The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-05

Is known to comparatively few people
by that title, but he probably killed
more of the enemy at one brilliant
stroke. and destroyed more of their
property, than any other one soldier
who fought In the Civil War.
Captain John Maxwell Is his name,
and ut his quarters In Union Cottage
Soldiers Home, he told yesterday how
he gave the little river city the big
gest shock Of It's existence. He was
by rank a sailing master In the navy,
and by occupation secret service man
of very privileged character. who spent
more his time within the enemy's
lines than within his own. and who
generally notified his commander what
he was going to do, and then went
ahead and did II without waiting for,
Il reply.
Having heard that the Federal troops
were landing large quantities of am
munition at City Point, Captain Max
we'll who Is or IRrge imagina-
ton. began to plan how he might de-
stroy II all at one fell swoop. Being
a mechanic, he first designed and built
machine. or rather two OF them. for
he showed the duplicate TO the re-
porter last night.
1t consists in set Of clockworks
which. at given hour, will release a
striking pin. which VIII strike a per-
cussion cap. This explodeB the pow
der in short barrel. Tho whole Is
put In the centre of box containing
about twelve pounds Of powder.
Captain Maxwell set out for City
Point from Richmond on July IS. 1863.
with his internal machine and Il.
* billiard as companion. Travelling
mostly by night and with great eau
ton. they reached City Point the after
noon of August Q. a spectacle calcu-
lated to fire their ambition met their
eyes. The docks were aswarm with
Federals, and two great barges lay ut
anchor, from which tons OF ammuni
! ton. to destroy Confederate troops.
were being unloaded and stored In the
warehouses on the wharves!
Guarded Dangerous BoI.
Captain Maxwell had large repu
tation. ut that time, for his ability to
go anywhere without being caught, so
he left his companion about mile
from the town. and taking his deadly
| box on his shoulder, all wound and
! primed to go or in about two hours.
| set out for the Federal camp. lie crept
: through the east picket line on his
hands and knees. managing the big
| box with some difficulty. but snce in
| aide. he boldly shouldered II and
walked toward the wharf. He was
ressed as a plain citizen, and attract
ed no attention.
Seeing the Federal captain leave one
OF the iges, he Judged that the right
across the wharf. lie told the sentry
that the captain had sent him TO the
boat with this box. and the sentry
fell for It." Another soldier met him
at the rail, and TO him Captain Max
we'll intrusted his precious box. tell
ing the man to he sure and take good
care of II. Then he retired about
mile from the town. rejoincd his COM
panion and awaited developments.
| They came with a vengeance. The
explosion of the box exploded the two
barges and the wharf warehouses
Fifty eight -Federals were killed and
126 wounded. while property to the
amount Of 100000 was destroyed.
CAPTAIN Maxwell. a mile away. was n
good deal shaken up. and his companion
| was made permanently deaf.
1T was considerably bigger blow
| up than I had figured on" said the
captain last night.
The enemy Eever found out what
hat struck chem until after the war.
Captain Maxwell made an Immediate
report of the matter to headquarters
| and was highly commended for his ex-
plot
Many Women Killed.
A party Of women. attached to the
I Federal camp. wore fishing In the river
when the explosion occurred. and all
Of these were reported drowned. The
bitter spirit of the times was we'll
! illustrated in the comment made by
Captain Maxwell in his report upon
| this incident.
1T saddens me to realize that the
! terrible effects of war induce such con-
! sequences" he wrote, but when I re-
| member the ordeals through which our
| women have passed. and the barbarity
| of the enemy's crusade against them
| and us. my feelings are relieved ny
the reflection that, while this catastro-'
phe was not intended by us, 1t amount
| ed. in tho providence Of God. to just
! retaliation
There are probably few men that
| have had more adventurous lives than
| Captain Maxwell. He is native Of
| Scotland, and has been a soldier from
early manhood. He carries In his