The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-01-04
From the National 1ntclligcncer.1
Letter from Raphael Scmmes TO his Brother
Samuel NJ. Srmmcs.

Letter from knptael Seninies W his n'"eh'''
Samuel NJ. Scmnics.
We have been furnished With the following
letter, written by Raphael Semmes, late COM
mandcr OF the rebel cruiser Alabama, and now
awaiting trial in this city, written by him in
August last TO his brother, Samuel M. Semmes,
ut Cumberland, Md:
MOBILE, August 18th, 1865.
NV Dear Brother,-The cessation of the war
leaves me at liberty to renew my correspond
ence with you, without subjecting you to sus-
picion and ANNOYANCE; and l need not say to
you how grateful to the warnings of my heart
is this long suspended privilege. You have
been frequently in my thoughts during our UNI
fortunate struggle, and have often felt much
soiicitude on your account lest part OF the
odium and i'll will which n jealous performance
of my duty has called down upon my mead
from n mad nation should attach 10 you
and your family, and operate TO your injury.
Indeed, have no doubt but that the preludice
against me was the secret OF the DarDarous
and malignant persecution Of Your son, of
which heard only few days since from my
wife s friend and relation, Mrs. Judge spencer,
of Cincinnati. Ihaye never inquired as 10 your
opinions and conduct during the war, being con,
tcnt tn leave Won the same liberty of choice and
action that claimed for myself. knew thaI
whatever you did, you would do IKE man Oh
honor, and l rested satisfied. Besides, you
had been for some time retired from acNNe
life by your want of health. AS Tor nyseli,
have nothing TO regret, save only the loss vi
our independence. My conscience, wmch Is
tho only earthly tribunal OF when go0d man
should be afraid, bears me witness OF the up
rirhtness of my intention in choosing my
course, when, with many regrets, severed
nv connection with the old Government ana
FASTENED to the defence OF my home ana sec
ton: and now, upon reviewing the whole OF
my subsequent career, can see no act Win
which | have TO reproach myself rs I'M
becoming man of honor and n gentleman. L
approved the secession movement Oh the
Southern States, though had no agency III 1t.
/ thought that a separation OF those two sec
tions~pf orr Republic, which had been en-
gagged in a deadly moral conflict Tor thlrty
years, would ultimately result 10 the great ao
Vantage of them both. The world was
wide enough for them TO live apart, ana
peace, thought, would be the fruit OF
their mutual independence Of each other.
Although cared very little ABOUT the IN
stitution of slavery, thought that the
subordinate position of the inferior race was
its proper position. / believed that the doc
trine of States rights was the only doctrine
which would save our Repuolic from tne IA
of all other Republics that had gone before us
in the history of the world. l believed that
this doctrine had been violated, and that III
would never be sufficiently respected by the
controlling masses of the Northern section 10
prevent them from defacing, with sacrlieglouS
hands our national bond of union whereso-
ever its letter was mean to guard the peculiar
rights of the South. Believing this, there was
but one course which faithful Southern man
could pursue and MAINTAIN MS Se1-respect.
pursued that course. When the alternative
was presented to me OF adherlng 10 the alle-
glance due 10 my State or to the united states,
chose the former. Having taken my side,
gave it Jealous and earnest support. spent
four wears in active service, and only ceased TO
labor for nv cause when 1t was no longer pos
sible | rendered this service without ever
having treated n prisoner otherwise IMAM hu
namely, and, may say say, often kindly, and
without ever having committeeman act OF war
at any time, or in any manner, when was hol
sanctioned by the laws of war; yet my name
will probably go down 10 poSteIlty III tns "r-
truthful histories that will be written by
bipotcd and vcnal historians rs i sort OF Blue
Beard or Captain Kidd. But am content,
nv brother. My conscience is clear; my sell
respect has been preserved, ana my sense OF
manhood remains unimpaired. l think, too,
the South will be content, Notwithstanding
her immense losses and sacrifices. II she had
Welded 10 the intolrrant eNactions OF Northern
selfishness and fanaticiSm, without appealing
to the arbitrament of war, she would nave
PLAYED q craven and unworthy part. IL Is bet
ter to lose everything than our honor ana
manhood l know You will believe me,
my brother when | tell you that L should
feel greatly humbled in my own opinion
We're l this day entitled to wear an
admiral's flag in the old navy, and in pos.
session of all the means and appliances 81
wealth, if thought my honors ana reWa T
had been gained by a sacrifice of creed. The
preservation of my own self-respect Is mn
nitelv preferable 10 all such gains. ! have
come out of the war poor, but, God willing,
Shall make q support for my family. Inc
President treats me as an outlaw, unworthy
of amnesty. i have nothing 10 say. If l am
deemed unworthy to be a citizen, can remain
in my native land as an alien. A magnani-
nous people would have passed an act OF gene
raj amnesty, it being absurd and ridiculous to
talk about rebels and traitors i'll connection
with such revolution rs has swept over the
length and breadth of this land, in which
States and not individuals merely, We're the
actors. But enough of this subject. L am
still in Mobile, but ii is yet uncertain where l
shall go, or what l shall do. If save five or
six thousand dollars out of the wreck OF my
affairs it will be fully as much rs expect. L
think of retiring into the country, where,
upon n small farm / can live in obscurity and
peace the fewyears that remain TO me. My
children are ali grown are well educated, and
will be able, if the worst comes TO the worst,
to take care of themselves.
Remember me kindly to your family, my
dear brother and let me hear from you. We
have become old men. We have both had our
troubles, but the chain of affection which
binds me 10 You remains unaffected by the
cares of the world, and is as bright now as
when we slept in each others arms.
Your affectionate brother, X. SEMMEs.
Address . r. SEMMEs, Esq