Raphael Semmes

Raphael Semmes
Born	(1809-09-27)September 27, 1809 Nanjemoy, Maryland, US
Died	August 30, 1877(1877-08-30) (aged 67) Mobile, Alabama, US
Allegiance	United States  Confederate States
Branch	United States Navy  Confederate States Navy
Service years	1826–1861 (USN) 1861–1865 (CSN)
Rank	Commander (USN) Rear admiral (CSN)
Commands held	USS Somers CSS Sumter CSS Alabama
Wars	Mexican–American War American Civil War

Raphael Semmes (/sɪmz/ SIMZ; September 27, 1809 – August 30, 1877) was an officer in the Confederate Navy during the American Civil War. He was previously a serving officer in the US Navy from 1826 to 1860.

During the American Civil War, Semmes was captain of the cruiser CSS Alabama, the most successful commerce raider in maritime history, taking 65 prizes. Late in the war, he was promoted to rear admiral and also acted briefly as a brigadier general in the Confederate States Army. His appointment or arrangement to act as a temporary brigadier general from April 5 to April 26, 1865, was never submitted to or officially confirmed by the Confederate Senate.