November 15, 1860

Bethune, James N., 1803-1895

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Paul Semmes

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 fugitive slave law. If the laws are not enforced, Hill will "help us dissolve the Union and we will all go together." Informs that "Many prominent men who have been here to force violent Union Men are now openly and strongly for immediate Secession." Written on blue paper. Georgia seceded from the Union on January 19, 1861. Bethune was a prominent…

GLC00572.14

November 17, 1860

Bethune, James N., 1803-1895

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

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 fight with the North and a fight at home..."

GLC00572.15

November 24, 1860

Williams, Charles J., fl. 1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

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 get the arms. Colonel Hardee will offer counsel. Stresses the urgency of this, stating that, "the importance of prompt action need not be urged on you. Your heart is in this matter of resistance and we must have the means of rigorous defense." Gives instructions for telegraphing reports. Year inferred from content. Williams enlisted as a colonel…

GLC00572.16

September 5, 1860

Clemons, W.G., fl. 1853-1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

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 Semmes an overseer in time. Clemons, a member of the Columbus Guard, may have been the owner of a cotton gin company in Columbus, Georgia.

GLC00572.17

5 October 1860

Hambleton, James P., 1830-1897

Newspaper

Title: The Southern Confederacy. [Vol. 3, no. 30 (October 5, 1860)]

Articles on the 1860 presidential election, most focusing on Stephen A. Douglas. Also details the cotton crop in the south. Hambleton is listed as editor and proprietor.

GLC00572.18

December 22, 1860

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph E. Brown

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, shells and ranges. Letter has initialed postscript.

GLC00572.19

December 22, 1860

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph E. Brown

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

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 should act quickly. Docketed by Semmes on verso.

GLC00572.21

January 3, 1861

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph E. Brown

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

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 States ... I find it difficult to obtain means & credit to pursue my work; owing to the impression that exists in the minds of business men, that I will not receive my pay..." He informs that he cannot get Lieutenant Balsh to act as inspector anymore so Semmes will have to appoint one. He requests that Semmes give him payment in advance…

GLC00572.23

January 9, 1861

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph E. Brown

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 Savannah River and discusses outfitting it with munitions. The Union Army would later use siege batteries on Tybee Island (near Savannah) in their successful bombardment of Fort Pulaski in April of 1862.

GLC00572.24

January 15, 1861

Waters, H. H., fl. 1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

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 therefore cannot be recognized. Advises him to refer to the enclosed orders (not present) for further information on organizing a brigade of 10,000 men. Written on printed Executive Department stationery.

GLC00572.25

January 16, 1861

Abercrombie, Gus, fl. 1861

Telegram

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

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 Florida's secession. The Confederacy maintained control of Pensacola, but Fort Pickens, one of three forts guarding the harbor, was held by Union forces throughout the war. Jefferson Davis was inaugurated as president of the Confederacy on February 18, 1861 in Montgomery Alabama. Semmes's Columbus Guards served as an honor guard at the ceremony.

GLC00572.26

January 16, 1861

Ellis, Roswell, fl. 1853-1861

Telegram

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

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

Telegram

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

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 Telegraph Company. Peyton H. Colquitt reached the rank of colonel; he died of wounds sustained at Chickamauga in September of 1863.

GLC00572.28

January 18, 1861

Ellis, Roswell, fl. 1853-1861

Telegram

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

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

January 22, 1861

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to H. H. Waters

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). States that the brigade was formed prior to the legislature passing the law requiring 10,000 volunteers. He also retorts "Nor was the idea entertained by any one that this organization was known to or authorized by any State law, or that it had the right or the power to confer any military rank whatever upon me or any other person." Docketed by…

GLC00572.30

January 23, 1861

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph document signed

Title: to W. H. Chase

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

February 3, 1861

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph document signed

Title: Orders No. 7

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 to the Columbus Guards's honor service at Jefferson Davis's inauguration in Montgomery, Alabama. Countersigned by 3rd Sergeant Van Marcus. Docketed by Semmes on verso.

GLC00572.32

March 10, 1861

Brown, Joseph Emerson, 1821-1894

Telegram

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

Telegram from the Governor of Georgia telling Semmes he must see him in Savannah immediately, before his company is organized. Reads " I must see you before you organize your command. Come to Savannah immediately - Answer." Docketed at bottom. On stationery of the American Telegraph Company.

GLC00572.33

28 October 1861

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph document signed

Title: [Orders No. ? on roll calls and drills]

Retained copy of his order relating to rules for roll call inspections, drills and parades for the 2nd Georgia Infantry of which Semmes was elected colonel at the outbreak of the war. Written in pencil from Camp near Centreville, Virginia.

GLC00572.34

December 3, 1861

Whiting, Jasper S., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

Jasper S. Whiting, major and assistant adjutant general, replies to Semmes's letter questioning something about certificates of disability. Written from the Headquarters of the 2nd Corps. Addressed to Semmes as Colonel commanding the 9th Brigade.

GLC00572.35.01

February 4, 1862

Whiting, Jasper S., fl. 1861-1862

Manuscript document signed

Title: Circular order

Circular from Major General Commanding Joseph E. Johnston concerning recruiting. Advises brigade commanders to promptly forward recruits to their companies as it is urgent that the Confederate army increase its numbers. Signed by Major and Assistant Adjutant General Jasper S. Whiting by command of Major General Gustavus W. Smith. Initialled by Paul J. Semmes, "P.J.S." in margin on page one. At the time, the Confederate Army was suffering from severe shortage of recruits.

GLC00572.36

circa 1863

unknown, fl. 1863

Photograph

Title: [Photograph of the reburial of Confederate Brigadier General Paul J. Semmes]

One undated hand-colored photograph of the reburial of Confederate Brigadier General Paul J. Semmes. Image is of military officers gathered by Semmes's new grave in Linwood Cemetery, Columbus, Georgia.

GLC00572.37

circa 1860s

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Object

Title: [Coat button from General Semmes's uniform]

Brass coat button with eagle emblem. Complete with shank. Stamped on back, "Horstmann & Allien NY."

GLC00572.38