertisers!

By the Numbers

Soldiers who enlisted in the Union Army

2,762,341

Year of the first untethered manned hot-air balloon flight

1783

Average age of a Civil War Union soldier

25.8

Electoral votes won by Lincoln in the 1864 presidential election

212

Did you know?

Bugs Bunny was named an Honorary Marine.

The title of Honorary Marine was formally established in 1992, and has since been awarded to fewer than 100 people, including comedian Bob Hope and actor Gary Sinise. But decades earlier, the distinction was unofficially bestowed upon a different breed of entertainer: Bugs Bunny. In 1943, the legendary cartoon character starred in the animated short Super-Rabbit, in which he joins the Marines and sings their official song, the "Marines' Hymn." The actual Marines were so flattered by the portrayal that Bugs was inducted as an honorary member soon after, and the organization even issued the character a set of official dog tags and registration papers. Throughout the remainder of World War II, Bugs Bunny was "promoted" several times, rising to the rank of master sergeant before being "discharged" after the war.

Thank you for supporting our advertisers!

Recommended Reading

U.S. History

The Most Popular Baby Names Throughout the 20th Century

Arts & Culture

A Walk Through The History of Shoes

+ Load more

A daily digest of history's most fascinating happenings.

Want to unsubscribe?

Click here
Advertisements: Powered by AdChoices

No comments:

Post a Comment