1852-1863

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Header Record

Title: Collection of Paul J. Semmes, 2nd Regiment, Georgia, infantry [Decimalized .01-.11]

Letters and documents re: Georgia militia & secession (less .5) [decimalized .01-.11]

GLC00715

January 23, 1861

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Henry Chase

Retained copy. Semmes writes to Major Chase about some telegrams sent and received. He regrets that he cannot go to Pensacola right now because of business. Informs that 20 years ago he was a brigadier general in the militia in eastern Georgia but was removed to the western part of the state, and he is now only commissioned as a captain. He is happy they have renewed their friendship, which began at West Point in 1857.

GLC00715.01

March 26, 1861

Winston, F.S., fl. 1861

Letter signed

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

Winston informs Semmes that his life insurance policy covers him while in service during war. Letter is on printed stationery of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York. Docketed with note signed with initials by Semmes.

GLC00715.02

August 7, 1860

McMurran, Joseph, fl. 1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

McMurran, a Virginia military man and editor of a paper in Christiansburg, Virginia, asks Semmes for a copy of his published work "Infantry Tactics." Docketed by Semmes. McMurran entered the 4th VA Cavalry in 1861 and eventually achieved the rank of sergeant major. He was wounded in action at Gettysburg and then Winchester.

GLC00715.06

September 29, 1860

Aleix, P.O., fl. 1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: Recommendation letter for A. Kleber

Confirms that A. Kleber served as Sergeant instructor of the 1st Company of Chasseurs a Pied de la Louisiane. Praises him as one of the best instructors of light infantry tactics. Paul J. Semmes was planning on hiring Kleber, a mercenary who served in the French Army, to train his troops. Aleix signs as 1st Lieutenant, 1st Company C. a P. [Chasseurs a Pied or Louisiana Foot Rifles].

GLC00715.08

16 November 1860

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Broadside

Title: Southern Guard.

Broadside of the Southern Guard, announcing that Semmes has been elected to the command and will proceed to organize a brigade. Includes a dramatic speech by Semmes praising the South and urging secession. With transmittal letter (see GLC 715.09.02), which is published in the broadside.

GLC00715.09.01

June 1, 1863

Semmes, Emily J., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

Writes to her "dearest husband" as he is on his way to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where he was mortally wounded in battle. She hopes that he is over his cold and fatigue, and asks if he would be able to come home if one of the family got sick because knowing this would put her at ease. She gives thanks that he made it through battles, and comments on their children and their schooling. She criticizes their daughters for their excessive pride, "...they do look down upon these poor people with such contempt I think it is so wicked I pray that they may see their sin." States that she has been…

GLC00715.10

July 13, 1863

Hill, J.H., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Emily J. Semmes and her daughters

Writes to the widow and daughters of Confederate General Paul J. Semmes, who was mortally wounded at the battle of Gettysburg. Informs them of the difficulties he is running into concerning the transportation of Semmes's body home. He advises her that his remains may not arrive until late next week. Says he will do all that he can to speed up the transport and "will be at the Depot with my negroes to move the remains to any place your many desire." Mentions other Georgia soldiers killed at Gettysburg. Writes to the women, in Opelika, Alabama.

GLC00715.11

1860

Rhett, Robert Barnwell, 1800-1876

Pamphlet

Title: The Address of the People of South Carolina, assembled in convention, to the people of the slave states of the United States.

Concerns South Carolina seceding from the Union and encouraging other states that enslaved people to join in forming a confederacy. Printed by order of the convention by Evans & Cogswell, Charleston, South Carolina. No wrappers.

GLC00719

March 17, 1864

Garfield, James A. (James Abram), 1831-1881

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John M. Forbes

James A. Garfield writes to Forbes after he visited and made a speech in Boston. He thanks him for his support. In lieu of an apparently requested copy of the speech he made (for which Garfield states he made no notes), he sends a similar speech (not included) on the confiscation of rebel property. He mentions that "The edition of 30,000 is almost exhausted" and suggests revising it for "publication by the society to which you referred." Letter written on stationery of the House of Representatives. Prior to his election, Garfield had served as an officer in the Union Army.

GLC00655.14

25 June 1868

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Document signed

Title: [Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to the pardon of Joseph E. Johnston].

GLC00656

May 28, 1862

McClellan, George Brinton, 1826-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry W. Halleck

George Brinton McClellan informs Halleck of reports that Richmond has been reinforced by troops from the south, and discusses plans for defending Washington. Letter written during the height of the Peninsula Campaign, when Union forces were closest to Richmond. McClellan states "Nothing especially new except combination of reports that reinforcements making Richmond from South. It is not confirmed that any of Bragg's troops are yet here. My opinion is more and more firm that here is the defence of Washington, and that I should be at once reinforced by all available troops to enable me to…

GLC00664.01

January 14, 1863

Wise, Henry A., 1806-1876

Letter signed

Title: to Arnold Elzey

Retained copy of a letter to Elzey on which a pencil signature of Wise has been added by a secretary. General Wise (Confederate) describes a recent Union raid near White House, Virginia. He informs Major General Elzey, commander of the Department of Richmond, that during the raid, Union troops stole thirty cattle from William P. Taylor's farm. He discusses coordination with Colonel Tabb (possibly William B. Tabb) and Captain Wynn at locations such as Bush's Mill, N. Kent Court House, and the wharves at West Point in order to prevent further raids. He states "all the slaves of abandoned…

GLC00662

May 11, 1861

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Letter signed

Title: to Wynne, Hill and Glazebrook

The letter is regarding surveying the approaches to Richmond to establish lines of defense

GLC00663

May 19, 1862

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Document signed

Title: General orders, no. 44

General Beauregard's order rallying Confederate soldiers, in response to Benjamin F. Butler's infamous General Order number 28, signed by Smith as Assistant Adjutant General. Butler's order number 28, stating that New Orleans women showing contempt for Union soldiers will be treated as prostitutes is reprinted here, as well as Beauregard's words rallying the men to "drive back from our soil, those infamous invaders of our homes and disturbers of our family ties."

GLC00666

05 September 1864

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: Endorsement (by Lee and Beauregard) of telegram from Gov. Zebulon B. Vance

Telegram from Raleigh, N.C. written in a clerical hand on stationery of the Southern Telegraph Company. Endorsed on verso by Beauregard and Lee. Vance was North Carolina governor.

GLC00670

1843-1900 (bulk: 1861-65)

Kell, John McIntosh, 1823-1900

Header Record

Title: Collection of John McIntosh Kell [Decimalized .01-.21]

Kell was a member of the United States Navy from 1843 until 19 January, 1861, the day of Georgia's secession from the United States. He served in the Confederate Navy for the duration of the Civil War, commanded the C.S.S. Savannah, and was made a captain for his work as First Lieutenant under Captain Raphael Semmes on the C.S.S. Alabama. In 1886, he became the Adjutant General of Georgia. In 1900, the year of his death, he published a book, "Recollections of a Naval Life; Including the Cruises of the Confederate Steamers Sumter and Alabama."

GLC00684

January 17, 1861

Kell, John McIntosh, 1823-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Julia Blanche Kell

John McIntosh Kell writes to his wife with postscript that "the Secession Ordinance will probably pass tomorrow."

GLC00684.05

February 24, 1861

Kell, John McIntosh, 1823-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Julia Blanche Kell

John McIntosh writes to his wife about a package he has sent her. He responds to news of his sons' ill health and suggests a healthier diet for them. He mentions a ship named the Everglade which is to be purchased the next day, "when I will take immediate command." The ship will be renamed the Savannah. He has gathered a group of "25 men & will probably make up the 50 before I leave." Year of letter inferred from day of week.

GLC00684.06

March 5, 1861

Kell, John McIntosh, 1823-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Julia Blanche Kell

John McIntosh Kell writes that "I hope to refer the Savannah ready for service day after tomorrow." He makes reference to Yankee slang on the third page. In closing, Kell mentions that he had meant to send a copy of Lincoln's inaugural address and adds that "I do not think it is calculated much to intimidate the President of our Southern Confederacy, nor will it carry much weight in the North."

GLC00684.07

March 18, 1861

Kell, John McIntosh, 1823-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Julia Blanche Kell

John McIntosh Hell writes that on his arrival at Cumberland Island he was greeted by "a goodly number of ladies & gentlemen, guests & household of Mr. Nightengale" eager "to view the Georgia Steamer of War." He reports that he will be sailing to Fernandina, Florida in an attempt to get guns for the boat. Letter written aboard the Savannah, offshore of Dungeness Manor on Cumberland Island.

GLC00684.08

March 22, 1861

Kell, John McIntosh, 1823-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Julia Blanche Kell

John McIntosh Kell writes to his wife about the ill health of their son. He mentions that "Commodore Tattnall is here & I am to report to him tomorrow: Morris' Steamer the Huntress has arrived."

GLC00684.09

August 16, 1863 - August 18, 1863

Kell, Julia Blanche, 1836-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Evelyn Kell

Julia Blanche Kell writes to Kell's sister, Evy. She mentions Kell's mother and his sister Mary. She discusses a stylish new bonnet she has recently sent to Evelyn, which "is quite moderate. I think my summer bonnet is higher," and offers to send fabrics from Macon Mills to Kell's mother and sisters. On August 18, she mentions a letter from Kell "dated 'Bahia' 20th of May." She writes that Kell has reported "they have destroyed 47 vessels of the enemy," including the Hatteras. She says that Kell thinks "the Yankees will be quite ready for peace -- how mistaken he is poor fellow!" Julia's…

GLC00684.10

1 June 1864

Mallory, Stephen R., 1813-1873

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of John Kell to commander of the Provisional Navy of the Confederate States]

Kell promoted for service "as first Lieutenant and Executive Officer on the C.S. Steam Sloops Sumter and Alabama, under the command of Captain Raphael Semmes." Commission effective from 4 October 1863. Signed by Mallory as Secretary of Navy.

GLC00684.11

circa June 1864

Tremlett, Francis W., fl. 1850-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John McIntosh Kell

Mentions a letter from his sister, Louisa Tremlett, and invites Kell and Semmes to visit him for "a regular Southern party of Southern people." He encloses a letter from John Hay, now missing, which describes the response of "the British service, & indeed the British people" to the sinking of the C.S.S. Alabama -- "it was a glorious death & I find is so regarded everywhere." Dated Tuesday morning. Francis W. Tremlett, a British parson, was an ardent Confederate sympathizer. Semmes and Kell stayed with Tremlett in London following the sinking of the Alabama.

GLC00684.12