Rain’s Subterra Shells
Gabriel Rain’s bears the dubious honor of introducing landmines during the Civil War, during the Peninsula Campain. His Subterra shells used as land mines and booby traps created a bit of a challenge for Union forces. Click here for an article about Rains and his explosives work. http://maic.jmu.edu/JOURNAL/6.1/notes/robbins/robbins.htm
Rain’s deadly hanywork was put to use at Battery Wagner to fend off the attack by the 54th Massachusett- Rain’s Subterra shells were pressed into service as immense hand grenades. This along with a heavily entrenched position helps explain the terrible loss of live in the 54th, whose service is recounted in the movie Glory.
June 14, 2009 at 6:04 am
I’d recommend the book “Infernal Machines – The Story of Confederate Submarine and Mine Warfare” by Milton F. Perry for more on the subterra shells, coal torpedoes, submarines, rams, etc.