How an Aeronaut’s Mishap Created the Union Army’s Balloon Corps

In ‘This Week in History,’ aeronauts continued testing the limits of their balloons, ultimately establishing a new arm of military intelligence.

The war balloon at Gen. McDowell's headquarters, preparing for a reconnaissance. Library of Congress. Public Domain

Four men were stuck in a tree. They had just narrowly survived a flight across Lake Erie at a speed of approximately 90 miles per hour. Realizing they were all still alive, John Wise looked at his fellow passengers and proclaimed, “And thus ends the greatest balloon voyage that was ever made.”

Wise was an aeronaut, though most called those of his profession balloonists. It was July 1, 1859, and Wise was not America’s only balloonist. In fact, he was not the only balloonist in his balloon. John LaMountain, a young aeronaut, had joined him for the historic St. Louis-to-Henderson, New York flight.