...o powder and our means of making it, we had, perhaps, at this time (June 1st, 1861,) 250,000 pounds, chiefly cannon, at Norfolk and in Georgia, and as much more nitre (mainly imported by the State of Georgia ). We had no powder-mills, except the two rude ones just referred to, and no experience in making powder or in getting nitre. All had to be learned. As to a further supply of arms, steps had bee...