We will conclude our work with a glance at aerostation as applied
to warfare. Scarcely had the first ascents astonished the world,
than the more adventurous spirits began to use the new discovery
for a thousand purposes directly useful to man. The first point
of view in which aerostation was regarded, was in that of its
practical utility If one refers to the pre-occupations of the
time--to the great events then occurring in the history of
France, one will easily understand that the Committee of Public
Safety soon thought of employing balloons in the observation of
the forces and the movements of hostile troops. In 1794, the
idea was practically carried out, and the French armies were
provided with two companies of aeronauts. The command of one of
these companies was given to Captain Coutelle, a young physicist
of great talent, who rendered memorable services at the battle of
Fleurus. The balloons were not thrown free, but were retained
attached by means of long cords. In this way they took up, so to
speak, aerial posts of observation. Placed in his car, the
captain transmitted his instructions to his men below by means of
coloured flags. Coutelle has left us a lively narrative of
certain incidents connected with one of the grand days of the old
Republic.
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