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 his desire to retire from military service: "I had some hopes of being able to...
| Format: | Electronic |
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| Published: |
Alabama Department of Archives and History
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://cdm17217.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/voices/id/4032 |
| 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 his desire to retire from military service: "I had some hopes of being able to make some arrangement to get out of the army, but the signs of activity are so great that it would not do to leave now if it were within my choice. I hope to be able to take part in some glorious atchievement [sic] and then to retire." He reports that he lost an appointment as a judge in the military courts and then reflects on his own character development: "...my mistake in life has been the too ready pursuit of pleasure - That after...health, the pursuits most likely to bring happiness to a man are the diligent devotion of his time to self improvement and a constant watchfulness to endeavor to make others happy & so to make ones self loved." A transcription is included. |
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