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100 Years AqoBy L. O. BRACKEENConsidered almost a pirate by the North because of his raids on U. S. merchant vessels, Confederate R a p h a e 1 Semmes was held in high esteem abroad and won thehearts of the South as one of%the leading naval heroes.Born in Ch'arles County. Maryland in 1807, Semmes wasan orphan 'at 10 years of age. At the age of 15 he entered upon a training cruise for United States Naval Midship-mon and become well ‘acquainted with water of the West Indies which he later put to use for the Confederacy.Resigning from the United States Navy with rank of commander, he received the same rank in April 1861 in the Confederacy when he took command of the CSS Sumter.With the 18 vessels to the credit of the Sumter in its six months of operation, Semmes captured or destroyed ‘a total of 82 U. S. vessels valued at over $6 million.Using his knowledge as a lawyer — this training gained while a midshipman, between cruises — Semmes was able to deal with points of international law in neutral ports. He was admired by naval officers in other nations, and even the enemy stated, “he had complete regard for rights and privilges of his prisoners.”While commander of the Alabama, Sernmes challenged the USS Kearsago to a duel off the coast of France — in an attempt to escape with his vessel.Unsuccessful in the battle, Semmes raised the white flag, threw his sword into the sea, and jumped overboard from the sinking ship.Semmes was rescued by an English yacht and later smuggled into his own country. In the service of the Confederacy back at home, he received* 7ranks of both admiral and general and was placed in command of coastal defenses until the end of the Civil War.Tu| m'usI wea]i anm I tv I ! T!! l e tSealLi mianmeontlv 1 %?tubeAtL i mmasof I. end pa it thro Kvietibatt aga: is flO.mStc.ltand in Lher278Lir it tme“ISealgiviour a k a n d whc Killsupsaledoefunurggen Can o u r tham o ievetv*cha
Newspaper Details
Athens Limestone Democrat
Athens, Alabama, US
Tue, Nov 28, 1961
Page 11
Full Page
Clipped by
Dorothy B.
PA, USA 28 Jun 2020
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