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GETTYSBURG BATTLE MAP SHOWING SEMMES AS MORTALLY WOUNDED
Paul Jones Semmes was born in Wilkes County, Georgia, in 1815, attended the University of Virginia and returned to Wilkes County to become a banker and planter.
In 1837, he was elected commander of
the Georgia Militia, 1st Brigade of the 4th
Division, a commission he held until 1840
when he moved to Columbus, Georgia.
From 1846 to 1861, Semmes served as a
captain in the Georgia militia. He authored
an infantry tactics manual in 1855 and in
1860 was appointed quartermaster general
for the state, giving him the power to handle
all military related purchases. This sword
was presented to Semmes while he served
as a captain of the Columbus Guards, also
known as the Red Jackets. The Columbus
Guard served as the military honor company
at the inauguration of Jefferson Davis, and,
per Flayderman, “Semmes was in overall
command of the military at that affair and
doubtless carried this sword.” 233