Cleveland, Thomas P., fl. 1863 to Emily J. Semmes
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02411 Author/Creator: Cleveland, Thomas P., fl. 1863 Place Written: Martinsburg, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 12 July 1863 Pagination: 2 p. : envelope Height: 24.2 cm, Width: 19 cm Order a Copy
Cleveland, Emily and Paul Semmes's nephew, describes in detail Semmes's death. General Semmes was mortally wounded in Longstreet's charge at Gettysburg and died in the retreat. Sends the letter care of Captain Cody. Emily Semmes wrote a note on the envelope reading "This package dearest of all. E.J.S." "…I tried to get leave of absence to come home with the corpse, but failed. But as we will not be able to send it at this time perhaps it is all for the best. Oh! how I long to see you all & tell you how noble, brave & patriotic he was while living...above all, how happy & serene his death. The beautiful words of that hymn, commencing, 'How blest the righteous when he dies!' well expresses the manner of his departure to the Spirit Land. He fell asleep...I cannot well tell you how Kindly he was treated by the family under whose hospitable roof he remained till our Heavenly Father called him...Every attention & Kindness was Shown him &...I Know you & all his dear relatives & friends cannot cease to be grateful to them for it. May God reward them...He gave me his last message to you & his children & that was to meet him in Heaven...He prayed for yourself, his children, servants & all. He told us good bye. He called for his Sword, laid it by his right side, clasped his testament in his hands & folded them across his breast, & thus he died..."
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