Letter from Henry Semple in College Grove, Tennessee, to his wife, Emily.

Letter from Henry Semple in College Grove, Tennessee, to his wife, Emily.

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 wh...

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Format: Electronic
Published: Alabama Department of Archives and History
Subjects:
Alabama documents
Online Access:http://cdm17217.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/voices/id/4013
format Electronic
collection Alabama Textual Materials Collection
building Alabama Department of Archives and History
publisher Alabama Department of Archives and History
topic Alabama documents
spellingShingle Alabama documents
Letter from Henry Semple in College Grove, Tennessee, to his wife, Emily.
fulltopic Alabama documents
Semple, Emily Virginia James; Semple, Henry C., 1822-1894; Soldiers--Confederate States of America--Alabama; United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Campaigns; United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Health aspects; United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Military life; United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Military personnel; United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Social aspects
description 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.
spelling Q0000038295 - Q0000038298Q38295 - Q38298Letter from Henry Semple in College Grove, Tennessee, to his wife, Emily.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.1862 December 191862-12-191860-1869Semple, Emily Virginia James; Semple, Henry C., 1822-1894; Soldiers--Confederate States of America--Alabama; United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Campaigns; United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Health aspects; United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Military life; United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Military personnel; United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Social aspectsTextCorrespondenceSemple, Henry C.Henry C. Semple papersLPR5v3328Alabama Department of Archives and History, 624 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama 36130EnglishThis material may be protected under U. S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S. Code) which governs the making of photocopies or reproductions of copyrighted materials. You may use the digitized material for private study, scholarship, or research. Though ADAH has physical ownership of the material in its collections, in some cases we may not own the copyright to the material. It is the patron's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in our collections.600 PPI TIFFhttp://cdm17217.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/voices/id/4013
title Letter from Henry Semple in College Grove, Tennessee, to his wife, Emily.
titleStr Letter from Henry Semple in College Grove, Tennessee, to his wife, Emily.
url http://cdm17217.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/voices/id/4013
id ADAHvoices4013
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