Has anyone ever seen a reference to observation balloons used in the Vicksburg Campaign? Charles Smith reported on April 1st, 1863 that he could see a balloon from Lake Providence. Although he didn't mention in what direction he could see the balloon, he was camped five miles north of the Lake at the time, and had just mentioned watching a boatload of troops sailing north to destroy an artillery emplacement that was being built near Greenville.