Description:

PAUL J. SEMMES
(1815 - 1863 Confederate brigadier general who commanded a brigade at Seven Pines and in the Seven Days, defended Marye's Height at Fredericksburg, and was killed at the Wheatfield at Gettysburg. Rare, fine content war-date A.L. (unsigned, as was often the case in his letters), 8pp. 8vo., Falls Church, Va., Sep. 27, 1861 to his wife. In part: '...the regt. is now quartered in a church & two other buildings...We are only five days at the out posts...It is an exciting duty & [?] liked by all, both officers & men...attempt to raid us with small arms & shot & shell; & killed two Yankees!...[pickets covered a circuit of about 3 miles, 5 Companies being employed...Tuesday the balloon of which you have occasionally seen pictures went up...after which time the enemy commenced throwing solid shot & shell...exploding and scattering their splinters around...we had no cannon to reply...One of our men shot a Yankee in a tree twice, the 2nd time he fell & lay on the ground wounded & groaning...three killed that we know of...I was out again visiting the Pickets...I was intercepted by a message...from Genl. Longstreet...to be loaded & the Regt held ready to move any moment...on account of the advance of the enemy...[near] Brandymore hill...Genl. Longstreet...[is] inclined to believe that the enemy [ia] making a general advance in very great force by way of Serversville...Another order came directing Col. J[enkins] to have five of his co.s...under my command...' Semmes continues to go into great detail about orders received, immediate troop movements, etc., adding: 'The order of Genl. Longstreet gave me a Brigadier's Command for a time' He closes noting that the enemy had been repulsed, and: 'I want home & [to] get what a soldier can.' Wonderful!

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September 10, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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