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ASHAEL SUMNER DEAN
CIVIL WAR LETTERS TO
HIS FAMILY
April 29 1864, Bay Chesapeake
Dear Virginia,
You can hardly know how beautiful the
day is. Just warm enough. Just quiet enough. The bay is full of the biggest
laziest fattest ducks you ever saw and we are enjoying ourselves very much. I
go on deck and look over the rail and drink in as much enjoyment as I can ever
have away from you. If you and the children were with me I could be as happy
as a schoolboy. I hastily made an envelope and send it to Nellie. If she
would like me to I will here after enclose a letter when I write to you. I
can't tell you how much joy I have in thinking of our children of mine.
Nobody has any like them. I was talking with a very sensible, capable man, an
engineer,
about them when lo, he had two and one of them a Fred only six days older than
ours and strange, he thinks there is no boy like his and the Pay.
is sure no boy is anything like his Fred. In short, you should be near and
hear some remarks and you would be convinced that all us married officers have
very fine families. 0h, a man loves his home. How much of this longing has
been made necessary by a few wicked designing men. I am reading the book of
Job. I have read twenty chapters and when I am through I am going to review
it. I like it much. I never read it much. I read a chapter in the forenoon
and then sing a familiar hymn, the same we so often have sung so many times
together and it makes me feel happier and everything looks better, but let me
break off short again and say I love you, but must leave you. Have faith in
God Virginia. All our hope is in him. Again kiss the little ones. I long to
see you all and certainly shall because (letter ends here-ed.)
Surgeon Deane begins writing again on
the front, perpendicular to the normal writing axis
... God's family and are in his keeping
are you happy when you look at Fred while he sleeps and know that you have
given him to God? I know you will be a good girl Virginia, a husband never
looked upon a young mother, with more satisfaction than I do upon you and I
feel you are fulfilling your mission most nobly. Sumner loves you, your
children love you, and Jesus loves you more than all. How much you are loved!
Are you not very happy then?
Ever yours, S.
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MOON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
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