| 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 their children and mutual acquaintances; the possibility of his appointment as a judge in the military courts ("I have little hope now"); the new French priest who has arrived in camp ("a very worthy and energetic man, but a little odd"); a church service held that day; and weather, conditions, and illness in camp ("John Scott is prostrated with diarrhea and seems to have no more spring or elasticity in him than a wet rag"). He also mentions his concern over the lack of provisions available for the army, as well as the likelihood of ultimate defeat: "I am somewhat gloomy now from apprehensions of our being unable to feed and provide for our armies - when we have to face double our numbers and feel that we are not able to feed even these we have, while we require so many more to deal a blow that will end the war, it is well calculated to discourage us...I wish now I was younger & so better fitted to mark out some new course of life for us should we fail in our present conflict, but I hope we may triumph yet." A transcription is included.
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