The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-09-05

| RE2l6G LQ 11Tb. E1CkGn8 anu the CntlQ- reni The program for the occasion will be published next Sunday.
 have requested every chapter to subscribe for the Sunday Advertiser as matters of importance to the Daugh- | ters will be discussed in its colum ms
 If have failed to respond promptly to any request of the Daughters, made
 in the last three weeks, am sure you win bear with me when you know that great sorrow has come into my life in the death of my mother. l The tender sympathy of the Alabama Daughters expressd in numerous let- ters, teiegrams and resolutions is deep
 iy appreciated and will always be re- | membersd.
 1 Faithfully Yours Letitia Dowdell Ross l s@ Raphael semmes.
 | On the 27th of September, 1909, in Piscataway, Prince Charles county.
 Ind. was born Raphael Semmes, the
 subject of this sketch. On the 27th of September next. the tooth anniversary
 Of the birth of the famous Admiral, Will recall to the mind and memory of I the patriotic men and women of the
 South, the remarkable career of the | world-renowned Alabama" and the
 great services of her illustrious cap
 tain, Raphael Semmes. in obeying so | = Secretary of the Confederate States Navy. to DO the enemy's commerce time."
 Never in naval history has such a
 significant order been so signaily | obeyed
 In the words of the solicitor of the United States Navy Department, who was charged with the duty of secur- ing evidence upon which to try Cap tain Semmes before a military com mission. Never has there occurred so striking an example of the tremen- dous power Of mischief possessed by l single cruiser, acting upon this de-
 structive plan as that furnished by the
 Sumter" and her successor. the Ala bama" under the command of Semmes,
 whose untiring activity. restless
 energy, and fiery zeal found no voyage | too long. or movement too prompt or too rapid. no danger too great, no labor too wearisome in the "aocom- plishment of the Confederate purpose
 to ruin our commerce by destroying our ships" Such testimony from the
 enemy" will well serve as introduc- | tory to brief resume of the life and services of the man, Semmes, so characterized.
 Raphael Semmes was by birth, of an illustrious Maryland family of French and English descent. His immediate progenitors were Richard Thompson Semmes. and Catharine Hare Middle ton. his wife.
 By adoption. Raphael semmes was an Ambamian. He was appointed e mid shipman in the United States navy by President John Quincy Adams, in 1926,
 and in the ensuing winter, he made
 his first cruise in the sloop of war. Lexington, under Captain Shubrick, | despatched to Brazil to bring home the remains of Commodore Perry.
 In 1892 he passed his examinations In Baltimore. coming out first in | mathematics and second in seaman.
 ship While waiting orders as a 1 passed midshipman, he studied law with his only brother, Samuel Middle ton semmes of Cumberland, Md, and was admitted to the practice of law. In 1887, he married Annie E, Spencer. | of family distinguished in colonial l and revolutionary annals. Being com.
 missioned . lieutenant in this year, 1887. he was employed in, the routine of Professional duty for several years. n ISL he was ordered on . survey of
 ship Island. and the adjacent waters of Mississippi Sound. and in 1s42, took his family to reside near the mouth or Perdido river in Alabama.
 In the war with Mexico, he was on duty as first lieutenant of the brig Porpoise, but was soon after trans- ferred to the frigate Cumberland, and
 supsequentiy to. the Raritan. the flag
 ship of Commodore Connor then com-
 mahding the Gulf squadron. In
 november, he was assigned to the com
 mand of the brig Somers of ten guns.
 while pursuing suspected vessel in heavy mortimer, December sth. 1eSe
 the somers capsized. sinking in ten
 minutes, and losing half of her crew Of hundred men. After clinging to portion of the wreckage for two
 hours. Semmes was rescued by an
 English war vessel in port A court or Inquiry, called at his request not only acquitted him of all blame. but highly commended him for meritorioua conduct on this occasion. Retoining
 the Raritan as flag lieutenant. he as- sisted in planning and superintended the landing of General scott's troops et vera Cruz. March 9th. 1s47. During
 the seige Of that city. March 27th. he had charge for a while, of the heavy
 guns. placed on shore by the Raritan which rendered efficient service in preaching the walls and hasteninr the
 surrender. Tn the following IprIl
 Semnes was ordered on a special mic
 sion to the City of Mexico to effect
 me excnange of certain naval prison
 CTS ,who were held as suspected spies.
 Joinlns the army of General Scott at
 Jalapa. he became attached as voiuns
 teer aid-de- camp to the military
 family of General Worth, in which
 capacity he took an active part in ali
 the battles of the Valley of Mexico
 his services being repeatedly acknowl, edged with high conmendations in of
 .icial dispatches. The Legislature of Maryland passed c series of snecial
 resolutions. experimenting him for dIs- 9inguishej gallantry, and recommend.
 ing him for promotion. After the
 Mexican war. Lieutenant Semmes. stiIi lieutenant. (for the United stataa
 nad not then entered on a career of
 expansion) was inspector of light
 houses for the eighth district. with
 residence in Mobile. Later hs v,ss
 promoted to the rank of commanSer
 and assigned to duty in washington
 D. c. 'oh'
 It was at this time that the severest trial of his life fell upon hfm-tba severing of the lifelong ties that bound him to his life's profession
 For in these eventful days of 1ssO-eI the country was burning as with fever and the air was hot with contendtnr passions. The animosity long smouId- ering between the two sections waa about to burst into the flame oT Civil War all men were taking sides.
 The sovereign state of Alabama with drew from the Union. The side of tba United States. or the side of his State To choose either meant acute main
 The attachment of officers, soldiers or sailors to the flag is greater than A civilian can realize. And yet. Corn mander Semmes felt that Alabama;s call was paramount. He must follow