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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC00101 |
| From Archive Folder | Collection of Paul J. Semmes, 2nd Regiment, Georgia, infantry |
| Title | Paul Jones Semmes personal correspondence to his wife Emily J. Semmes |
| Date | 11 June 1863 |
| Author | Semmes, Paul Jones (1815-1863) |
| Recipient | Semmes, Emily J. |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Writes to his wife that he "wept like a child" when reading her last letter. Expresses his thoughts before going into battle en 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. Stresses the need for her to be frugal. Talks of infighting in the high command and the opinion other officers hold of Semmes and his brigade. A very emotional, sentimental letter, describing his religious conversion and calling upon God. Writes horizontally in the margin of many pages. Signed with initials. "... I do humbly trust & pray to be carried safely through this wicked war and restored to my dear family In going into battle I commit myself to God ... I feel that though I have thus far escaped, the next Battlefield may be the last to me- the last of me ... The enemy confronts us with three times our force, & we are both to come in Conflict any day - Indeed, a Battle I feel satisfied will not be long postponed unless Hooker & his Army run away, for I doubt not we are going to advance This is the general impression although Gen Lee keeps his own counsils I feel and believe that McLaw's has attempted to poison Lee & Longstreet towards me ... Whether he does injustice or not, the true history of my Brigade will occupy a bright page in history ..." |
| Subjects | Battle of Gettysburg Religion Children and Family Finance Economics Military History Civil War Confederate States of America Battle Confederate Soldier's Letter |
| People | Semmes, Paul Jones (1815-1863) Semmes, Emily J. (fl. 1862) |
| Place written | Culpeper, Virginia |
| Theme | The American Civil War; Children & Family; Religion; Banking & Economics |
| Sub-collection | Papers and Images of the American Civil War |
| Additional Information | Semmes was a banker, planter, and a captain in the state militia before the war. In 1861 he became colonel of the 2nd Georgia. Confederate brigadier general, commanded a brigade at Seven Pines and defended Marye's Height at Fredericksburg. Semmes died from a wound received at the Wheatfield at Gettysburg, 2 July 1863. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Civil War, Reconstruction and the Modern Era: 1860-1945 |