Capt. Bryan’s Confederate Observation Balloon Kirby-Smith Camp #1209 has a new exhibit that will be part of its educational displays. The Confederate Observation Balloon represents Capt. John Randolph Bryan’s balloon while attached to Gen. J. B. Magruder’s headquarters before Yorktown. His trips in the balloon were one of the most unique experiences of the War Between the States, as it was doubtless the first time a balloon was used by the Confederate Forces in order to ascertain the position and strength of the Union forces. It will add to the interest of this story to know that at the time Captain Bryan was making his ascensions from the Confederate lines Gen. Fitz John Porter was performing the same service for the Union army which lay facing the Confederates.

Kirby-Smith has added another weapon to it’s arsenal is the replica of the confederate submarine the H.L. Hunley . It was completed after long months of fabrication by many camp members and we were honored to have the Hunley featured as a cover article in the Florida Times Union newspaper on Veterans day. The inaugural voyage of the H.L. Hunley was the 2012 Jacksonville Veterans’ Day Parade. The Hunley will see service in many events and be an important part of your camp’s commitment to public education on Confederate History and the sacrifices of our gallant ancestors. There has already been several requests for it’s appearance and the recruitment opportunities that it will provide camp 1209 will be endless. If you would like the Hunley Submarine displayed at your event please contact ; calvinhart@bellsouth.net for details.