The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-07-28
The Needle Gun.

The following account of the invention of the
needle gun we find in the Boston Post The dread
by Germany Of the Prussian army is quite natural;
scarcely equalled, however, wo should think, to
what we did see hereabouts not very long ago:
If the Peace Society had ofre red reward for the
invention OF the best means of putting speedy
end to tho war, tho prize might certainly be
claimed by the inventor OF the needle gun, which
evidently proves to be the secret possessed by
Bismark, and to which he has so often alluded ia
ensuring successful termination of the struggle
with Austria. This arm, which has shown itself
equal to the task attempted in vain by philosophy
and religion, that of staving the combatauts and
arresting the progress OF war, has history ex-
actly similar in all points to that of every other
invention. 1t is we'll known to be the
product Of the long study and perseverance, of
an English officer who, whilo stationed at u
solitary outpost i'll Canada, amused his leisure
hours with experiments in the rough construc-
he had damaged by letting it drop down preci-
pice while in pursuit of bear. 1t was almost by
accident that the discovery became palpable to
the solitary hunter in the woods. But no sooner
did it become manifest to his senses than he
signed his commission in the army, returned to
Europe, offered it unsuccessfuly to every Govern
ment was repulsed and disheartened, until one
day becoming accidentally acquainted with one of
the gentlemen attached to the Prussian Legation
at the Hague, and to whom he recounted his
bitter grievances. This time he was listened to
with interest. The brotherinl law Of his new friend
held some appoin intment at tho Court of Berlin.
War and revolution were already floating through
the air. He saw Mt once all the advantage which
might accrue from being the first to present q
new and valuable instrument of destruction to
Bismark, 30 determined to destroy, and he lost no
time in repairing with the Englishman to Berlin.
Here the way was open, tho hour had come, the
needle-gun was tried, examined, and accepted in
the shortest possible space Of time the inventor
handsomely rewsrded, and encouraged to estah-
lsh himself in Prussia. The result s seen in this
terrible encounter with the Austrians, where cour-
age, skill, prudence, and yalor, were OF no avail
against the necdle-gun, which for long time
served as the laughng-stock to every etat majo
in Europe, and which has now become All object
Of envy to all.
Meanwhile, one single continent is prevalent
throughout the whole of that Germany which is
not actually Prussian-hatred Of Bismark, hatred
Of the King hatred Of all prussians without eS-
gree that it has become a popular belief that
should they triumph over Austria gene raj rising
of the population will take place, and the Prussian
army be intercepted in it's movements by the pea
santry. The army is already denominated the
"Army of the Rhine -winc," 80 eager has been the
research in the cellars all along the route. At n
place called Marberg the bottles contained in the
cellars of the TOwa Hall were emptied into casks
and carried of by these amateurs Of good liquor.
Ems the troops, after having completely drained
tive treasures, entered the gaming hall, where a
| few players were coolly seated round the ia.
pis vert, bidding defiance to any other emotion
| than that produced by the chances OF rouge-et-
| noir. "We take possession of this place in the
| name Of the KING OF Prussia" exclaimed the
commander of the detachment; AUD thereupon
grounding arms with heavy bang upon the floor
the soldiers ranged themselves round tho table
Ladies' and gentlemen, give you warning of the
three last rounds" quietly observed the croupier
| according to custom when about to close the
game. And strange to say, powerful ia pas.
zion even in the face of danger, that the ladies',
who formed, as usual, the great maj rity Of the
company, not whit alarmed at the Interruption
after coolly surveying the coarse Prussan sol
diers through their ,eye-glasses, held their cam.
brio handkerchiefs to their hoses and finished the
game, bafore they thought of giving way to those
demonstrations Of terror fully justified under the
circumstances