ed in Continental papers. They were visited by
many distinguished civil and military gentlemen, both native and
foreign.

The great extent of the Powder Works and their immense capabilities,
were the admiration of all visitors. This was mainly due to the
foresight of the President of the Confederacy, who, comprehending the
requirements of a great war, then scarcely commenced, strongly drew my
attention to the probable necessity of very large supplies of gunpowder
to meet the service of artillery of great calibre, which would probably
be employed, as well as the largely increased quantities necessary to
meet the rapid firing of the improved small arms, with which infantry
and cavalry were now supplied.

The daily product of the Works varied with the demand for gunpowder, and
with the amount of saltpetre on hand. At no time after their completion
were they worked to their full capacity; indeed, were only worked during
daylight. Even when supplying the urgent call of General Ripley at
Charleston for cannon powder, to replace the twenty-two thousand pounds
consumed during the action with the iron-clad fleet; two days' work
nearly supplied that amount.

Notwithstanding the admirable serving of the heavy artillery at Fort
Sumter during that engagement, it would have fallen and Charleston
captured, had any but the strongest gunpowder been used. The armor of
the iron-clads, though constructed expressly to withstand the heaviest
charges and projectiles, gave way before its propelling force. Mr. Davis
makes the statement that the engagement between the Alabama and
Kearsarge would have resulted in a victory for the former, had Admiral
Semmes been supplied with the powder from these works. Any failure in
their construction and products would have rested with myself. A carte
blanche had been given, and there was no one to share the appalling
responsibility.

There were made at the Confederate Powder Works at Augusta, commencing
April 10, 1862, and terminating April 18, 1865, 2,750,000 pounds, or one
thousand, three hundred and seventy-five tons of gunpowder. This was
distributed throughout the Confederacy, mostly east of the Mississippi
river. There remained on hand, at the Magazine, at the end of
operations, about seventy thousand pounds, besides considerable amounts
of saltpetre and other material.

The Navy Department during the war established a manufactory of
gunpowder at Petersburg, Virginia, which was afterwards removed