Does anyone know Capt. John Maxwell? He's the Confederate Explosive Expert that blew-up "City Point" on 9 Aug 1864. It is said he used a "Holological Torpedo", which is a Time -clock.
I'm wondering if this was another of Harney's inventions.

There is the "Ottawa Treaty" that exists, to stop the use of "Torpedoes". ( They call'em IED's.) (Improvised Explosive Devices) The signees agree "not to use, produce, stockpile, transfer, anti personnel mines." As of 2016, 162 countries have joined. 36 countries have not. Not signed: China, Russia, United States.

(05-08-2016 11:30 PM)SSlater Wrote:  Does anyone know Capt. John Maxwell? He's the Confederate Explosive Expert that blew-up "City Point" on 9 Aug 1864. It is said he used a "Holological Torpedo", which is a Time -clock.
I'm wondering if this was another of Harney's inventions.

There is the "Ottawa Treaty" that exists, to stop the use of "Torpedoes". ( They call'em IED's.) (Improvised Explosive Devices) The signees agree "not to use, produce, stockpile, transfer, anti personnel mines." As of 2016, 162 countries have joined. 36 countries have not. Not signed: China, Russia, United States.

Hi:

I know of him, but nothing about him. He was assisted in his bombing at City Point by one R. K. Dillard. A horological torpedo is more accurately described as a time-bomb rather than a time-clock. It may have been invented by Harney, an explosives expert about whom it was said that wherever he went, Union casualties were sure to follow, but anyone in the Torpedo Bureau of the Confederate Secret Service may have invented it. The Bureau, which was a division of the Confederate Secret Service, was under the command of Gabriel Rains. Maybe he invented it. Another possibility is that it was already in existence prior to the war, having been invented at an earlier time in connection with a different war, domestic or foreign.

John

John Maxwell - we got him!
See: "The South's Headless hero" by Melisa Scott Sinclair.
Born Paisley Scotland. The info came from his G G Grandson. Alan Kinker. Maxwell enlisted April 19, 1861, in Wise's Artillery, eventually worked under Zebekiah McDaniel,, in the Secret Service (Who he? - now I have to find him.)
The story describes Maxwell and his life. He had a weird sense of humor. (He sent a picture of himself, with his head cut off, to the police.) This might help http:// www. styleweekly. com. (YUCK!)

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(05-13-2016 11:28 PM)SSlater Wrote:  John Maxwell - we got him!
See: "The South's Headless hero" by Melisa Scott Sinclair.
Born Paisley Scotland. The info came from his G G Grandson. Alan Kinker. Maxwell enlisted April 19, 1861, in Wise's Artillery, eventually worked under Zebekiah McDaniel,, in the Secret Service (Who he? - now I have to find him.)
The story describes Maxwell and his life. He had a weird sense of humor. (He sent a picture of himself, with his head cut off, to the police.) This might help http:// www. styleweekly. com. (YUCK!)

The "http;//" thing, didn't work. Google the "The South's Headless Hero, etc.

I was curious if Grant wrote of the explosion. He did. He sent a telegram to Henry Halleck saying:

"Five minutes ago an ordnance boat exploded, carrying lumber, grape, canister, and all kinds of shot over this point. Every part of the yard used as my headquarters is filled with splinters and fragments of shell. I do not know yet what the casualties are beyond my own headquarters. Colonel Babcock is slightly wounded in hand and 1 mounted orderly is killed and 2 or 3 wounded and several horses killed. The damage at the wharf must be considerable in both life and property. As soon as the smoke clears away I will ascertain and telegraph you."

At the time I think Grant thought it was an accident.

Here's the link:
http://m.styleweekly.com/richmond/the-so...id=1361218

"Reminds me of a song": https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=c93n53XSf2A

(05-14-2016 07:49 AM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  Here's the link:
http://m.styleweekly.com/richmond/the-so...id=1361218

"Reminds me of a song": https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=c93n53XSf2A

I am so glad that I asked about Maxwell. Thanx, Eva. I was looking in the same place where you found your information, but I missed it.
You didn't happen to see anything about Zeb McDaniel, in your search? (I should be so lucky!).