The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1898-04-30

az hScSht alsaSter TO The Maine re- |
calls a tragic incident in the late war, |
when 100000 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. |
8, 1854, at City Point. The man who,
acting under instructions from the
Confederate states government, caused
the terrible havoc is Capt John Max
well, well-known machinist, who re-
sides at 318 North Twenty-seventh
street, Richmond, Va. Capt. Maxwell
gives the following account of his ex-
periences: Il left Richmond on the
26th of July, 1864, to operate with what
was known as the Theological torpedo
against the vessels of the federal forces
navigating the James river Mr.. R. K.
billiard, since dead, was with me. He
was we'll acquainted with the river,
and would go anywhere led, no mat
ter 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
that place, intending, if possible, to in
troduce our machine upon one OF the
vessels disoharging their cargoes there.
We reached City Point before day
break on Aug. 8, having travelled most
ly by night and Crawled upon our
knees to pass the picket lines. had
with me an ordinary candle box con-
tanning twelve pounds of gunpowder,
procured at a country store. In the
box was packed small machine, my
own invention, which was arranged
by means Of lever to explode cap
at time indicated by dial When we
| got within half a mile of City Point
! told billiard to remain behind while
went forward with my machine. went
out on the wharf cautiously, put my
box down and took seat on it, await
ing an opportune moment to get it
aboard vessel There were two boats
at the wharf loaded with ammunition
and various stores for the federal
| troops, while on the bank were build
ings stored with supplies. sat wait
ing until saw the captain of the YES
sci nearest to me leave his boat. That
was my opportunity. picked up the
box of powder and started for the
boat. AS l reached the edge of the
wharf the sentry hailed me. He was
a German and could not speak word
of English. He vociferated something
at me in German, while rejoined in
broad Scotch. Finally by means OF
signs 1 induced him to let me ap-
| proach the vessel. Just then negro
appeared at the side of the ship.
gave him the box and told him the
captain said put it down below until
he came. The man took it without
question and carried it down while
went off little distance. In an hours
time the explosion occurred. 1t wal
terrific. It's effect was communicated
to the other vessel and also to thu
large building on the wharf, filleC
with stores, and all we're destroyed ut
terly. I myself was terribly shocked
by the explosion, but was not injured
permanently. billiard, my companion
4 was rendered deaf by the explosion
} and never recovered from it's effects
The scene, though terrific, was in som
respects ludicrous. The air was fille'
with all sorts of munitions of war
ARMY saddles careered through the al
as though playing leap-frog, Will
headless bodies, arms, legs, and head
of the unfortunate crew flew in rag
ments about in the smoke. The ON
ciaI report of the enemy was that nifty
eight men were killed and 126 wound
ed hut I think that this estimate wa
too low. They also reported that prop
ertv to the amount of $4,0O0,OOO wa
DESTROYED. There is one thing onl
that / regret and that is, according
the report of the enemy, party G
ladies was killed. OF course, we neVe
intended anything of the kind, not be
ing aware of their presence. This, sal
a Cant. Maxwell, going to trunk, an
+ taking out small package, contain
e the mate to the machine which Die
y I'M City Point. OF course, that machln
e was wrecked in the explosion. ma
IS two of them made" The little me
b chine exhibited by Capt. Maxwell wa
q an arrangement of cog wheels muc
IS resembling the works of a clock. y
n the TON was a dial. A lever controlle
u nv a strong spring was released at
e certain time and exploded cap hxe
I on a nipple, upon the end of tub
h through which the fire was commun
o Gated to the charge of powder. Fro
Il a box in the mantelpiece Capt. MAJ
well took cap which he has had eV'
IS since the war and placed it on II
nipple. He sprung the lever, and ii
can was exploded with deafenir
noise. Capt. Maxwell was born sixt
e. r.nnrn agn in the Highlands