Never For Want of Powder: The Confederate Powder Works in Augusta, Georgia

By C. L. Bragg, Charles D. Ross, Gordon A. Blaker, Stephanie A. T. Jacobe and Theodore P. Savas
Illustrated, tables, appendices, notes, bibliography, index, 318 pp., 2007. University of South Carolina Press, 718 Devine St., Columbia, SC 29208, $49.95 ppd.

Reviewer: Dale E. Biever
Dale E. Biever received his M.Ed. in American history from Kutztown University. He is past vice president for administration and former member of the Board of Governors of the Company of Military Historians. A retired educator, he was registrar at the Civil War Library and Museum in Philadelphia.

Review:
This is a unique book with five authors combining their talents into a 318-page work of coffee table size. The advantage of the 14-inch x 11.5-inch pages will be obvious later in this review.

Each of the authors wrote one or more of the 14 chapters to create a story of the development and operation of the Confederacy's primary source of gunpowder.

True to its title, Southern forces in the field continued to be supplied with powder until the last shots were fired in 1865.

The beginning of the Civil War saw the Confederacy with not one major powder mill. Initially relying on previously purchased powder from Northern mills, captured federal arsenals or foreign imports, it became obvious that a major powder manufacturing plant had to be created to sustain the armies in the field.

Early in the war the Confederate government selected George Washington Rains to establish a powder mill that would fulfill the armies' needs. Operating under government carte blanche Rains chose Augusta, Ga., for the manufacturing center. Augusta was deep inside the Confederacy, was served by rail and water, and was available to building supplies and adequate labor.

Construction of the powder works began in the latter part of 1861. The book goes into great detail on the development of various parts of the mill such as the refinery, incorporating mills and mixing house. Along with a staff of able assistants Rains began production of what would be over three million pounds of gunpowder by the end of the war.

Three chapters deal with the production process. Part one covers refining, mixing and incorporating the ingredients. The details on niter, sulfur and charcoal are covered along with their pulverizing and mixing, and related steps.

Part two goes into the numerous steps to "finish" the powder. These including cooling the "mill cake," pressing, granulation, glazing and the final packing and storing of the finished product.

Part three looks at quality control and safety within the Powder Works. The reader will be surprised at the sophistication involved in testing and quality control. Great effort was made to insure safety in the plant. Due to the numerous measures enacted there was never a major accident at Augusta. There is even mention of fireproof clothing being available by the summer of 1863.

The only real danger posed to the Powder Works was the possible capture by Sherman in 1864. Machinery was removed to another location due to the threat, but, surprisingly, Sherman bypassed Augusta, the machinery went back in place and production continued until the end of the war.

An interesting overview of production includes tables on monthly disposition, types and quantities of powder shipped and major receivers. In addition to the powder mill there was a major Confederate arsenal at Augusta, as well as the Government Foundry and Machine Works to produce artillery projectiles.

Several tables show the incredible amount of ammunition leaving these facilities throughout the war. Augusta's Fuse and Rocket Department also produced hand-grenades.

In addition to 46 figures and 11 tables, the book has 75 colored architectural plates of the facilities. Each plate takes up a full page and the detail is most impressive. Three appendices deal with cannon and pistol manufacture at the Foundry and Machine Works, Rains' 1882 address on the history of the powder operations, a report on 1863 ammunition production at Augusta Arsenal and a compilation of known drawings of the powder works and related facilities.

This is a major work for your library. Any doubt as to the Confederacy's ability to create and produce is laid to rest in this book. The technology and innovation of Rains and his staff enabled the Confederacy to maintain its firepower until the final surrenders. Well-bound, well-written and well worth the price.