Today is the 148th Anniversary of a telegram sent from Montgomery to Raphael Semmes in Washington, D.C., ordering him to report for duty in the fledgling Confederate Navy.
"Sir, on behalf of The Committee on Naval Affairs, I beg leave to request that you will repair to this place at your earliest convenience."
Your Obedient Servant
C.M. Conrad, Chairman*
He received it as he and family were eating dinner and responded at once:
"Dispatch received. I will be with you immediately.
Two days later Semmes was on a train headed for Montgomery, the new Capitol of the Confederacy, and for his future as captain of the CSS Sumter and The CSS Alabama.
For more about Semmes, see our blog: http://www.cssalabama.tv/
* Conrad was Chairman of the Committee on Naval Affairs, CSA House of Representatives
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