New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-07
HISTORY OF THE FRENCH BOMBS.


SIR: The discovery of the explosive shells
IN the cellar of Frenchmans house Saturday Will
perhaps have less present significance owing TO the
statement Of Debuchy that they originally made
for the Committee of Safety OF Bordeaux The writer
OF this letter personally Of the fact that in the
Fall of 1870 association of Frenehmen In tins city
purchased hand renades, intending to ship them TO
France The missile ITSELF which has proved terrible
weapon on more than battlefield. is by no means
new TO the arms and munitOn trade in NewYork. and
the writer could name than store In the city
where they be purchased The story OF the shell
and s inventor perhaps possesses sufficient interest to
warrant the writer IN narrating it in your columns w.
W. Harris the and patentee, clever mechanic
and Eon-wOrker at the beginning OF our civil war
proprietor OF small fOundery in Cincinnati. In 1901
he patented the new In the invention OF bis
shell, Harrss first hope to sell 1t to the Federal
Government In October November 1861. he visited
the camp OF Gen Rosecrans In West Virginia and was
furnished by General with letters OF introduction to
the chiefs OF the War Department Reaching Washing
ton, and visiting the Ordnance Bureau, his invention
regarded with little that be returned to
Cincinnati After this rebuff by the Federal officers
being southerner by birth he began TO feel symps-
thy the Couederacy and concluded 20 exhibit his
invention IN Richmond. Some time in 1867 he landed at
Wilmington, via Canada and Bermuda HIS invention
was more appreciated by the Confederate authorities
than by the Federal officials and he was made superin-
tendent OF Government cannon f0undery. very soon
his shells we're cast large quantities ana Issued TO the
different Confederate commands. Experience at once
demonstrated their terribly effective character. In
sherman's first attempt 10 capture Vcksbnrg, Gen.
Morgan L. Smiths Division repulsed in crossing
Cnckasaw Bayou by their in the hands OF Lorings
Confederate Brigade the Confederate soldiers throwing
the Federal soldiers. The 9Th Missouri Regiment suf
fered fearuy from the bombs during this assault In
the repuse Of the boat attack upon Fort Sumter II 10
believed the shells also much used.
II IL hardly needful 70 state that however ueetu 10
the Confederate service Harriss invention proved, he
did not receive any money reward. In lsG970 Harris
came to York with letter OF Introduction To the
very same gentleman who had been ROsecrans Chief
OF staff nine years before His business here was 10
I'LL considerable order from Gen Quesada, and II may
not OF place violation OF confidence 70 state
that the Cubans have a large quantity OF these
bombs and have than once broken Spanish col
umn by their As heretofore mentioned, IN 1901 the
paentee making his shells in this city Tor an assO-
citation Frenchmen who, not trusting victor Place,
the French this city, chose 10 make their con
trbution 70 the defense OF France in their own way
Tie members OF the Committee were very Destitute
looking patriots earnest and intelligent men,
To conclude, II the police authorities fancy their DIS
coyerY Saturday reveals a plot OF lnternatlonals,
they are very probably mistaken. Shortly after the
July riots" In 1871 information was conveyed to the
this city The shell Is perfectly safe TO carry about
when loaded and capped and can be shaken about IN
the hand without danger but one OF the fourteen caps
Is sure TO explode by hight an impact aa fal OF the
grenade from a table 10 tke noor. n p
Feb. Al