PROFESSOR THADDEUS LOWE
THE CIVIL WAR YEARS
The Battle of Fair Oaks Observation - June 1, 1862
(Lance S. Ferm Collection)
(Lance S. Ferm Collection)
MEMOIRS OF THADDEUS S.C. LOWE, page 136
By day-break the next morning, I was again floating above the scene. My reports follow.
Near Dr. Gaines' House.
June 1st, 1862 5am
Brig. Gen. Humphreys
or Gen. Marcy, Chief of Staff.
I have just obtained a splendid observation from the balloon. I find the enemy in large force on the New Bridge road about three miles this side of Richmond, in fact all of the roads that are visible are filled with infantry and cavalry moving towards Fair Oaks Station. There is also a large force opposite here and in the same position that they were yesterday, but not in motion. I can see smoke in the woods where the firing ceased last night. I hear no firing at the present. In the immediate vicinity of the heights opposite here, there are nothing but pickets visible.
T.S.C. Lowe,
Chief Aeronaut
The above therefore, giving timely notice that the enemy did really intend making a more severe attack than even that of the previous day, must certainly have been of the greatest importance and gave our forces an opportunity of preparing for a vigorous defense.
(Courtesy of Smithsonian Institute)
(Smithsonian Institute photo enhanced - Lance S. Ferm Collection)
MEMOIRS OF THADDEUS S.C. LOWE, page 140
The battle was over and while indecisive, what advantage there was, lay with the Army of Potomac. It had more than held its own. Major General A. W. Greeley, late Chief of the signal service, distinguished author, explorer and soldier, did me the honor to say in an article in Harper's Weekly of June 1900: "It may be safely claimed that the Union Army was saved from destruction at the Battle of Fair Oaks, May 31 and June 1, 1862, by the frequent and accurate reports of Professor Lowe."
The New York Times - June 7, 1862