 The federal government purchased as much powder as Oriental Powder Company could produce through the war years.Wartime production included large cast hexagonal powder grains for Rodman guns; and an Columbiad was installed at Gambo to test this specialized powder.Production increased to 1250 tons per year as accidental explosions killed one employee on 8 July 1861, three on 7 July 1862, and another on 14 November 1863.