Semmes, Paul Jones (1815-1863) to Joseph E. Brown
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00446.01 Author/Creator: Semmes, Paul Jones (1815-1863) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 25 December 1860 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 25.5 x 20.5 cm. Order a Copy
Writes to the Governor of Georgia enclosing a plan and specifications for a powder magazine, with estimated costs. Advises that the magazine will hold 1250 barrels of 100 pounds of powder and that it was requested from Mr. E.J. Dupont de Nemours & Co. of Wilmington, Delaware. Semmes's autograph copy, marked as a copy. Docketed by Semmes. Accompanied by architectural drawing, GLC00446.02. Written from the 5th Avenue Hotel in New York City. This letter, written five days after South Carolina seceded from the Union, shows that preparations for war were already underway.
This letter was written five days after South Carolina seceded from the Union and shows that preparations for war were already underway. Semmes was a Georgia banker and plantation owner who served as agent for the State of Georgia during the preparations for the Civil War. He served as colonel of the 2nd Georgia in the Confederate Army at the outbreak of the war and was promoted to brigadier general in March 1862. He was assigned to a brigade in McLaws' division of Longstreet's corps fighting in Crampton's Gap, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Salem Church, and Gettysburg, where he was mortally wounded.
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