Balloons Over Hartford During the Civil War

If you had visited Hartford’s Old State House during the days leading up to July 4, 1863 (the same period when the Battle of Gettysburg and Grant’s siege of Vicksburg were underway), you would have found two partially filled large balloons, awaiting the moment for their grand ascensions as part of the city’s Independence Day celebrations. One would be operated by Edwin C. Bassett, Hartford’s daring barber who was also a skilled hypnotist. Read my latest Substack to learn more about this and his other ballooning adventures! https://open.substack.com/pub/oldhartford/p/balloons-over-hartford-during-the?r=4j8x6h&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true