Thomas Jenkins Semmes

Thomas Semmes
Confederate States Senator
from Louisiana
In office
February 18, 1862  May 10, 1865
Preceded by Constituency established
Succeeded by Constituency abolished
Personal details
Born December 16, 1824
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Died June 23, 1899 (aged 74)
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Political party Democratic

Thomas Jenkins Semmes (December 16, 1824 June 23, 1899) was a lawyer and politician in the state of Louisiana who served in the Confederate States Senate during much of the American Civil War.

Semmes was born in Washington, D.C. He studied law, passed the bar exam, and established a practice in New Orleans, Louisiana. Semmes served as a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, the state attorney general, and was a delegate to the Louisiana secession convention in 1861. He was later a Confederate Senator in 1862-1865. His home in Federal-occupied New Orleans was commandeered by order of Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler to quarter Union troops. Semmes was a strong supporter and advocate of Louisiana troops, including the famed Louisiana Tigers, in which his brother Andrew served as a regimental surgeon.[1][2]

Semmes died in New Orleans and was interred in Metairie Cemetery.

Notes

Legal offices
Preceded by
Warren Moise
Attorney General of Louisiana
1860–1864
Succeeded by
Flavillus Goode
Confederate States Senate
New constituency Confederate States Senator (Class 2) from Louisiana
1862–1865
Served alongside: Edward Sparrow
Constituency abolished