Man has another day to swell the past, and lead him near to little, but his last. Orphaned at an early age, he moved to georgetown, dc to live with his uncle and later attended charlotte hall military academy. Raphael semmes confederate naval officer britannica. This is a short version of semmes own book, which is a little over 800 pages.
Raphael semmes was an officer in the confederate navy during the american civil war. The enduring legacy of rear admiral raphael semmes is that his actions of the american civil war are still studied around the world to this present day. Known as the nelson of the confederacy for his daring exploits, semmes rallied the hopes of alabamians and other southerners during the waning days of the civil war. Graduated and commissioned ensign on 2 june 1938, he subsequently advanced in rank. The book alternates among the history of a southern ship stopping and sinking northern ships, rants against the north for trying to keep states from seceding, and scientific explanations for winds and currents. The body of raphael semmes is interred in the old catholic cemetery, mobile in alabama. Raphael semmes, american confederate naval officer whose daring raids in command of the manofwar alabama interfered with union merchant shipping during the middle two years of the american civil war 186165. The cruise of the alabama and the sumter by raphael semmes. In one of the great feats in the history of naval warfare, he took his swift commerce raider, the css alabama, on a 22month rampage through the atlantic and indian oceans, hunting union merchant vessels. Civil war rear admiral raphael semmes copy of portrait. The citizens of mobile presented semmes with what became known as the raphael semmes house in 1871, and it remained his residence until his death.
To link to this object, paste this link in email, im or document to embed this object, paste this html in website. Flowers in the valley, splendour in the beam, health on the gale, and freshness in the stream. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. The books about these cruises cover semmes somewhat but are focused on the voyages. Navy and was commissioned a commander in the confederate navy. The pair most likely framed in the past show a 10 by 7 albumen and autograph as brigadier general which would make it early war from 18612 clipped signature from a document mounted on a card. Raphael semmes and the confederate navy abbeville institute. Excellent condition ink signature on 4 14 x 2 58 card raphael semmes. From the private journals and papers of commander r. It is probable that no individual naval commander nor any single ship in our long history has recorded a more spectacular success in that field than captain raphael semmes of the confederate navy and his c. During the mexican war, he commanded the brig uss somers in the gulf of mexico. Some of the holdings are books in the library in salt lake city. Next he took command of css alabama, an englishbuilt raider, and terrorized u. We publish herewith a portrait of the famous pirate raphael semmes, now in command of the british pirateship alabama.
Read raphael semmes s biography, works and quotes online for free. During the american civil war he was captain of the famous commerce raider css alabama, taking a record sixtynine prizes. He outfitted css sumter in 1861 and captured 18 union merchant ships in six months before the raider was blockaded at gibraltar. The cruise of the alabama and the sumter, from the private journals and other papers of. Harwood concerning the fate of his slave, jake, who had been convicted of a capital crime. Raphael semmes september 27, 1809 august 30, 1877 was an officer in the united states navy from 1826 to 1860 and the confederate states navy from 1860 to 1865. Raphael semmes was born in charles county, maryland on 27th september, 1809. He died in 1877 and was interred in mobiles old catholic cemetery. Raphael semmes books list of books by author raphael semmes. The granite base will have a large basrelief and a bronze tablet. He distinguished himself in the mexican war as a commander in the u. In his inaugural address as president of the provisional government of the confederate states on 18 february 1861, jefferson davis said, i. He was born september 28, 1919 in grenada to raphael and catherine jennings semmes.
Semmes was a united states air force veteran serving in the pacific theatre during world war ii. Spencer and twelve others signed a resolution announcing the failure of. After the war, semmes wrote a book about his experiences. Guide to history collections in mobile admiral raphael semmes. The roxy letters author recommends these 10 uplifting. Raphael semmes semmes, raphael, 18091877 a wikipedia article about this author is available semmes, raphael, 18091877.
Raphael passed away on month day 1918, at age 68 at death place, alabama. Raphael semmes and the alabama civil war campaigns and. Genealogy profile for raphael semmes raphael semmes 1786 1846 genealogy genealogy for raphael semmes 1786 1846 family tree on geni, with over 200. The electrifying story of raphael semmes and the css alabama, the. Books by raphael semmes author of memoirs of service afloat. During the american civil war he was captain of the famous commerce raider css alabama, taking a record fiftyfive prizes. Foreword commerce raiding has always been a recognized and accepted method of sea warfare. Raphael semmes biography, quotes, works and writings.
He was promoted to captain and assumed command of the c. He was born into a family of servicemen as he was cousins with confederate general paul jones semmes and union navy captain alexander alderman semmes. This man was once in our navy, and acquired an unenviable reputation for bad conduct, which prevented his rising in the service. Semmes and many of the rest of the crew are dramatically rescued by the english yacht, deerhound, and make their way to england. Jan 22, 2019 he was elected county judge in 1882, and held the office one term. Rear admiral raphael semmes 18091877 was an officer in the united states navy from 1826 to 1860 and the confederate states navy from 1860 to 1865. A detailed account by a highly regarded expert in naval history of the incredible exploits of raphael semmes and the alabama during her 75,000mile odyssey. Raphael semmes confederate rear admiral and brigadier general raphael semmes 18091877 left an enduring legacy as captain of the css alabama, the most famous of the confederate commerce raiders.
The germans were ordered to study the tactics of raphael semmes with their uboats. The family were catholics and among the earliest settlers in lord baltimores colony. Raphael semmes historical records and family trees myheritage. Raphael semmess most popular book is memoirs of service afloat.
He joined the us navy in april, 1826, and served in the mexican war under winfield scott. Media in category raphael semmes the following 43 files are in this category, out of 43 total. Capt raphael semmes, iv 19161981 find a grave memorial. James longstreet autograph letter, signed in which he writes his business partner, colonel william miller owen, who had commanded the 1st battalion of longstreets corps artillery, the famous washington artillery. Statue of rear admiral raphael semmes, mobile, alabama. Raphael semmes began his military career in 1826 when he entered the united states navy as a midshipman upon graduating from the charlotte hall military.
I deduct one star from what could be a 5 star book, due to the aforementioned racist nonsense. Page 173 melt into morn, and light awakes the world. Raphael semmes and the css alabama essential civil war. Gladstone, british chancellor of the exchequer, delivered a speech at. Raphael semmes long flight home naval history magazine. They are delivered to local family centers on the campus of a local lds church for viewing. Electra semmes colston, a daughter of the admiral, supplied the sculptor with many details to enable him to reproduce an accurate figure of her father. Raphael semmes and the notorious confederate raider css alabama by stephen fox the css alabama. Born in charles county, md on september 27, 1809, raphael semmes was the fourth child of richard and catherine middleton semmes. Raphael semmes nonfiction history of the civil war. He would be more disliked after he became a confederate sea. The book was viewed as one of the most cogent but bitter defenses written about the souths lost cause. Semmes was a very intelligent person, and an astute lawyer.
The history of the famous confederate raider that sank off the coast of france during the battle of cherbourg by charles river editors. Prior to this, he had been a serving officer in the united states navy from 1826 through 1860. Albumen and autograph of confederate general james ewell stuart, the beau cavalier of the confederate cavalry. Joseph benedict semmes, who, at the time, was a member of congress from piscataway, who, at the time, no united states naval. Confederate naval commander who was captain of the famous commerce raider css alabama, taking a record 69 prizes.
Raphael semmes was born on september 27, 1809 in charles county, maryland. He also captained the alabama, the most famous of the confederate commerce raiders. Of particular interest within the collection is an 1852 odd fellow certificate, a signed parole. Buy online, view images and see past prices for autograph raphael semmes. Prior to this, he had been a serving officer in the united states navy from 1826 through 1860 during the american civil war, semmes was captain of the cruiser css alabama, the most successful commerce raider in maritime history, taking 65 prizes. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers. This is an easy and enjoyable read, chronicling the life of raphael semmes, the souths preeminent commerce raider. Raphael semmes, cincinnati lawyer and confederate naval raider. Raphael semmes was the first and most important confederate naval hero. September 27, 1809 august 30, 1877 was an officer in the confederate navy during the american civil war. After graduating from high school, he attended the marion military institute for a year before entering the u. Crime and punishment in early maryland, by semmes, raphael and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. His prowess upon the seas, still holds records to this day. He attended huntsville alabama high school and the marion alabama institute, prior to entering the us naval academy, annapolis, maryland, on appointment from his native state in 1934.
Raphael semmes 18091877, american naval officer of the confederacy, commanded the sumter and alabama in their daring raids on northern shipping during the civil war. Raphael semmes is a member of the alabama hall of fame. It was an interesting, but long read, from the point of view of a confederate ship captain. When alabama withdrew from the union in 1861, semmes resigned from the u. Very early in the war, semmes passes on urgent news from the port of charleston, sc, regarding blockade. The two boys were taken into the family of raphael semmes, of georgetown, d. Raphael semmes semmes, raphael, 18091877 the online. Invaluable is the worlds largest marketplace for art, antiques, and collectibles.
Beforehand, he had been an officer in the united states navy from 1826 to 1860. Navy to join the seceding southern states, semmes, as secretary of the lighthouse board, passes on urgent news from the port of charleston, sc. A secret act of the confederate congress signed on 10 may 1861 by president davis authorized the navy department to send an agent abroad. Semmes observations on mexican manufacturing and political. Also included are gearys personal receipt books from 1839 to 1891. Johns hopkins press, 1937 page images at hathitrust semmes, raphael, 18091877.
Several books have been written about his exploits. Raphael semmes was born circa 1850, to raphael semmes and ann pentleton semmes. Until then, he had been a serving officer in the united states navy from 1826 to 1860. Raphael semmes school, university of south alabama, mccall. Entering the navy as a midshipman in 1826, he subsequently studied law and was admitted to the bar while remaining in the service. After the conflict he published the book the campaign of general scott and service afloat during the mexican war. Raphael semmes, the alabamas captain was a man that was bold and daring, serving in the union navy before the civil war, he was remembered as being introverted and not well liked among his peers. He attended huntsville alabama high school and the marion alabama institute, prior to entering the us naval academy, annapolis, maryland, on appointment from his. Raphael semmes and the confederate navy by mark baxter on october 17, 1862 william e.
Raphael semmes has 25 books on goodreads with 220 ratings. Naval hero for all the south, raphael semmes 18091877 sailed two famous confederate raiders. Captain semmes very fortunately let his pen flow fluently when he recorded these. The raphael semmes house, also known as the hortasemmes house, is a historic residence in mobile. Naval hero for all the south, raphael semmes 18091877 sailed two famous. But mighty nature bounds as from her birth, the sun is in the heavens, and life on earth. Rear admiral raphael semmes, confederate states navy, 18091877 raphael semmes was born in charles county, maryland, on 27 september 1809. American naval officer, born in charles county, maryland. Raphael semmes was born on september 27, 1809, in charles county, maryland to richard thompson semmes and his wife catherine middleton. Raphael semmes s most popular book is memoirs of service afloat. Semmes was married to miss pauline semmes, a daughter of the late gen.
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