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

Letter from Henry Semple in Tullahoma, 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 their children and mutual acquaintances; the possibility of his appointment as a jud...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Format: Electronic
Published: Alabama Department of Archives and History
Subjects:
Alabama documents
Online Access:http://cdm17217.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/voices/id/4024
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 Tullahoma, 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--Equipment and supplies; 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--Religious aspects; 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 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.
spelling Q0000038333 - Q0000038336Q38333 - Q38336Letter from Henry Semple in Tullahoma, 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 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.1863 March 151863-03-151860-1869Semple, Emily Virginia James; Semple, Henry C., 1822-1894; Soldiers--Confederate States of America--Alabama; United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Equipment and supplies; 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--Religious aspects; 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/4024
title Letter from Henry Semple in Tullahoma, Tennessee, to his wife, Emily.
titleStr Letter from Henry Semple in Tullahoma, Tennessee, to his wife, Emily.
url http://cdm17217.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/voices/id/4024
id ADAHvoices4024
thumbnail http://cdm17217.contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getthumbnail/collection/voices/id/4024
_version_ 1816185819024588800

Similar Items