SEMMES, Paul Jones

Confederate

Born: June 4, 1815, Wilkes County GA

Died: July 10, 1863, Martinsburg WV

Pre-War Profession: Banker, planter, commander Georgia Militia 1st Brigade of the 4th Division. He was the author of the 1855 manual, Infantry Tactics. quartermaster general, In August 1860 Semmes was appointed Brigadier General of the Knights of the Golden Circle.

War Service: Colonel of the 2nd Georgia Infantry. He was promoted to brigadier general on March 11, 1862, action at Crampton's Gap during the Battle of South Mountain, Sharpsburg, Battle of Fredericksburg, Semmes's reconstituted brigade served well at Chancellorsville.

Post War: Semmes was mortally wounded in the thigh while leading a charge across the Wheatfield at the Battle of Gettysburg on July 2, 1863. He died eight days later in Martinsburg, West Virginia.