The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-03-23
BLEW UP WARSH|P
CAPT. MAXWELL CAUSED THE FA-
NOUS CITY POINT EXPLOSION.
The Former Confederate Tells How
lie SmuEEied an Internal Machine,
Hun by Clock work, Federal
Vessel on the James in 1S64-5S
Men Killed and I26 Wounded.

RICHMOND. Va, March 1.-THE recent
disaster to the Maine recalls a tragic Incl
dent in the late war, when $40o0,00O worth
OF property of the federal government was
destroyed and the lives of more than half a
hundred men were lost while 126 were
wounded. This event occurred on Aug. 9,
1864. at City Point. The man who. acting
under Instructions from the confederate
states government. caused the terrible
havoc is Capt John Maxwell, a well known
machinist. who resides at 31S North Twenty
seventh street in this city. Capt. Maxwell
gives the following account of his expert
ences:
Il left Richmond on the 18th of July 1861
to operate with what was known as the
Theological torpedo against the vessels of
the federal forces navigating the James
river. Mr. r. X. Dulard, since dead was
with me. He was well acquainted with the
river, and would go where 1 led. no
matter what the danger might be. When
we reached Isle of Wight county on Aug. 2.
we heard that an immense supply of stores
was being landed at City Point and at once
started for that place. intending, if possible
to Introduce our machine upon one of the
vessels discharging their cargoes there.
We reached City Point before daybreak
on Aug. 8. having Travelled mostly by night
ana crawled upon knees to pass the
picket lines. L had with me an ordinary
candle box containing u pounds of gun
powder. procured at a country store. In the
boX was packed a small machine nv own
invention, which was arranged by means of
lever to explode cap at a time indicated
by a dial.
When We got within half a mile of CITY
Point told billiard to remain behind while
went forward with my machine I went
out on the wharf cautiously put nv hox
GOWN ana TOOK a seat on it, awaiting an OBJ
poituhe moment to get it aboard d vessel.
mere We're two boats at the wharf loaded
with ammunition and various stores for the
federal troops. while on the bank we're
buildings stored with Supplies
sat waiting until | saw the captain
OF the vessel nearest to me leave his boat
Ihat was my opportunity l picked IN tho
boX OF powder ard started for the boot
AS | reached the edge of the wharf thn
sentry nailed me. He was a German and
could not speak word of English He
Nocllerated something at me in German
while L rejoined in broad Scotch EinaII1
by means of signs | induced him to LET mo
approach the vessel. Just then a negro an
rear at the side of the ship. | gave hin,
the box and told him the captain said m,t
IL Gown below until he came. The man
took it without question and carried -
down While | went off little distance
in an hours time the exDIosion 90
Cured 1t was terrific Its effect was
communicated to the other vessel and also
to the large building on the wharf filed
tar1>
myself was terribly shocked by the OK
pioslcn but was not injured permanently
DIlaru' my companion, rendered deaf
by the explosion and never recovered
from its effects
Tho scene, though terrific was in some
respects ludicrous. The air was filled with
ali sorts of munitions of war Army cod
oieS cafeered through the air as though
playing leaptrog. while headless bodies
arms, legs, and heads of the ,nfortunate
y Is ha,,
The official report of the enemy was that
% men were killed and 1926 wounded. but I
think that this estimate was too low They
also reported that property TO the amount
OF Si,Ot0,G00 was destroyed.
There is one thing ONLY that T raorat
ana that is, according to the report of the
enemy, a party of ladies was killed OF
course we never intended anything of the
KIND, not being aware of their presence
rms said Capt. Maxwell, going to a
trunk ana taking out a small package
contains the mate to the machine which
blew up City Point. OF course that ma
chime was wrecked in the explosion l had
two of Them
The little machine exhibited b,- Govt
Maxwell was an arrangement of cog wheels
much Resembling the works of a clock On
the top was dial. \ lever controlled by n
strong spring was released at a certain time
and exploded q cap tiXeu nipple, upon
the end of tube, through which the fire
was communicated to the charge of powder.
From a box on the mantlepiece Capt
Maxwell took a cap which he has had ever
since the war and pla ced it on the nipple.
He sprung the lever, and the cap was ex-
ploded with deafening noise.
Capt. Maxwell was born 90 years ago in
the Highlands of Scotland. He went to
Glasgow when quite young and spent the
early part of his life there. When a young
man he came to the United States. At that
time he was a splendid-lookng specimen Of
easily. AS young man Capt. Maxwell
stood full six feet in height, with broad,
square shoulders black hair, mustache, and
whiskers. For two years after coming to
the United States Capt. Maxwell was on
board the steamer Niagara, engaged in Law
ing the first Atlantic cable. Later he went
on an expedition to Africa
When the war came he was living in
Martinsburg, Va. and at once enlisted in
the army fourth sergeant m the Wise
artillery, commanded by Capt Alburtis
On April s. 1863. he was detached from the
artillery branch of the service and en-
tered the secret service in the Confederate
navy. He was acting IN thar capacity,
with the rank of captain. when he caused
the explosion at City Point.
Another daring deed done by Capt. Max
well during his connection with the secret
service. was his attempt to destroy the
Monitor, which was sent down to check
the destructive work Of the Mcrrimac He
left Richmond with some torpedoes in
vented by a man named McEvCy. Capt
Maxwell had little faith in the torpedoes
for their construction was faulty, but he
ooeyed his orders In the darkness of
the night he swan out to the Monitor ana
affixed one to each side. AS he had feared
there was no explosion. When morning
came and the crew Of the Monitor dis
covered the torpedoes they were seized
with terror and hosted signals OF distress
Sixteen war vessels Of the enemy were