I had a reenacting acquaintance who was also the NMLRA rep in texas back in the70's. Deceased now. But he had several kegs of powder that the Republic of Texas purchased in the early 1840's. They came out of Galveston. And were of US mfg.
Holy Kshizzle! How did THOSE get by unfired? Between Indian raids, the Mexican War and the War Between the States one would think powder woulda been in demand.
Birdwatcher
Probably the same way they occasionally find 80 year old ordnance stored away in some half forgotten bunker on this or that post or former post. It got put there and was forgotten about. Some supply sergeant squirreled it away in case it was ever needed and it never was.
Louisiana is still dealing with disposing of 6 million pounds of artillery propellant store out in the open at Camp Minden.
