Raphael Semmes
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Rear-admiral Raphael Semmes |
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| Born |
September 27, 1809 Charles County, Maryland, U.S. |
| Died | August 30, 1877 (aged 67) Mobile, Alabama, U.S. |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America (1826–1861) Confederate States of America (1861–1865)
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| Service/branch |
 United States Navy Confederate States Navy Confederate States Army
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| Years of service | 1826–1865 |
| Rank |
 Commander (USN) Rear Admiral (CSN) Brigadier General (CSA)(unconfirmed) |
| Commands held |
USS Somers (Mexican War) CSS Sumter (U.S. Civil War) CSS Alabama (U.S. Civil War) James River Squadron (U.S. Civil War) |
| Battles/wars | |
Mexican-American War
American Civil War
Raphael Semmes (September 27, 1809 – August 30, 1877) was an officer in the Confederate navy during the American Civil War. Prior to this, he had been a serving officer in the United States Navy from 1826 through 1860.
During the American Civil War, Semmes was captain of the cruiser CSS Alabama, the most successful commerce raider in maritime history, taking 65 prizes. Late in the war, he was promoted to rear admiral and also acted briefly as a brigadier general in the Confederate States Army. His appointment, or arrangement to act as, a temporary brigadier general from April 5, 1865 to April 26, 1865 was at most informal and that appointment was never submitted to or confirmed by the Confederate Senate.
Semmes was born in Charles County, Maryland, a cousin of future Confederate general Paul Jones Semmes and Union Navy Captain Alexander Alderman Semmes.
He graduated from Charlotte Hall Military Academy and entered the U. S. Navy as a midshipman in 1826. Semmes then studied law and was admitted to the bar. He was promoted to lieutenant in February 1837.
During the Mexican-American War, he commanded the brig USS Somers in the Gulf of Mexico. In December 1846 a squall hit the ship while under full sail in pursuit of a vessel off Veracruz, Mexico. Somers capsized and was lost along with 37 sailors. Semmes then served as first lieutenant on the Raritan, accompanied the landing force at Veracruz, and was dispatched inland to catch up with the army proceeding to Mexico City.
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Wikipedia