Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-26

Special Correspondence Of The Star
RICHMOND, Va, September g. 1909
The Tooth anniversary Of the birth Of
Admiral Raphael Semmes, prominent
figure in the Confederate navy, will be
celebrated throughout the south Monday.
1t is probable that there will be little os.
tentation and display In connection with
the event, but the celebration will be none
the less heartfelt on that account. Gen.
Clement A. Evans of Georgia. command
er-in-chief Of the United Confederate Vet
Grams, and Mrs. Cornelia Branch Stone.
president general Of the United Daughters
Of the Confederacy. have issued orders re-
questing the cooperation of their respec-
tive organizations for the observance Of
the day.
The organized camps of the two or
CARNATIONS throughout the south will ac-
cordingly come together Monday for the
purpose of recalling the achievements Of
former commander. and to do honor to
the small but powerful navy of the Con-
federacy. which, without resources, won
name and fame. The inventions and &C.
complishments of the Confederate navy
are matters of history, and naval history
recalls no greater glory than that that
has descended upon the commander of the
Alabama.
The spirit of a Morse viking in the
bosom of southern gentleman made
Raphael Semmes one of the most unique
men Of his day. Descended from an old
Maryland family that dated its immigra-
ton to America from the seventeenth GEN.
fury, he was born In Charles county, Nd,
September n. 1909. After youth the
ambitions of which were divided between
he. a w
navy in 1882, six years after he had been
commissioned midshipman by President
John Quincy Adams. The Intervening
years were spent in the study of practical
desultory reading Of law with his brother,
an attorney of Cumberland, Md. He was
admitted to the bar. but found that the
adventurous life of the sea had charm
which he could not resist. In 1882, ac-
cordingly. he made his first cruise in the
naval service and. until he was defeated
at Cherbourg harbor, fin June, 1854, he
was seldom off the sea.
The years prior to his career in the Con-
federate service were crowded with Incl
dents. In July. 1885, he was ordered to
the frigate Constellation, on which he
served as acting master until appointed
lieutenant and assigned to the Norfolk
navy yard, in March, 1897. After varied
service as naval commandant and as di-
rector of coast survey investigations, he
was made flag lieutenant to Commodore
war. He was a participant In the spectac-
ular siege of Vera Cruz. and commanded
a slave battery of heavy guns when Fuss
and Feathers as Gen. Scott was called,
ordered the storming of the Mexican
stronghold. He was later placed in COM
mand of the brig Somers. and escaped
with his life by the merest good fortune
when that ship was struck and capsized
by q gale in the Gulf of Mexico. These
and similar adventures he has described
in full in his Memoirs OF Service Ahoat
and Ashore.
Enters Confederate Service.
The ending of the Mexican war re-
stored Semmes to less adventurous duties.
He was commissioned as commander in
October. 1856, and served on the light
house board until the gathering war
clouds broke in the storm of 1851. Six
teen years before Semmes had become a
citizen of Alabama. and he promptly re-
signed his commission to cast his fortune
with those of his adopted state.
At once began career OF exciting
adventure and hazardous daring unex
Confederacy. Upon his resignation he
made his way promptly to Montgomery
and offered his services to President
Jefferson Davis. and the first order Of the
Confederate president, as recorded In his
letter book. was a communication as
signing Semmes to a hazardous task. He
was ordered to proceed to the north and
secretly to secure arms and munitions
for the unequipped Confederate army and
navy.
In his capacity he appeared suddenly
in southern circles in Washington and
created a subdued sensation well record
ed In Mrs. Clement c. Clays Belle Of
the Fifties." He was partially success
full in this enterprise. Cunning New
England merchants readily sold him per-
cussion caps, arms and ammunition for
the gathering Confederate forces He
was unable, however, to secure what he
most desired-vessels that could be
transferred into feet Confederate cruisers
Attended Lincoln's Inauguration.
While in the north he was a silent OBJ
server Of the military pageant that at
tended the Inauguration of President
Lincoln. He witnessed in Washington
the first scenes of the drama In which
he was later to play so large a part
Returning to Montgomery. he prevailed
upon Secretary Mallory to get out cruisers
Of the merchants service. and could cope.
when necessary, with all but the heaviest
warships of the Federal navy.
His logic was convincing, and he Sc
cured permission to get up a cruiser, II
one could be secured. Such a vessel he
found in the Habana, a steamer plying
between New Orleans. La. and the Is
land of Cuba. His hand directed the
rebuilding of this vessel, which he finally
commissioned as the Sumter" With q
picked crew he left New Orleans and be-
Of a single man, ii Is said, he captured
\, NTH haf he