Falmouth in Stafford County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Civil War Observation Balloon Site

Photographed By Kevin W., August 15, 2014

1. Civil War Observation Balloon Site Marker

Inscription. This site, once part of the Phillips property and occupied by the Union Army in the winter of 1862-1863 became the launch site for Aeronaut Thaddeus Lowe reconnaissance balloons. The tethered balloon Eagle with General Edwin Sumner's staff officer, Lt. Col William Teall ascending to the heights of 900 feet to observe and report the troop movements engaged in the battle of Fredericksburg.

Erected 2014 by Stafford County.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, US Civil.

Location. 38° 18.938′ N, 77° 26.449′ W. Marker is in Falmouth, Virginia, in Stafford County. Marker is on Ridge Point Lane just east of North Point Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fredericksburg VA 22405, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Falmouth Railroad Station (approx. 0.4 miles away); Jermon Bushrod (approx. 0.8 miles away); Charles McDaniel (approx. 0.8 miles away); Jon Fried (approx. 0.8 miles away); Dennis Dodson (approx. 0.8 miles away); Olympians (approx. 0.8 miles away); Union Army Ninth Corps (approx. 0.8 miles away); Chatham and the Civil War (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Falmouth.

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Photographed By Kevin W., August 15, 2014

2. Civil War Observation Balloon Site Marker

Professor Lowe image. Click for full size.

Library of Congress

3. Professor Lowe

"Photo shows Chief Aeronaut of the Union Army Balloon Corps Thaddeus Lowe. He often went by Professor Lowe" -- Brady-Handy photograph collection

Credits. This page was last revised on May 4, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 15, 2014, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,038 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 15, 2014, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 3. submitted on May 3, 2019, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.