Hot air balloons were the first form of airmail.
During the Franco-Prussian War, Paris was under siege and all lines of communication were cut. The telegraph was out of order and food supplies from outside were nonexistent. Eventually, the menu became anything but culinary. Rumor has it that even rats were served.
Here we can read a letter, in which the sender tries to convince the aunt that it is not so bad. The bottom line is that the war went anything but France's way.
Dear Aunt!
You must be very anxious for us, as they know that we are all shut up in Paris, and surrounded by the great and hideous Prussian army, which we all hope the French will soon chase away.
They have now begun to bombard Paris, but so far they have done nothing to us or the City, as the fortress resists magnificently , and has guns in abundance to answer with. It is now three months and a half since these hideous people surrounded us. So far we have no need, the sea has food in abundance, we eat horse meat daily . It's not so bad when you get used to it. We still have food for a long time, so if the Prussians hope to starve us to death, he will have to wait a long time . We believe that they are more in need than us. We are all extremely fast, none of us has been sick for an hour.
We are probably not without anxiety as we probably lose a lot, as the area is quite desolate. It is disgusting to think that these Germans can be so barbaric as to burn and destroy all the lovely houses and gardens around Paris. We believe that our house is undamaged so far. Wecannot travel there, as the Prussians shoot all the people who come near them.
Both our sons Willi and Emile sacrifice themselves to nurse the wounded in our American Ambulance , they are there night and day. At the moment, we have 70 wounded but have raised one hundred and thirty . (...) We have three who have a doctor amputated , and are already dying , but in the French Hospitals they all die . The American Ambulance consists of tents in the open air which allow the wounded to pray .
We hope and pray to the Almighty to end the abominable War, since the world has existed nothing has been seen. I am so anxious every time there is a battle, and my sons must travel there and take in all the wounded (...) there are several persons who have been killed among the rumored wounded, as the enemy does not observe the regulations.
I sincerely from the Heart that God will spare us all and that we can gather again and experience better days .
The letter ends with family and New Year greetings, and these lines:
"This is sent by Ballon, which departs every day. It's no use writing to me. "
