The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #24089   Message #4173705
Posted By: Jack Horntip
02-Jun-23 - 09:19 PM
Thread Name: Lyr ADD: Chamber Lye / John Harloson's Saltpeter
Subject: ADD: Rebel Gunpowder
REBEL GUNPOWDER.

[From the Sema (Ala.) Sentinel of Oct. 1, 1863.]

"The Ladies of Selma are rspectfully requested
to preserve all their chamber ley collected about
their premises, for the purpose of making 'Nitre.'
Wagons, with barrels, will be sent around for it by
the subscriber.

[Signed,]          JOHN HARROLSON,
Agent of Nitre and Mining Bureau.

John Harrolson! John Harrolson!
You are a funny creature;
You've given to this cruel war
A new and curious feature.
You'd have us think while ev'ry man
Is bount to be a fighter,
The women, (bless the pretty dears,)
Should be put to making nitre.

John Harrolson! John Harrolson!
How could you get the notion
To send your barrels 'round the town
To gather up the lotion.
We think the girls do work enough
In making love and kissing
But you'll now put the pretty dears
To patriotic pissing!

John Harrolson! John Harrolson!
Could you not invent a meter [sic],
Or some less immodest mode
Of making our salt-petre?
The thing, it is so queer, you know--
Gunpowder, line the crankey--
That when a lady lifts her shift
She shoots a bloody Yankee.

John Harrolson! John Harrolson!
Whate're was your intention,
You've made another contraband
Of things we hate to mention.
What good will all our fighting do,
If Yanks search Venus' mountains,
And confiscate and carry off
These Southern nitre fountains!


Undated broadside [1865?]. See online here:

https://wakespace.lib.wfu.edu/handle/10339/345