Letter from Henry Semple in camp near Mobile, Alabama, to his wife, Emily, in Gainestown, Alabama.
During the Civil War, Semple served as a captain of an artillery battery organized in Montgomery (known as Semple's Battery). He was later appointed a major and transferred to Mobile. In the letter he discusses conditions in camp ("We enjoy very good health and for myself though not fat, I...
| Format: | Electronic |
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| Published: |
Alabama Department of Archives and History
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| Online Access: | http://cdm17217.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/voices/id/4005 |
| Summary: | During the Civil War, Semple served as a captain of an artillery battery organized in Montgomery (known as Semple's Battery). He was later appointed a major and transferred to Mobile. In the letter he discusses conditions in camp ("We enjoy very good health and for myself though not fat, I was never heartier"); the availability and cost of food ("I protested against Elmer's purchase of coffee 129 lbs at 1.75 but was overruled by John & Joe. John you know is as addicted to coffee as a toper to his dram & can as badly bear to miss it "); visiting and dining with local people ("with two such dinners in a week I am not likely to forget that there are such things as mahogany & fine linen, & pleasant society in the world yet"); upcoming troop movements and campaigns; the soldiers under his command ("these I have will make an excellent fight and the only trouble is to make them do the work necessary to keep them always ready for it"); and the efforts of several men to get substitutes to fight in their places. A transcription is included. |
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