The spectacular career of the Confederacy's most famous raider was closed yesterday, 150 years ago.
Before his last battle, Semmes reminded his men: "You have destroyed, and driven for protection under neutral flags, one-half of the enemy's commerce, which, at the beginning of the war, covered every sea."
The Alabama had captured and burned at sea 55 Union merchantmen valued at over four and one half million dollars, and had bonded ten others to the value of 562 thousand dollars.
Another prize, the Conrad, was commissioned the CSS Tuscaloosa, and herself struck at Northern shipping.
Flag Officer Barron lamented: "It is true that we have lost our ship; the ubiquitous gallant Alabama is no more, but we have lost no honor."
--Old B-R'er
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