| 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 and weather in camp; the possibility of his appointment as a judge in the military courts; the health of the soldiers ("pretty good notwithstanding the severity of the weather"); and the seemingly negative effect sending men home to recuperate: "Home atmosphere has a most unwholesome influence on men in the army - They rarely recover in it, and if they do, it takes 4 times as long as for a civilian...The rule will be made after a while to let them die or get well in camp - some would get well, & so many would be saved to the army." He also refers to possible fighting when the weather improves: "I suppose the Republicans will in the course of the next 4 months make desperate efforts to retrieve their lost influence, by victory at as many points as possible." He hopes that the war might end soon, but he does not depend on it: "If Vicksburg stands fast I hope we shall see the end of it all before July. But great attention must be given to corn and meat for another year." He also mentions A transcription is included.
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