Semmes, Paul Jones (1815-1863) to Joseph E. Brown
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00508.06 Author/Creator: Semmes, Paul Jones (1815-1863) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 25 December 1860 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 25.5 x 20.4 cm. Order a Copy
Semmes's retained copy. Writes to the Governor of Georgia enclosing a contract made with James T. Ames of Chicopee, Massachusetts (Ames Manufacturing) for cavalry equipment, postal pouches, haversacks, knapsacks & straps, Infantry equipment, carbine equipment, cavalry sabres, artillery sabres, and artillery sabre belts and plates. With a pencil note signed PS stating he has had a cold since leaving Georgia. Written from the 5th Avenue Hotel, New York.
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.
5th Avenue New York
25 Dec. 1860
His Excellency
Joseph E. Brown
Governor of Georgia
[illegible]
Sir,
Herewith enclosed your Excellency will find a contract made with James I. Ames Esq. of Chicopee Mass. for cavalry equipment, Postal pouches (to be [struck: worn] worn with Carbine or sabre equipment,) Haversacks, Knapsacks& straps, Infantry equipment, Carbine equipment, Cavalry sabres, artillery sabres, and artillery sabre belts& plates, to be paid for at the State Treasury, receipt& approval of same, & presentation of invoices, Bill of lading& Insurance policy or receipt-and to be inspected in Georgia under you Excellency's direction.
[docket]
have all been made except the 6-18 powder guns [illegible], & all preliminary equipments have been made for them with a Richmond V. family.
I am
Your Excellency's
servant
Paul J. Semmes
Agl.
I have been unwell, with a cold, most of the trip since I left Ga.
PS
Letter
Gov. Brown-copy
sent 25 Dec 1860
Can [illegible] equipments
[illegible]
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.