November 8, 1855 French actress Leontine Gaschon and aeronaut Thaddeus Lowe were united in holy matrimony in a silver and blue balloon hovering over New York City. The New York Herald reported that the “happy and loving couple dashed away into the clear and cloudless night for a romantic flight to a wedding made in heaven.” Thaddeus Lowe flew reconnaissance in the Civil War and when his balloon crashed during the battle of Bull Run Leontine dressed as an old hag to rescue him from behind rebel lines.
