GDG- RE: Du Pont, Augusta, etc.

[Schmidt, James]

"DuPont was making over half the nations powder at the outset of the
war. In 
the early 19th century it had pioneered powder making in North America, 
introducing seminal changes in manufacturing and distribution, as well
as 
formula..."

Great questions and posts by Greg, Jack, Tom, etc as regards gunpowder
manufacture.

Just wanted to let everyone know that duPont will be featured in my
forthcoming book: "Lincoln's Labels: America's Best Known Brands and the
Civil War" (Edinborough Press, Spring 2008).

The story of the whole company and family during the Civil War is
immense, so I mainly concentrate on goings-on at the mills and
specifically the contributions of Lammot du Pont.  I got great
cooperation from the folks at duPont's Hagley Museum and Library.
Indeed, one of the more interesting aspects are the explosions that took
place...and more than forty workmen gave their lives in those
explosions.

It's also important to look beyond rifles and cannon when thinking of
powder in the war...what were "peactime" consideartions - blasting for
coal and precious metals became extremely important military
enterprises, and I quote from some period correspondence between agents
in California and Ohio begging for powder so they can keep the gunboats
stoked w/ coal and the treasury w/ gold.

Best Regards,

Jim Schmidt



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