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Listing Details



Location: CELEBRATE VIRGINIA PARKWAY AND BOLIVAR POINT LANE

City: FREDERICKSBURG

State: Virginia

Zip Code: 22406

Type of Memorial: War Memorial Laser Images

Access: Public

Wars Commemorated: CIVIL WAR


THE UNION ARMY’S USE OF BALLOONS BEGAN IN THE SUMMER OF 1861. AFTER OBSERVING CIVILIAN BALLOONIST THADDEUS LOWE FLOAT IN A BASKET 1500 FEET ABOVE WASHINGTON, D.C., PRESIDENT LINCOLN REALIZED THE MILITARY POTENTIAL FOR BALLOONS. HE PROMPTLY ESTABLISHED THE BALLOON CORPS AND APPROVED FUNDING FOR EQUIPMENT AND PERSONNEL. ON AUGUST 28, 1861, THE FIRST U.S. MILITARY BALLOON, THE “UNION”, WAS READY TO ENTER THE WAR.


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