the utmost energy was required to prevent the loss of a
battle by failure in ammunition. General Johnson's command was the most
urgent in its wants, hence required the first attention.

The State of Tennessee, through the energy of Governor Harris, and its
Military Committee consisting of General Harding and Colonel Bailey, had
at the earliest moment taken measures to supply his army by making
contracts for saltpetre, to be supplied from the limestone caves, and
with the Sycamore Powder Mill, not far from Nashville, which was to be
enlarged and put into immediate operation. These contracts were turned
over to the Confederate Government on my arrival in that city, and every
assistance possible given by the State authorities. Mr. S. D. Morgan, a
private citizen of Nashville, but a gentleman of great energy and
influence, rendered essential service to the officers of the
Confederacy. The Sycamore Stamping Mill was soon put into operation, but
its limited arrangements, particularly for preparing the saltpetre,
caused the product to be small. Notwithstanding the rapid construction
of new stampers, and other parts, it was only in the latter part of
September that five hundred pounds of powder daily were produced.

It was soon perceived that to increase the supply, a special refinery
for saltpetre would have to be erected; works accordingly were
projected, commenced, and mainly completed, at Nashville, by the 9th
October, on which day 1,500 lbs. were refined, and this amount was
gradually increased to 3,000 lbs. daily. Experts were not to be found,
and for some days every part of the operations were carried on under my
personal instruction.

Gunpowder contains three-fourths of its weight of saltpetre, and to have
its proper and enduring strength, this constituent must be refined to
almost chemical purity. Thus the obtaining of this material and its
preparation, became matters of the highest consideration.

The Governor of Georgia, at the suggestion of Lieutenant Boggs, late of
the Ordnance Department of the old army, had purchased a small cargo of
saltpetre and sulphur in Philadelphia, which fortunately arrived safely
at Savannah just before that port was blockaded. This store of material,
although comparatively small, was of extraordinary value, as from it
mainly the gunpowder for General A. S. Johnson's army was supplied, as
well as the Batteries at Fort Pillow, Island Number 10, and Memphis, on
the Mississippi river.