24 June 1858

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Printed document

Title: Orders, No. 26.

Printed orders for the Columbus Guard with three page autograph additions in Semmes hand, plus an autograph docket signed in Semmes hand on 25 June 1858. On blue paper. The orders concern assembling the company to celebrate the Anniversary of American Independence on 5 July 1858. Semmes's notes detail instructions for the day.

GLC00572.05

April 30, 1859

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Tennent Lomax Sr.

Semmes's retained copy. Addressed to Captain Lomax in Montgomery, Alabama. Writes that he is pleased to announce the cooperation of the City Light Guards and gives some information on the parade of ceremony. Docketed and signed by Semmes on verso.

GLC00572.06

May 3, 1859

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to the Columbus Guards

Paul Jones Semmes announces his resignation as Captain of the Columbus Guard after six years of service.

GLC00572.07

30 June 1859

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Broadside

Title: Orders No. 7.

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 Lieutenant, Columbus Guard. On blue paper. Weems reached the rank of 1st lieutenant during the Civil War; he was killed in action at Cold Harbor in 1862.

GLC00572.08

May 23, 1860

Dixon, George W., fl. 1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

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 be right on this delicate point of rank, about which military men are so prone to quarrel and disagree." Lomax was Semmes's former adjutant. Docketed by Semmes. Lomax reached the rank of lieutenant colonel; he was killed in action at Fair Oaks in 1862.

GLC00572.10

August 3, 1860

Bolton, H., fl. 1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Capt. Paul J. Semmes

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 Zouaves, was a close friend of Abraham Lincoln and his family. On May 24, 1861, the day after Virginia voted to secede from the Union, Ellsworth led his New York Zouave regiment into Alexandria. He was shot to death after cutting down a large Confederate flag flying in that city, making him the Union's earliest martyr. He asks if Semmes could also…

GLC00572.11

August 7, 1860

Semmes, A.G., fl. 1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

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 in New Orleans. Advises his brother to engage him soon or else he will be employed elsewhere. Docketed by Paul Semmes.

GLC00572.12

August 20, 1860

Kleber, A., fl. 1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

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 brother (see GLC00572.12). Addressed to General Semmes and docketed by Semmes.

GLC00572.13

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