ACW PSYOP leaflets dropped by kites...

[USS ALASKA]

Was reading an article titled 'How to Arm a Kite With Shards of Broken Glass' - https://www.fatherly.com/play/how-to-arm-kite-shards-broken-glass/ - and found this statement...

"Although for the record, Union kite fliers during the Civil War were especially adept at dropping leaflets on Confederate troops to encourage their surrender."

Anyone ever hear of this or know anything about it?

Thanks,
USS ALASKA

 

[Booner]

I hadn't heard of that. But in reading the history of Andrew Co. MO. I came across something similar.

A good portion of this Northwest MO county were supporters of the south. As political tensions mounted in early 1861, the Southerners of the county flew a "Palmetto Flag" over the county courthouse at Savanna.
Not to be intimidated, a man, a supporter of the union, flew a kite that bore a likeness to the Union flag over the Rebel flag. A group of Union men surrounded the kite flier and protected him from southern men for the duration of his kite flying.

 

[mofederal]

I have never heard of this event, but I am not surprised. I am sure about the only thing really accomplished was there was plenty toilet paper for Confederate troops. German propaganda leaflets were utilized for the same thing by G.I.'s in WWII.

 

[John Hartwell]

The Historical Dictionary of American Propaganda, mentions, in passing, leaflets being dropped from balloons:

The Washington Republican of Feb. 12, 1862, includes this somewhat related story: