June 15, 1863, Menphis Daily Appeal (Atlanta, Ga)
You can very materially assist the Government of your choice in its struggle against the Northern despotism.
Every house, cowshed or other building, that has stood for ten or more years, has under it large quantities of saltpeter, which is contained in the earth that has been kept dry.
The Government urgently calls upon you for a further exercise of your patriotism. You have done much already, but all must keep their energies strained to the utmost, until the enemy ceases his endeavors to subjugate us, and we are blessed with peace, under our own victorious flag.
You have it in your power to hasten the much desired result, by reducing the saltpeter that is under your houses and bringing it into market. The fixtures required amount to but very little, the process is easy and the labor light. Your boys under eighteen can thus be made as useful as their older brothers who are baring their breasts to the storm of war.
All necessary information will be furnished upon application to the offices of the Nitre and Mining Bureau, at Athens, McMinnville, Shellmound, or in this city.
The bureau officers in charge at the above points, will also purchase from you all the saltpeter you can bring, at seventy-five cents per pound.
F. H. Smith, Capt.
Assistant Superintendent N. & M. Bureau.