Union Weapons in Rebel Hands

Gerald A. Patterson's article "Arming the South with Guns From the North" in the October 2007 issue examined the role of Paul J. Semmes (among other notable Confederates) in securing arms and munitions from Northern states prior to the Civil War. Semmes' distant cousin Raphael Semmes, who commanded the raider CSS Alabama, was also involved in the effort to obtain arms from the North. In his book Services Afloat, Raphael Semmes explained his willingness to become involved even before the Confederacy had established its navy. Specifically, the future admiral secured machinery necessary to furnish Southern armories, such as machines to rifle cannon barrels.

Semmes wrote: "I found the [Northern] people everywhere, not only willing, but anxious to contract with me. I purchased large quantities of percussion caps in the city of New York and sent them by express without any disguise to Montgomery [Ala.]. I made contracts for batteries of light artillery, powder, and other munitions and succeeded in getting large quantities of the powder shipped. It was agreed between the contractors and myself that when I should have occasion to use the telegraph, certain other words were to be substituted for those of military import to avoid suspicion."

Thomas K. Tate
Orefield, Pa.

Thumbs Up for Stonewall Account

I thoroughly enjoyed the article on Stonewall's last journey—"He Is Dead, Yet He Liveth," by Tom E. Sanders (January 2008). It is fascinating to read the story of someone who was present at a momentous event—in this case made even more poignant by the inclusion of quotes from a letter, as well as the reunion photo of the 12th Georgia and the ambulance route map. Mr. San ­ ders' ancestor, John James Carson, who was wounded three times, served alongside my own ancestors in the "Calhoun Rifles." Learning about the proceedings of the 1919 United Confederate Veterans annual meeting was an added treat. I hope to see more stories of this nature in the future.

Stephen F. Gates
Charleston, S.C.

Enlightening Shiloh Story

My thanks to Timothy B. Smith for his outstanding article on Lew Wallace and the Battle of Shiloh ("Why Lew Was Late") in the January 2008 issue. Most of us are aware of Wallace's efforts to defend his actions during the battle, but I cannot recall a better explanation of this debate, Wallace's personal arguments and then Smith's expert analysis of this dispute in history and memory. Smith's article will be especially useful as my Civil War students prepare for an intense study of Shiloh.

Susannah U. Bruce
Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, Texas

Thanks for Getting It Right

In my role as the public relations specialist for the Museum of the Confederacy, I wanted to thank you for your piece on the MOC in the January issue ("Civil War Today," P. 12). Civil War Times is the first publication to take the time to get the facts completely right about plans for the new MOC system. Because it is a complicated idea, many other sources have gotten parts of the plan incorrect, leading some of our supporters to develop misconstrued conceptions and to have doubts about our institution's future.

We really appreciate being a part of Civil War Times and knowing that the readers of your magazine benefit from having the correct information provided to them.

Megan E. Stagg
Museum of the Confederacy
Richmond, Va.

Smalls' Role in Reconstruction

The item on Robert Smalls in the "Civil War Today" section of the February issue states that he was elected to the South Carolina legislature and to the U.S. Congress, where he served five terms. The term "elected" is actually misleading, at least regarding his appointment to the state legislature.

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