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"...died as he had lived, discharging the highest duty of a patriot with devotion that never faltered and courage that shrank from no danger."
- General Robert E. Lee, on Confederate General Paul J. Semmes
At the start of the Civil War, Semmes was appointed colonel of the
2nd Georgia Infantry. On March 11, 1862, Semmes was promoted to brigadier general, and his men were assigned to Toomb’s division in General Magruder’s “Army of the Peninsula”, the right wing of the Army of Northern Virginia. Semmes led his brigade at Yorktown, Williamsburg and Seven Pines. His brigade was then attached to McLaw’s Division and fought at Savage Station, Malvern Hill, and Cramptons’s Gap during the Battle of South Mountain. Semmes’ brigade played a key role in General McLaws’ counterattack at Antietam and fought at the Battle of Chancellorsville where it was heavily engaged at Salem Church. Many of his regiments lost half of their men in the battle, with many of the regimental commanders wounded.
At the historic Battle of Gettysburg, Semmes’ brigade’s attack on July 2nd helped destroy Sickles’ Corps and advanced towards the famous Wheatfield. Major Samuel P. Hamilton wrote about Semmes and his men’s ordeal: “I observed a wounded man being borne from the field
in a blanket. By the number of attendants, I soon perceived that it was an officer of rank and in a moment after recognized that officer as Gen. Semmes...I saw the charge of his brigade...No ordinary ordeal as it theirs to meet: a plain swept by thirty pieces of cannon first to be passed- a precipitous mountain, jagged with rocks to be scaled in the face of brigade upon brigade of the enemy, strongly positioned on its sides... among all the brave men who there fought and there fell, I venture to
234 assert that no more complete soldier, more faithful officer or more heroic
spirit there received his doom than Paul J. Semmes.” As he was leading
his men’s charge across the perilous battlefield, Semmes was hit in the thigh. The shot severed his femoral artery according to news reports, but a surgeon was able to quickly close the artery and prevented him from bleeding to death, and he was evacuated from the field and taken to Martinsburg, West Virginia. He telegraphed to his wife letting her know he was seriously wounded, and then wrote her a letter on July 9, 1864, that is now in the collection of The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. In it he states: “I was wounded on the 2 inst. at Gettysburg, Penn...I was wounded in the leg but stopped the flow of blood in the field by a Tournequet applied by myself and drawn by one of my men of the 10 Ga & lost but little blood.” Towards the end of the letter he added, “God will fully spare my life. We all have cause to be thankful to Him.” He died the following day, eight days after being shot. The same institution has the letter of condolence written by Mary Ogden to Emily J. Semmes on July 10, 1863, that was referenced by Flayderman. In it she wrote, “One little circumstance I have forgotten; a few moments before the General died, he asked for his sword, laying it across his arm, he asked again for his Testament and took it and with it in his hands expired, they would have left it so, but that he had asked that you should have it it. Oh! if all our warriors might die as he did, death would be robbed of half its sting.” His body was brought back to Columbus to be buried in Linwood Cemetery and his effects were returned to his family. Reflecting on his death, General Robert E. Lee wrote Semmes “died as he had lived, discharging the highest duty of a patriot with devotion that never faltered and
courage that shrank from no danger.”
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine. The sword is absolutely untouched and of strikingly elegant colored patinas on its silver plate, consisting of brilliant blues, bronzes, silvers and gold of varying intensities and all retaining polish. The sword shows use and carry but was obviously well cared for. The blade retains almost all of its acid etch and much of its original polish mixing with stains and slight corrosion, as would be expected from a weapon that was carried in the Civil War. The hilt retains 95% original silver plating and has a very few minor dings on the grip. The engraving is crisp. The scabbard retains 95% of the original heavy silver plating. There is a crack visible in a deeply engraved flourish near the middle of the scabbard (almost unnoticeable) and a minor dent near the throat. The hilt and scabbard show numerous slight dings and scratches, again, as would be expected on a sword that was carried. The overall appearance of the sword is stunningly beautiful. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire an incredible Confederate sword carried by a general officer who fought at Gettysburg and ultimately died from his wounds received on that hallowed battlefield. If you only want the very best for your collection or one historical sword that towers over others classified as “World-Class”, this may be your opportunity.
Estimate: 75,000 - 150,000