The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-03-16
BLEW UP A WAR SHIP.
Capt. Maxwell Caused the Famous City
Point Explosion.
Nc,o York Sa.7a.


cent disaster to the Maine recalls a
tragic incident in the late war, when
81, 100000 worth Of property Of the
Federal Government was destroyed,
and the lives of more than half hum
dred men were lost, while 1876 we're
wounded. This event occurred on
August 9, 1864, at City Point. The
man who, acting under instructions
from the Confederate States Govern
ment, caused the terrible havoc is
Capt John Maxwell, a well-known ma
chinist, who resides at 31S North 9th
street, in this city. Capt. Maxwell
gives the following account Of his ex-
periences
II left Richmond on the Goth Of
July, 1864, to operate with what was
known as the theological torpedo
against the vessels Of the Federal for
ces navigating the James River. Mr.
R. X. billiard, since dead, was with
me. He was we'll acquainted with the
river, and would go anywhere [ led, no
matter what the danger might be.
When we reached the Isle of Wight
County on August 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.
eve reached City Point before day
break on August 8, having travelled
mostly 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 country store. In the
box was packed small machine, my
own invention, which was arranged by
means of lever to explode cap at a
time indicated by a dial.
"When we got within half mile Of
City Poirt I told billiard to remain in
behind while I went forward with my
machine. l went out on the wharf
cautiously, put my box down and took
seat on it, awaiting an opportune
moment to get it aboard vessel.
There we're two boats at the wharf
loaded with ammunition and various
stores for the Federal troops, while on
the bank were buildings stored with
supplies.
II sat waiting until / saw the cap
tain of the vessel nearest to me leave
his boat. That was my opportunity.
I picked up the box Of powder and
started for the boat. AS I reached
the edge of the wharf the sentry hail
ed me. He was German and could
not speak a word of English. He
vociferated something at me in Ger
man, while | rejoined in broad Scotch.
Finally by means Of signs I induced
him to let me approach the vessel.
Just then negro appeared at the side
of the ship. 1 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 I went off a little dis
tance.
;'In an hours time the explosion
occurred. 1t was terrific. Its effect
was communicated to the other ves-
sells and also to the large building on
the wharf, filled with stores, and all
were destroyed utterly. | myself was
terribly shocked by the explosion, but
was not injured permanently Dill
lard, my companion, was rendered
deaf by the explosion and never re-
covered from it's effects.
"The scene, though terrific, was in
some respects ludicrous. The air was
filled with all sorts of munitions Of
war. Army saddles careered through
the air as though playing leap-frog,
while headless bodies, arms, legs and
heads of the unfortunate crew flew in
fragments about in the smoke. The
official report of the enemy vas that
IS men were killed and 126 wounded,
bus | think that this estimate was toe
low. They also reported that property
to the amount of 81, ,O8O, ,e0a was de-
stroyed.
There is one thing oaly that To-
sret and that is, according to the re-
pegt Of the enemy, u party Of ladies
was killed. Of course. We never in
tended anything Of the kind, not being
aware Of their presence.
This. said Capt. Maxwell, going
to trunk and taking out small
package, contains the mate of the
machine which blew up CITY Point