30 May 1860

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Broadside

Title: [Confederate dueling challenge to James T. Hay]

Printed broadside put out by Semmes concerning a controversy between himself and Hay, the editor of the Southern Spy. Semmes calls James T. Hay a "grand liar." He argues "I do not profess to be a 'bully,' as he has pleased to call me; but at the same time, I do not intend to be frightened by an expression of my opinion, by that potent Engine - of wind, and Cowardice." He ends by stating, "Indeed to notice him farther, would but disgrace; unless he offers an insult in person - which he will not dare to attempt."

GLC04023

October 29, 1862

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Emily J. Semmes

Advises his wife on how to address letters to him and tells her she must not write anything that will attract the attention of the Yankees, should they intercept the letters. Refers to his previous letter (possibly GLC00175). Discusses mail communication, personal items, and their daughters' music education. Hopes to get a leave this winter to visit them in Arkansas. Comments on selling their enslaved individuals, "...negroes bring large prices throughout nearly all of the Cotton States...of course, they would not sell very high in districts [owned?] by the Yankey..." Is anxious to hear from…

GLC00442

December 25, 1860

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph E. Brown

Writes to the Governor of Georgia enclosing a plan and specifications for a powder magazine, with estimated costs. Advises that the magazine will hold 1250 barrels of 100 pounds of powder and that it was requested from Mr. E.J. Dupont de Nemours & Co. of Wilmington, Delaware. Semmes's autograph copy, marked as a copy. Docketed by Semmes. Accompanied by architectural drawing, GLC00446.02. Written from the 5th Avenue Hotel in New York City. This letter, written five days after South Carolina seceded from the Union, shows that preparations for war were already underway.

GLC00446.01

circa December 1860

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Sketch

Title: Plan and elevation of a magazine 18 x 26 feet on the floor x 10 foot high for E.J. Du Pont & co

Drawing of the plan and elevation of a powder magazine made for E.J. DuPont Nemours & Co. of Delaware. Lists dimensions as "18 x 26 Feet on the Floor x 10 Feet high for E.J. DuPont & Co./Capacity 5220 kegs." Includes sketch of a full size floor pin. On one side of muslin? cloth. Suffered water damage at some point.

GLC00446.02

July 9, 1863

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Note signed

Title: to Emily J. Semmes

Describes how he was severely wounded in Gettysburg: "Wounded severely. Main danger over. Remain at home. Will write." Semmes signed this note one day before dying of a gunshot wound to the leg received at Gettysburg.

GLC00458

June 11, 1863

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Emily J. Semmes

Writes to his wife that he "wept like a child" when reading her last letter. Expresses his thoughts before going into battle on route to Gettysburg. Discusses his concerns about his possible death, the welfare of his family, and his diminished wealth. Exclaims, "If my life be spared, we will have to return & live humbly & economically - If not spared, Oh! My Lord! What will become of my Dear, My Dear Family?" Mentions his life insurance policy and states that since his life is so uncertain, it might be best to renew it despite the cost. Sends love to the children and stresses the need…

GLC00101

October 21, 1862

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Emily J. Semmes

Gives instructions to his wife to secure their property from the Union occupation of General Benjamin Butler during the Civil War. Directs her to go immediately across the Mississippi river to their plantation. Doubts that the Federals have visited the plantation yet but believes it possible that Dye (possibly the overseer) has run off. "...or, if he has remained at the plantation, that some of the negroes have run off to the Yankees." Advises that if she cannot get to the plantation, to secure any property and move the negroes. If she cannot stay on the plantation, he tells her to rent a…

GLC00175

December 19, 1860

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Contract with Robert P. Parrott to buy 16 rifle cannons for Georgia]

Unsigned copy, written on one side. Contract to buy cannons, guns, and ammunition from Colt, Dupont, Ames, etc. to prepare Georgia for war. Semmes acted as agent for Georgia in preparation for the Civil War. Docket in Semmes' hand. "... This Contract made and entered into... That the said Robert P. Parrat hereby covenants and agrees to manufacture furnish and deliver on board Steamer in the Port of New York and bound for Savannah Georgia suitably prepared and packed for safe transportation within sixty days from the date just above written... (16) Sixteen Rifle Cannons..." New York was a…

GLC00474

December 27, 1860

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph document signed

Title: [Contract with Tredegar Iron Works]

Semmes's autograph retained copy, marked as a copy. Contract with Joseph R. Anderson, owner of Tredegar Iron Works, in preparation for war. Semmes was acting as agent for the State of Georgia. Orders six 18 pounder cannons, 1500 rounds of solid shot, 200 spherical case shot, and 100 canister shot. Stresses the need to provide this order without delay. Details the price Georgia will pay. Tredegar provided the Confederacy with almost a thousand cannons during the war and was the Confederacy's most valuable manufacturer. "... This contract made and entered into... by and between General…

GLC00503

December 1860 - March 1861

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Header Record

Title: Paul J. Semmes archive regarding buying arms and military equipment [decimalized .01-.14]

14 copies of documents and letters, most in the hand of Paul J. Semmes about his efforts as agent to buy arms for the state of Georgia before the war. Contracts with Parrot for guns and DuPont for gunpowder.

GLC00508

December 11, 1860

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph E. Brown

Writes to the Governor of Georgia enclosing a contract made with Charles Hugh of Pittsburgh for six eight inch Columbiads, 300 solid shot, and 1500 shells. Advises that the guns will be inspected by a member of the U.S. ordnance corps. Informs that the guns weight 900 pounds each, the shot 65 pounds, and the shells, 50 pounds. Discusses the costs. States that these guns will be cast using the "Rodman patent." Remarks, "Such guns cannot be obtained at any other foundry in the U.S." Marked copy on docket. Addressed from the 5th Avenue Hotel, New York.

GLC00508.02

December 21, 1860

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph E. Brown

Writes to the Governor of Georgia enclosing a contract for 300 Colt New Model Army pistols to be delivered in two weeks. Mentions that the same factory, the Colts Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Co. of Hartford, Connecticut is now filling orders for the U.S. Government at the same price of $22.50. Comments on the pistol, "...this is a very superior arm - a little longer & larger than Colts Navy and lighter than Colt Dragoon pistol and better than either." Informs of other contracts made for "...cavalry & artillery sabres, cavalry & Infantry equipments, rifle cannon &…

GLC00508.03

December 22, 1860

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph document signed

Title: [Contract with Robert P. Parrott for rifles, projectiles & lead]

Semmes's retained copy. Contract with Parrott of the Cold Springs Foundry in West Point, New York for 16 rifle cannons, 3500 "Dyer" solid shot, 4000 "Dyer" case or shrapnel shot, 500 canister shot, and 100,000 pounds of lead. Lists the specifications for each of these items and the price. Instructs that the advice of Captain A.B. Dyer (of the U.S. Ordnance Dept.) should be followed when manufacturing the ammunitions. Should be noted that a U.S. government official's advice was taken on manufacturing arms that would ultimately be used by the Confederacy against the United States. The…

GLC00508.04

December 25, 1860

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph E. Brown

Semmes's retained copy. Writes to the Governor of Georgia enclosing a copy of a letter to the Secretary of War and to Major Wayne (not present), the newly appointed Adjutant General of Georgia. The letters concern an attempt to purchase tents from the U.S. government. Advises that the tents be manufactured in Georgia under Wayne's direction as cheaply as possible and of good quality. Informs that he will report on the status of a proposed contract for 18 pounders to be made in Richmond, Virginia.

GLC00508.05

December 25, 1860

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph E. Brown

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 sabers, artillery sabers, and artillery saber 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.

GLC00508.06

January 14, 1861

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Augustus Viele

Semmes's retained copy. Writes to Viele in West Troy, New York. Insists that Governor Brown and the State of Georgia will only make payments for the cannons produced by Viele's foundry according to the terms of the contract. Advises that Mr. Kemble of New York will appoint an inspector for the cannons in case Lieutenant Balsh cannot find one. Viele might have been worried about getting his payment as the war drew nearer.

GLC00508.07

January 15, 1861

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Manuscript document

Title: [Estimates of camp & garrison equipage for 10,000 men]

List of estimated costs of equipment for 7,500 Infantry, 1,500 Cavalry, and 1000 Artillery according to United States standards. Not in Semmes's hand but with additions by him. Includes items such as knapsacks, bedsacks, hatchets, camp kettles, tents and other equipment. Total cost of $109,436.80. (See 00508.11 regarding Georgia's decision to raise 10,000 troops.)

GLC00508.08

circa December 8, 1860

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph document

Title: [Estimates of sizes needed for tents]

Size estimates for hospital tents, hospital tents fly, wall tents fly, and servants tents. Docketed by Paul J. Semmes; on top a note in pencil that reads, "Copy sent Gov Brown 8 Dec 1860 PJS - " Otherwise not dated. Blue lined paper.

GLC00508.09

February 1, 1861

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Colonel H.C. Wayne

Semmes's retained copy. Encloses letters (not present) from Augustus Viele, Mr. Kemble, Captain J. G. Britons, and E.J. Dupont de Nemours & Co in Wilmington, Delaware. The letters concern the inspection of gun carriages and the shipment of powder, cannon and cartridges. Addressed to Wayne as Adjutant General, Milledgeville, Georgia.

GLC00508.10

March 11, 1861

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph E. Brown

Semmes's retained copies. Writes to the Governor of Georgia to advise that Jefferson Davis is calling for only 2000 troops from the state of Georgia, instead of the 10,000 volunteers the state had planned to raise. Also advises that Davis planned to make all appointments of general officers in the state troops and gives Brown the opportunity to reconsider his commission of Semmes as brigadier general, lest it "might embarrass you and place us in an awkward position." This letter documents the start of the friction between Jefferson Davis and Georgia Governor Joseph Brown that lasted…

GLC00508.11

January 5, 1861

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph E. Brown

Marked copy but possibly a draft as it contains cross outs. Writes to the Governor of Georgia concerning the purchase of cannons from Tredegar Iron Works in Richmond, Virginia. Encloses a contract (not present; possibly GLC00503) made with Mr. J.R. Anderson & Co. for six 18 pounder guns and projectiles. Informs that James T. Ames Co. of Chicopee, Massachusetts is requesting an extension as he says he cannot have the knapsacks ready for delivery in the time stipulated in the contract.

GLC00508.12

1834-1866

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Header Record

Title: Collection of Paul J. Semmes, 2nd Regiment, Georgia, infantry [Decimalized .01-.38]

Documents relating to the arming of Georgia and Semmes's militia and early Civil War service. Most documents are housed together, although .4 and .18 are in oversize documents and .38 (button) is housed separately. Includes his Univ of Virginia instruction certificate, pre-war militia training, manuals.

GLC00572

30 June 1853

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph document signed

Title: Orders no. 1

Semmes's working draft of an order that gives instructions on baggage trains, ammunition and pitching tents for the move of the Columbus guard to Camp Montgomery. Possibly a draft as there are cross outs and insertions. By orders of Captain Semmes and Captain Cooper. Written from the headquarters of the Volunteer Battalion, Columbus, Georgia. On blue paper.

GLC00572.03

July 1, 1853

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Broadside

Title: Headquarters: Volunteer Battalion. Order no. 2. Camp Montgomery, July 1, 1853.

Orders for the daily schedule and other information for the volunteer battalion. Signed in print by Semmes as Captain of the Columbus Guard, A. H. Cooper, Captain of the City Light Guards, and T. Lomax, Adjutant. Semmes corrected version with autograph manuscript annotations and corrections, in his hand including an "s" after "Order." Written in Camp Montgomery

GLC00572.04

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