Lynchburg Virginian

From the Charleston Courier, Nov. 5.

BALLOON ASCENSION.

We have the satisfaction of announcing to our readers the safe return of Mr. Elliott, after an excursion of curious and perilous adventure. The following is a hasty narrative of his aerial voyage, taken at a late hour from his own lips.

At a quarter past 3 o'clock, P. M. bore away from his mooring, with a North Easterly breeze, in a South Westerly direction, crossing Ashley and Stone River, James and John's Island, and landing at the plantation of Hugh Wilson, Esq. on Wadmalaw Island, about 20 miles from Charleston. Passed over several plantations, and spoke the inhabitants with his speaking trumpet, and at one of them, being as low as 600 feet from the earth, was answered so as to be distinctly heard by Dr. Curtis. The greatest altitude attained, was two miles and a half, between James and John's Island. The greatest alarm and commotion was produced among the negroes, at the different settlements on the route, at the passage of the Balloon and its living navigator, through the Heavens—wherever it approached they scampered away in great consternation—some of them crying out that it was a bird (rara avis)—others that it was an angel, and at one plantation, where a negro had just died, they insisted that it was his Satanic majesty himself come to fly away with the deceased. While passing one plantation, he lowered a cord within a few feet of a negro, and called on him to lay hold of it but the fellow after gazing awhile in resolute, took to his heels with great rapidity. After proceeding some distance, cast anchor at a large pine tree, in the neighborhood of a swamp, near which there was an open field suitable for a descent, but the current of wind was so strong that the top of the tree gave way, and the anchor came in contact with a large gum tree that stood next in place, there attempted to haul himself down by his cable, 300 feet in length; but a flaw of wind striking the Balloon with great violence, the cable broke loose from the car, tearing off a part of it, and he was deprived of the use of his anchor in a heavy wind. As soon as the Balloon was disengaged from the anchor and cable, weighing 15 lbs. its motive power was so much increased, that it rose at once half a mile in a perpendicular direction, the car leaning so much on one side, that his ballast and a bottle of wine and his hat were thrown out. Was then carried immediately over the house in Mr. Wilson's place, and over a large field of cleared land, where he again contemplated a descent. As he passed the house about half a mile over head, spoke the inmates, and found the whites ready to assist him, but the negroes too much frightened to indicate any such disposition. The valve being in perfect order, opened it to descend, but going at the rate of not less than 40 miles an hour, came in contact with a grove of pine trees, through which he was dragged, for about three quarters of a mile, the Balloon sometimes floating above the trees, and at others getting entangled among their tops, and the car dashing against the trees and breaking off limbs, and at times touching the ground, and then rebounding to a great height. When in this situation, he was reminded of a similar adventure of Mr. Mills, another Aeronaut, who was dragged through a forest of pines in New Jersey, on which occasion he lost his Balloon. After being thus dragged through the woods, found the gas so much diminished in quantity that the Balloon was no longer disposed to ascend; and he remained stationary in his car, awaiting assistance, with the valves open and gas escaping. Mr. Chaplin then came to his assistance on horseback, followed by about 40 negroes. The negroes, however, were very loth to approach, and stood peeping at him from behind the pine trees, and it was not until they were repeatedly ordered by Mr. Chaplin, that they could be induced to lend a helping hand, and then they did so with fear and trembling—their eyes fixed on the Aeronaut in terrified amazement—some asking if it was true that he was a living man, and all regarding him as a supernatural monster. Mr. J. D. M'Kendree next came up, and also Dr. Thos. Curtis, who united with Mr. Chaplin in rendering all the aid and kind offices that the occasion required. The Balloon, with their polite and seasonable aid, was finally neatly folded up, with no other damage, than a small rent, not more than an inch square, occasioned by being torn by the underwood, when he had every reason to expect that it would have been torn to pieces among the pines—and he himself escaped with only a slight bruise. Missed his flags, and on searching for them, found the Star Spangled Banner, unfurled and waving in the top of a pine tree, as if it had been placed there by design; and the tri-colored Flag also waving at half-mast in another pine near by. Was then escorted by Mr. Chaplin and the other gentlemen to the house of the first named, where all joined in paying him the kindest and most hospitable attentions. After partaking of bountiful refreshments, retired to a comfortable night's rest, and the next morning, having breakfasted with Mr. Chaplin, was taken by him in a gig, Mr. J. P. Turnbull accompanying him on horse, to Mr. Angel's, whence a boat was expected to leave for the city. The boat not being there, was hospitably entertained at dinner by Mr. Angel, & the boat having arrived late in the afternoon was immediately manned with six of the primest oarsmen on the place, and embarked. Mr. Angel politely accompanying him, for the city, where he arrived at a quarter past 8 o'clock, P. M.; the negroes all the way singing a song about "Mass Elliott and his Balloon," which they had composed ex tempore for the occasion. The whole time occupied by the ascension was about 45 minutes, during which period 20 miles were traversed; and in one hour after he ascended the gas was discharged and the Balloon folded up.