I'm looking for sources on the quality of gunpowder from Mexico. The Confederate forces in Indian Territory reportedly obtained gunpowder via San Antonio that came from Mexico. I assume it was manufactured in Mexico, as opposed to another source that was routed through Mexico to get around the blockade.

Confederates complained that their rifles did not have the range of the Union rifles, stating for example, that they Union troops were firing at them across the Arkansas River but they could see their own rounds splash in the water. At the Battle of Honey Springs, July 17, 1863, the weather was damp and rainy and the Confederates said the dampness turned their Mexican gunpowder into "paste" and caused many misfires. It appears they may have had gunpowder from another source which did not have this problem. There was speculation that the gunpowder originated from the US to undermine Confederate

There are many references to the poor quality of Mexican gunpowder during the Texas Revolution and the Mexican War. At the Alamo, the Texans said their supply of Mexican gunpowder was virtually worthless and discarded it. During the Mexican War, the US troops commented on the 'under-powered' artillery of the Mexicans due to the poor quality of their gunpowder, stating the Mexican solid shot bounced along the ground and was dodged by the US troops. One secondary source said the powder had too much charcoal. Another said too much charcoal and sulfur. On the presumption that in either case it means 'not enough saltpeter', that would explain the 'power' problem since saltpeter (potassium nitrate) supplies the oxygen for a fast burn. Of course, these events are over 15 years prior to the Civil War.

A difference in the ratio of components could explain the 'power' problem. The dampness problem may come from another cause. I've wondered if the Mexican gunpowder was made as too fine a powder or the grains broke down into a fine powder which made it much more susceptible to humidity.

Any help would be appreciated.

Ken