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to the Columbus Guards
May 3, 1859
Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863
Paul Jones Semmes announces his resignation as Captain of the Columbus Guard after six years of service.
GLC00572.07
Orders No. 7.
30 June 1859
Printed orders of the Columbus Guard, of which Semmes was Captain, detailing how his battalion will participate in the festivities honoring the Anniversary of the Independence of the United States. Signed in print by Semmes and by Lock Weems, 1st...
GLC00572.08
to Paul J. Semmes
May 23, 1860
Dixon, George W., fl. 1860
Captain Dixon of the Auburn Guard asks Captain Semmes of the Columbus Guard if he can borrow tents for his company. Written and signed by Captain George W. Dixon.
GLC00572.09
June 27, 1860
Lomax, Tennent, Sr., 1820-1862
States that they are forming a volunteer regiment in Montgomery and that he expects to be elected Colonel. Asks Semmes's advice on the positioning of certain companies in parades and in order of battle. Hopes Semmes can help him as he is "anxious to...
GLC00572.10
to Capt. Paul J. Semmes
August 3, 1860
Bolton, H., fl. 1860
Writes that he saw Semmes's letter to the New York Herald editor dated July 23 and published on July 30, 1860 in which he offered a copy of the rules written for the Columbus Guard to Captain Ellsworth. Elmer Ellsworth, the founder of the Chicago...
GLC00572.11
August 7, 1860
Semmes, A.G., fl. 1860
Writes to his brother to inform him that he has found a man, Major A. Kleber, formerly in the French army, who will suit his purposes. Paul Semmes was looking for someone to train the Georgia troops. States that this man organized the Zouaves company...
GLC00572.12
August 20, 1860
Kleber, A., fl. 1860
Letter from a mercenary Semmes was considering hiring to train the Georgia troops. Kleber asks for $75 a month plus board and lodging. Also requests that his passage be paid and that he receive an $80 advance. Kleber was recommended by Semmes's...
GLC00572.13
to Paul Semmes
November 15, 1860
Bethune, James N., 1803-1895
Discusses the meeting of the legislature in Milledgeville, Georgia on the issue of secession. Writes that the general consensus in Milledgeville is one of resistance. States that Georgia Senator Benjamin Hill is demanding that Lincoln enforce the...
GLC00572.14
November 17, 1860
Informs that the Senate passed a bill calling for a secession convention in Georgia. Mentions the remote chance of war, "Amongst those who are doubtful or timid the feeling is getting out that they must take choice between the remote chance of a...
GLC00572.15
November 24, 1860
Williams, Charles J., fl. 1860
Informs that the General Assembly has passed a bill appropriating one million dollars to buy arms for Georgia and that Governor Joseph E. Brown requests his help in carrying this out. Asks Semmes to go to New York or wherever he needs to in order to...
GLC00572.16
September 5, 1860
Clemons, W.G., fl. 1853-1860
Discusses the hiring of a Major Kleber, a German mercenary, to train the Georgia troops. Advises that any information about training troops should be kept confidential and known only by those in the company. Relates that he is working on finding...
GLC00572.17
to Joseph E. Brown
December 22, 1860
Retained copy, docketed by Semmes. Semmes writes to the Governor of Georgia enclosing a contract (not present; probably GLC00508.04) for the purchase of rifle cannon, projectiles, and lead. Discusses the pros and cons of different types of guns...
GLC00572.19
Semmes's retained copy. Semmes writes to the Governor of Georgia enclosing a contract for the purchase of gun carriages and implements, battery wagons and implements, and other army supplies. Docketed by Semmes's on verso.
GLC00572.20
December 24, 1860
Cooper & Pond, fl. 1860
Letter from a New York arms dealer informing Semmes that they have 930 Enfield rifles made for the British government. The rifles are brand new and inspected. The arms dealer states that the rifles are in great demand and if Semmes is interested, he...
GLC00572.21
January 3, 1861
Semmes's copy, docketed. Semmes informs the Governor of Georgia that he returned to Columbus, Georgia yesterday and is feeling very unwell. Semmes had been in New York acquiring arms for Georgia. Docketed by Semmes on verso.
GLC00572.22
January 5, 1861
Viele, Augustus, fl. 1861
Augustus Viele notes difficulty of finding credit for shipments of munitions to the South because of the impending war. He states, "... much excitement exists in our section in regard to the Manufacture & Shipment of Munitions of War, to the Southern...
GLC00572.23
January 9, 1861
Retained copy/draft, signed and docketed. Paul Jones Semmes gives the Governor of Georgia a general account of purchases made for the State of Georgia totaling $93,596.35. He recommends that a battery be set up at Tybee [Island] at the mouth of the...
GLC00572.24
January 15, 1861
Waters, H. H., fl. 1861
Marked "Private" at top. Waters, Secretary to Governor Joseph Brown of Georgia, informs Semmes that a brigade he formed, "First Brigade, First Division, Southern Guard," does not comply with the Act of December 18, 1860 or General Orders No. 2 and...
GLC00572.25
January 16, 1861
Abercrombie, Gus, fl. 1861
Telegram to Semmes requesting the service of his troops in Pensacola, Florida immediately. Advises him to go see Georgia Governor Joseph E. Brown for further details. On telegram stationery of The Magnetic Telegraph Company and written six days after...
GLC00572.26
Ellis, Roswell, fl. 1853-1861
A member of Semmes's Columbus Guards asks him if they are going to Pensacola, Florida as requested (see GLC00572.26). On telegram stationery of The Magnetic Telegraph Company.
GLC00572.27
January 17, 1861
Colquitt, Peyton H., 1831-1863
A member of the Columbus Guard advises Semmes to get "accoutrements and arms for our company we must have them pistols too. Get authority to organize Battalion that we may elect officers when we leave answer." On telegram stationery of the Magnetic...
GLC00572.28
January 18, 1861
Roswell Ellis informs Semmes that Company A is ready to go with 76 men and more to come. On stationery of the Magnetic Telegraph Company.
GLC00572.29
to H. H. Waters
January 22, 1861
Semmes's retained copy. Writes to the Secretary of Governor Joseph Brown of Georgia. Replies to Waters' earlier letter advising Semmes that a brigade he formed cannot be recognized as it was not formed according to the proper rules (see GLC00572.25)...
GLC00572.30
to W. H. Chase
January 23, 1861
Retained copy of telegram sent to Major W. H. Chase in Montgomery, Alabama care of Governor Moore. Confirms receipt of a telegram concerning his company, the Columbus Guards, being called to Pensacola, Florida.
GLC00572.31
Orders No. 7
February 3, 1861
Retained copy of his orders No. 7, as captain of the Columbus Guard, gives orders regarding the departure of the company from Columbus, Georgia to serve as "an escort of honor to Company __ of the __ Regiment of Alabama volunteers." Possibly related...
GLC00572.32
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