Gunpowder for the South.
--Apprehension has been frequently expressed lest the supply of powder at the South might prove inadequate to the demands of a protracted war. The apprehension, we think, is groundless; for, independent of whatever supply of the manufactured article or of the raw material may now be on hand, the elementary substances of which gunpowder is made, can be extracted in exhaustless amounts from our own soil and forests. It is well known by our older citizens, that in early times the settlers made their own powder from materials easily obtained. The numerous caves of this region abound in nitrous earth, and in many of them nitre has been made in large quantities. If crude sulphate cannot be obtained in sufficient quantity in our cities, the sulphurets of copper and iron in East Tennessee can furnish an unlimited supply. Our willow, linwood and other trees can furnish the best charcoal.In this connection we will state that an enterprise has already been set on foot, having in view the production of gunpowder material. Messrs. G. W. Rice, John F. Anderson and John D. Borin, have leased the celebrated Sauta Cave in Jackson county, Alabama, and are making extensive preparations for the production of nitre on a large scale. It is also the intention of these gentlemen to extend their operations to include the manufacture of powder. This enterprise we regard as judicious, patriotic, and we doubt not will prove highly remunerative.
The powder mill near Nashville is in vigorous operation, and we expect to hear of many similar establishments springing up magically throughout the South, so that, instead of experiencing a want of this necessary element of warfare, we will in fact have enough and to spare.--Chattanooga Advertiser.
