Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1867-11-14
sEMMEs AND GEN. FORREST

ADMIRAL sEMMEs AND GEN. FORREST
The Memphis correspondent of the Cincinnati
Commercial, Republican, gives the following pei
portraits of Admiral Semmes and General Forrest
in letter to that journal: 55s.
'This leads me to speak of Admiral Semmes. -
1t was my fortune to know him well. We differed
about many political questions, but there was nc
one whose personal trs;ls won more Of the writer's
esteem. He is generous, truthful, kindly and a.
miable as woman, always smiling, even-temper.
led, and perhaps better colloquist than writer
In social intercourse there is no one whose man.
ner, bearing and excellent good sense would gam
more respect and more speedily conciliate an enc,
my and make friend. His habits are fultless.
He has none of the vices of sailor save IN aver
sion to boots His nose and face have all the rud-
dy marks that distinguish an old salt He uses
no stimulant. His eyes are blue, clear and win
ming in expression. He always smiles when he
greets you. His apparel is plain, and gait erect
and graceful enough. He is slender and straight,
weighing not more than one hundred and twenty
five pounds His height is five feet nine or ten
inches and his age fifty-fye. ~ ~ y:,ssa
"Such is Raphael Semmes, who has been as
grossly represented by Northern newspapers and
letter-writers as any participant in the late war;
Whether his conduct was defensible or not, it is
certainly true that he never once questioned the
legality and propriety ofhis course. BE deemed
the Alabama lawful cruiser, invested with every
right which vessel acquires as part of the terri
tory of recognized belligerent. Of his deeds he
himself will write the story. He has all needful
materials for an interesting book, which at some
day he will give to the world. The Admirable
insists upon his proper title-has returned to Mo-
bile. 1t is thought, however, that he wall make
Memp his his home. ;..as.a1n5., ~ %:
Forrest is another marked character, who is
not so much miaepresented or misunderstood.
He carries with him into business life all those ex-
traordinay physical, moral and intellectual quail
ties which distinguished him as soldier. He was
addicted to money-making before he became q SOL
dier, and was eminenly successful. He is now
contractor on the Memphis and Little Rock Rail
road has taken contract to pave some miles OF
Memphis streets; is President Of successful in
surance company, and withal has devoted, much
time to the preparation, for the press, Of his me-
moirs The book will appear next month, pub
lished by Messrs. Blelock & Co. Forrest is Who'll
ly unlike Semmes He is quite six feet and an
inch or two high. Before his health was impaired
by wounds and hard marches, bis weight was one
hundred and eighty or ninety pounds. In physi-
cal strength he was match for prize ring cham
pion. His hair was jet black, his skin dark, eyes
blue and mild enough until the devil within wasl
aroused. He now grows grey. His step is not 80
elastic as in 1861, and yet there is an unexpended
vigor ofmind and body which assures him of a.
life. ~
'The book which Blelock publishes will be q
plain narrative of Forests deeds. have read
many pages Of the manuscript and am led to be-
lieye that Northern soldiers who encountered For
rest will say that it is modest and truthful, even
as it is well written and its facts carefully colated
The book is certainly free from prejudice, which
q Dill L. Ia