The 22nd cavalry was decimated. The three ultimate riders launched themselves into a last suicidal charge that turned into disaster: Blutch's horse collapsed and Captain Stark was captured by the enemy. Only Chesterfield managed to get out of it. Although the Union's forces were higher in number, they were weakened by the loss of his cavalry, which carried out reconnaissance missions. It was a strange and new invention, the Montgolfière, which would allow to anticipate the southern movements and thus prevent their attacks. Naturally, Blutch and Chesterfield would be designated volunteers to be the observers-aeronautics. Encouraged by the results they obtained and their control of the vehicle, they would then use this balloon to deliver Stark.