At the close of the struggle (a) Admiral (b) General Semmes accepted the inevitable; returned to his home in Alabama, and—despite Federal molestations, imprisonment and persecutions—devoted his energies to building up the South, engaging in literary pursuits and the practice of law, holding a judgeship, having in early manhood been admitted to the bar in Cumberland. Maryland, even while a young naval officer.
Responding to an invitation to be present at the Admiral Semmes Centennial Celebration, Rear Admiral Winfield S. Schley, U. S. N., a native of Maryland, wrote, September 14, 1909:
"Admiral Semmes was one of the most accomplished officers of the old navy and the reputation he achieved during the Civil War ought to be honored everywhere by brave men and gentle women. As a Marylander his name will live in the history of his State among her illustrious sons."
Emperor William II, of Germany, in 1894, said to the American Consul at Breslau, Germany—Mr. Frederick Opp:
"Then you are a native of the State [Alabama] that claims the great Raphael Semmes." After remaining silent about half a minute, his countenance bearing evidence of sincere interest and deep feeling, he said: "Mr. Consul, I assure you. this meeting is indeed eventful for me. I reverence the name of Semmes. In my opinion, he was the greatest Admiral of the nineteenth century. At every conference with my Admirals I counsel them to closely read and study Semmes' "Memoirs of Services Afloat." I myself feel constant delight in reading and re-reading the mighty career of the wonderful 'Stormy Petrel.'" Mr. Opp. writing to Chairman Peters, added: "The occasion was the unveiling of the statue of Emperor William I, at Breslau, Germany, in the spring of 1894, at which were present the crowned heads of Europe, or their ambassadors, and the Ambassadors and Consuls of the United States, Field Marshals, Admirals, courtiers, civil and clerical dignitaries."
No tribute from his surviving comrades in arms, sailors and soldiers alike, can be too high for such a splendid figure as Raphael Semmes. He represents the best blood and type of
