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Captain Semmes hauled down his colors as the Alabama began to sink, but the Kearsarge continued to fire. He sent his wounded in boats to the Kearsarge. Captain Winslow was not prompt to send relief, and permitted ten of the Alabama's men to drown. More would have drowned but for the assistance given by a French pilot-boat and the Deerhound, which was the steam yacht of Mr. Lancaster, an English gentleman. At the last moment Captain Semmes threw his sword into the sea, and leaped in with First Lieutenant Kell. They were picked up by the Deerhound and carried to England, where they were well treated. The English presented to Semmes a beautiful new sword and refused to surrender him to Captain Winslow.

5. The "Alabama Claims."-After the war the United States charged England with having violated the neutrality laws. The reasons given for bringing these charges were that England had permitted the Alabama and other Confederate cruisers to be built in English shipyards and to sail from English ports. The conference of nations which tried the case met at Geneva, Switzerland, in 1872. In settling the "Alabama Claims," as they were called, the Geneva Conference decided that England should pay the United States $15,000,000. This amount represented the damages which were thought to have been inflicted on the United States commerce by the Alabama, under Captain Semmes, the Shenandoah, under Captain Waddell, and other Confederate cruisers.

1872

6. Services on Land.-Captain Semmes returned to the Confederate States, was made admiral, and put in command of the James river fleet. When the Confederates were forced to leave Richmond, he blew up his fleet and made landsmen of his "jackies." He carried them by train to Danville, where he formed a brigade and surrendered with General Johnston in North Carolina.

Admiral Semmes was arrested by order of Gideon Welles, the secretary of the navy, and imprisoned for four months in the Marine Barracks in Washington. He was released without trial.

7. Later Life.-Admiral Semmes was elected probate judge of Mobile county, but President Johnson refused to let him serve. He then took up the practice of law, and passed his remaining years among beloved friends and in civil pursuits. He Aug. 30, died August 30, 1877, at Point Clear. His remains rest in the Catholic cemetery near Mobile.

1877

During the day of his burial "tributes of respect were everywhere to be seen in Mobile. From the consular office, from the boats, from the shipping in port, drooped the flags at half-mast. Every half hour from sunrise to sundown the cannons' boom echoed over the mourning city. The noble spirit was gone. His memory is dear to all."

In honor of the memory of Admiral Semmes, his birthday, September 17, has been chosen by Alabama Division, United Daughters of the Confederacy, for one of their special days to bestow crosses of honor on Confederate veterans.

8. Writings.-Semmes was the author of Service Afloat and Ashore during the Mexican War, Campaign of General Scott in the Valley of Mexico, and Memoirs of Service Afloat during the War between the States-books delightfully interesting in style and full of valuable history.

SUMMARY

Raphael Semmes, of Maryland, entered the navy at an early age and served during the War with Mexico. He offered his services to the Confederacy and was placed in command of the Sumter. With this vessel and the Alabama, which he afterwards commanded, he virtually destroyed the ocean commerce of the United States. In 1864, the Alabama was sunk by the Kearsarge. Semmes returned to the Confederate States and was given the rank of admiral. After surrendering with General Johnston in North Carolina, he was imprisoned by the Federal authorities. After the war he practiced law in Tennessee and in Alabama. He is the author of several notable books.

QUESTIONS

1. Sketch the early life of Raphael Semmes. 2. On what mission was he sent by President Davis? 3. Narrate the inciIdents of the cruise of the Sumter. 4. Give an account of the building, launching, and arming of the Alabama. 5. Sketch the cruise of the Alabama. 6. Describe the fight with the Kearsarge. 7. What were the "Alabama Claims," and how were they settled? 8. What services did Semmes render to the Confederacy after the Alabama had been sunk? 9. What did he do after the war? 10. Name the books written by him.

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1. Federal Plans.-In the spring of 1863, the Army of the Cumberland under General Rosecrans lay in Murfreesboro. General James A. Garfield, who afterward became President of the United States, was General Rosecrans's chief of staff.

At Rock Run in Cherokee county was a furnace that supplied quantities of iron to the Confederate government. General Garfield felt sure that it could be captured and destroyed together with the line of railroad and the Confederate supplies about Rome,

Georgia. Colonel Abel D. Streight was selected to lead the raiding force of about two thousand picked cavalrymen. General Garfield was in high glee, counting upon nothing but the success of his plans. Colonel Streight and his troops started from Tuscumbia. They passed Mount Hope in Lawrence county on April 27 at the time when Forrest and Apr. 2 Roddy were preparing to contest the advance of the Federals under General Dodge. The next day Dodge's forces were repulsed at Town Creek.

2. Streight Attacked by Forrest.-General Forrest, "the Wizard of the Saddle," heard of Streight's advance through the mountains, guessed his purpose, and began pursuit. A little after midnight in the morning of April 29, Forrest left Courtland. About the same time Streight was passing out of Moulton, sixteen miles away. Early on the morning of April 30, he was overtaken and attacked by Forrest. In the terrific skirmish battle that followed, the Federals, who had secured the better position, succeeded in capturing two pieces of artillery.

Streight hurried on into Blount county, knowing that Forrest would attack again as soon as the main body of his troops could catch up. The Federals scattered along the route of their retreat much booty and baggage. As night came on they had to fight again. Forrest recovered the two pieces of artillery, which they had captured in the morning, and drove the Federals towards Blountsville.

3. The Pursuit.-At Blountsville Streight discarded his wagons and packed a portion of his baggage on mules that he might move the faster. He

1863

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