Semmes : rebel raider / John M. Taylor.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Taylor, John M., 1930-

Series:

Military profiles

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Semmes, Raphael, 1809-1877.

Semmes, Raphael.

Confederate States of America. Navy.

Admirals--Confederate States of America--Biography.

Admirals.

Confederate States of America. Navy--Biography.

Confederate States of America.

United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Naval operations.

United States.

History.

Sea control.

Genre:

Biographies.

Physical Description:

x, 124 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations, plan ; 24 cm.

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Washington, D.C. : Brassey's, [2004]

Summary:

-- Chronicles the daring career of the commander of the CSS Alabama, one of the most famous Confederate warships of the Civil War and the most successful commerce raider of all time

-- Highlights Semmes's resourcefulness and the basis for his controversial reputation

-- Introduces the latest in Brassey's series Military Profiles, concise biographies of significant military leaders throughout history

One man -- Capt. Raphael Semmes -- dominates the history of Confederate naval operations in the American Civil War. Although the Confederates were hopelessly outnumbered at sea, Semmes roamed the oceans first in the CSS Sumter and then the CSS Alabama, capturing nearly 100 Federal merchant ships and precipitating a flight from the American flag that decimated the Federal merchant marine. Revered in the South as a hero, the North reviled and feared the Yankee-hating Semmes as a pirate. Regardless of his reputation, his wartime exploits were remarkable.

Noted historian and biographer John M. Taylor illustrates how, under Semmes's command, the Alabama became a household name in America and overseas, and struck fear into the hearts of ships' crews and passengers alike. Incredibly, Semmes and the Alabama traveled 75,000 miles, and as far east as Singapore, without ever taking refuge in a Confederate port. In 1864, off the coast of Cherbourg, France, the Union's USS Kearsarge finally caught up with the Confederate raider and fought the last ever ship-to-ship gun duel between wooden warships.

Contents:

Showdown off Cherbourg

The old navy

The cruise of the C.S.S. Sumter

The mysterious 290

The trail of fire

Ruling the waves

The "pirate" Semmes

Defiance

Remembering Raphael Semmes.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [117]-118) and index.

ISBN:

1574884190

OCLC:

50023615