"
Napoleon did not favour the use of balloons in war. Perhaps it
was because he himself had such a splendid genius for war that he
depended alone upon himself, and scorned assistance. Perhaps it
was because if balloons were discovered to be of real utility,
his enemies might make use of them as well as himself, and France
retain no special advantage in them. But however this may be, on
his return from Egypt he sold the balloon of Fleurus to
Robertson. The company of ballooneers was dissolved, and the
balloons themselves disappeared in smoke.
During the war in America, the role which the balloon played was
a more important one. The Government of the United States
conferred the title of aeronautic engineer upon Mr. Allan, of
Rhode Island, who originated the idea of communicating by a
telegraphic wire from the balloon to the camp. The first
telegraphic message which was transmitted from the aerial regions
is that of Professor Love, at Washington, to the President of the
United States. The following is this despatch:--
"WASHINGTON, Balloon the 'Enterprise.'
"SIR,--The point of observation commands an extent of nearly
fifty miles in diameter. The city, with its girdle of
encampments, presents a superb scene.
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