Description:

CONFEDERATE RHYME LAMPOONS MAKING GUNPOWDER FROM WOMEN'S URINE!
A great immediately post-war piece of ephemera, a printed leaflet, 2.75 x 6.25 in., [np. n.d.], titled ‘Confederate War Verses', and reading, in full: ‘During the war between the States Capt. John Haralson was placed in charge of a Nitre Bureau at Selma, Alabama, to make saltpetre [used in producing gunpowder] for the use of the Confederate States[.] In order to get material for his purpose he advertised in the Selma Times that he wished all the families in town to save the the slops from their chambers and that he would send a wagon around every morning to collect them. A witty Naval officer seeing the advertisement wrote the following: John Haralson! John Haralson! You are a funny creature, You've given to this cruel war A new and curious feature. You seem to think while every man Is bound to be a fighter, The women, bless their pretty souls, Should be put to making nitre. John Haralson! John Haralson! Where did you get the notion. Of sending all around the town To gather up this lotion. We thought the girls had work enough In making love and kissing, But you would set the pretty dears To patriotic p[issin]g. John Haralson! John Haralson! Can't you invent a neater. And somewhat less immoral mode Of making your saltpetre? The thing is very queer you know, Gunpowder-like and cranky, That when a woman lifts her shift She shoots a cursed yankee.' Evenly toned overall, with small stains at the top and bottom left corners, and slight paper loss at top left, otherwise in very good condition.

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November 14, 2025 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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