The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-03-16

he came to the United States. at
that time he was a splendid looking
specimen Of manhood and ever now
wears his years easily. AS q young
mar Capt Maxwell stood full six feet
in height, with broad, square shout
ders, black hair, mustachc and wills
kers. For two years after coming to
the United States Capt. Maxwell was
on board the steamer Niagara, engaged
in laying the first Atlantic cable.
Later he ven on an expedition to
Africa.
When the war came he was living in
Martinsburg, Va, and at oncc enlisted
in the army as fourth sergeant in the
Wise Artillery, commanded by Capt.
Alburtis. On April 3. 1863, he was
detached from the artillery branch OF
the service and entered the secret
service in the Confederate navy. lie
was acting in that capacity, with the
rank of captain. when he caused the
explosion of the City Point.
Another daring deed done by Capt.
Maxwell during his connection with
the secret service was his attemn. to
destroy the Monitor, which was sent
down to check the destructive work Of
tho Merrimac. He left Richmond
with ONE torpedoes invented by a
man named McEvoy. Capt. Maxwell
had little faith in the torpedoes, for
their construction was faulty, but he
obcycd his orders. In the darkness of
the night he swan out to the Monitor
and affixed one to each side. AS he
had feared, there was no explosion.
When morning came and the crew Of
the Monitor discovered the torpedoes
they were seized with terror and hoist
ed signals of distress.
Sixteen war vessels Of the enemy
we're drawn up in line, extending from
Newport News to the mouth OF the
Elizabeth River. Their boats respond
ed to the signals Of distress and took
off the Crew of the Monitor. The
boats then rowcd around and around
the ironclad, fearing to approach.
Gradually they grew bolder and came
close enough to lasso the torpedoes.
Capt. Maxwell also affixed a torpedo
of a different make to the war ship
Minnesota and exploded the same, but
although the ship was badly shaken,
there was not a sufficient charge to do
her any material damage. After his
adventure at City Point Capt. Max
well went to Ncwberne, n. G., and
while the Federal forces were guard
ing the bridge there fired it in four
places underneath and made his
escape.
He was the inventor of perhaps the
first torpedoes used in the civil war.
a New York paper Of February 20 last
printed pictures Of some old-time tor
pedues, tue same being identical with
those invented by Capt. Maxwell, and
which were made for him during the
war by MIR. Barrett, now living in this
city.
After the wal Capt. Maxwell went
to New York, and while there the fact
that he had blown up the ships at City
Point vas printed in the newspapers.
This created such intense feeling
against him that he left the city. He
then went in the Peruvian navy as a
volunteer, but had yellow fever, and
after his recovery came to Richmond.
where he has lived ever since.
Capt. Maxwell, during his connec-
ton with the Confederate navy, cap
tured four vcssels-thc Titan, the
Jane Dufield, the Iolno and the Mat
tie Parker. He now has the compass
of m of these vessels and the night
glasses Of another.
Tfsa Doe,