"When I saw the photograph showing my inflation of the balloon _Intrepid_
to reconnoiter the battle of Fair Oaks," wrote Professor T. S. C. Lowe in
the _American Review of Reviews_ for February, 1911, "it surprised me very
much indeed. Any one examining the picture will see my hand at the extreme
right, resting on the network, where I was measuring the amount of gas
already in the balloon, preparatory to completing the inflation from gas
in the smaller balloon in order that I might ascent to a greater height.
This I did within a space of five minutes, saving a whole hour at the most
vital point of the battle." A close examination of this photograph will
reveal Professor Lowe's hand resting on the network of the balloon,
although his body is not in the photograph. It truly is remarkable that
Professor Lowe should have seen and recognized, nearly half a century
afterward, this photograph taken at one of the most critical moments of
his life.
[Illustration: THE SLAUGHTER FIELD AT FAIR OAKS.]
Over this ground the fiercest fighting of the two days' battle took place,
on May 31, 1862. Some 400 soldiers were buried here, where they fell, and
their hastily dug graves appear plainly in the picture. In the redoubt
seen just beyond the two houses was the center of the Federal line of
battle, equi-distant, about a mile and a half, from both Seven Pines and
Fair Oaks. The entrenchments near these farm dwellings were begun on May
28th by Casey's Division, 4th Corps. There was not time to finish them
before the Confederate attack opened the battle, and the artillery of
Casey's Division was hurriedly placed in position behind the incomplete
works.
[Illustration: THE UNFINISHED REDOUBT.]
In the smaller picture we see the inside of the redoubt at the left
background of the picture above. The scene is just before the battle and
picks and shovels were still busy throwing up the embankments to
strengthen this center of the Federal defense. Casey's artillery was being
hurriedly brought up. In the background General Sickles' Brigade appears
drawn up in line of battle. When the Confederates first advanced Casey's
artillery did telling work, handsomely repelling the attack early in the
afternoon of May 31st. Later in the day Confederate sharpshooters from
vantage points in neighboring trees began to pick off the officers and the
gunners and the redoubt had to be relinquished. The abandoned guns were
turned against the retreating Federals.
[Illustration: THE "REDHOT BATTERY."