Accidental Explosion.

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Now that you mention it, you are correct, it was purported to be sabotage, but was never proven. Maxwell, the alleged saboteur admitted his "feat" when, in 1868, the Patent Office refused to see him, he then went to Grant's aide Orville Babcock to see if he could obtain assistance. He referenced the act at City Point and Babcock having been at City Point, on Grant's staff that day agreed that Maxwell had been successful.

The act to this day is still listed as accidental, but maybe hushed to hide the security failing near Grant's HQ.

 

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I was reading through one of my books earlier today and I stumbled upon a short article about an accidental explosion of a box of 3000 small arms cartridges in a tent of the 3rd New York Volunteers, the article describes that this type of accident happened frequently with undisciplined troops. Unfortunately the article doesn't go into any great depth. I was wondering if there are any further articles on this subject and also is the article correct in stating that 'that this type of accident happened frequently with undisciplined troops'.

I am a little suspect, generally long arm ammunition was boxed in quantities of 1,000 rounds and pistol was boxed in quantity of 600 rounds. Maybe there were 3 boxes involved? I guess pipe or cigar ash over an opened crate could easily cause such an event, but don't know if it would be compressed enough to cause an explosion. Black powder is very volatile, but usually flashes unless compressed.