| 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 activities in camp and the health of the soldiers; homesick men under his command who seek an "opportunity of getting out"; his affection for the men in his battery ("I would...be almost as sincere a mourner for many of them as their parents brothers sisters and I had almost said wives"); and the good impression he has made on several generals: "Genl Buckner...tells me that he regrets parting with me and shall ask when he takes command to have me sent to him - This is a compliment, and offers some hope that I may get back to Ala, but I fear a small one, for he was unwilling to ask Bragg to let me go with him as he said he knew he would refuse, and...he might be shot for it. This opinion is another compliment from Genl Bragg but I would rather dispense with the compliment of being thought necessary to the Army of Tenn." While he appreciates his reputation, he would rather not fight on the front lines anymore and therefore desires a "promotion, which would detach me from my Co. and give me a better opportunity of ultimately getting out of the service." A transcription is included.
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