WREATH LAID AT MARKER FOR WAXAHACHIE CIVIL WAR GUN POWDER MILL

On Jan. 19,  to honor Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s birthday, members of O.M. Roberts Camp, Parsons Brigade, Heroes Services Coalition, Veterans Appreciation, Texas Civil Defense, and Veterans for Christ, all of Ellis County, laid a wreath at The Powder Mill in Waxahachie to honor all veterans serving in all United States wars.

The Powder Mill made gunpowder for the Confederacy during the Civil War.

After recuperating from war wounds, military officials assigned a local Confederate solder, Private David Carey Nance, Co. E, “Ellis County Grays”, Parsons 12th Texas Calvary, to work there.

On April 29, 1863, the mill was destroyed by an explosion and its owner killed. Also killed was Joshua G. Phillips

In the explosion, Private Nance was blown out of the building and severely burned. He survived by jumping into a water well.

Nance recovered and rejoined Parsons Brigade for the duration of the war.