The United States Light-House Board - 1860: Raphael Semmes

Raphael Semmes is and will always be most noted for his command of the Confederate raiding ship Alabama during the American Civil War. As a military officer he is perhaps unique in having served with both the Navy and Army of the United States and both the Navy and the Army of the Confederate States of America. Largely self-educated, he was well read, fluent in several languages, and an astute student of international law. His interests and knowledge extended as well to astronomy, weather patterns, and military, social, and cultural history.