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ASHAEL SUMNER DEAN

 CIVIL WAR LETTERS TO HIS FAMILY

 

 

 

Mouth Savannah River                        May 9th 1864

 

Dear Sisters Anna and Louise,

 

  As much that I have to write would only be repeated were I to write separately.  I will address this to you both and because I have not heard from home recently I shall be pardoned if this relates to me mainly.  I should like very much to be with you at home so I might see you all and because the changes that have taken place since I left.  You know one's leaving home is the signal for changes.  I am leading a very quiet life here in the mouth of the river which is more of an estuary than a river.  In fact I am more obliged to be quiet with the thermometer at 100º in the shade.  It must be very much warmer on the beach.  I am for all that pleasure where I like warm weather and so long as it is not much more than 100º I will not complain.  We lie under Tybee Island, about a mile below Fort Pulaski.  We keep behind the Point so as to be out of sight of shipping standing in and as soon as it is dark we go across over beside the South Carolina shore and watch for anything suspicious.  Tybee belongs to Georgia.  You know the river separates the states.  While the Steamer South Carolina, which is a large slow coach remains in the main channel and between us is anchored a small schooner.  We three are all the blockading force here.  You may have learned that the South Carolina took a very large steamer[1] a few weeks ago worth over $100,000.  I hope we may be as successful, but there is one other thing about it.  The shore on the South Carolina side is full of Secesh.  They keep their signal lights burning all night.  We can't, of course, know what they mean and Savannah is only nine miles up the river and the fact that they can float out a boat expedition and board and take us in the dark keeps us on a close watch.  I can tell you every man is "armed to the teeth" and we are extremely careful.  We are to hail rapidly three times and then fire into whatever comes along side.  Thus far we have not seen anything out of the way.  We are in no danger from storms and when the wind blows you may think of us in good anchorage and safe from the most violent weather.  We have a beautiful place to ride in.  The Georgia shore is high and within one half mile of where we are during the day is as nice a beach as you ever saw and on the shoals are as many oysters as we want.  All Tybee Island is ours and we are safe on the shore.  I am told the locality is not sickly.  I am very well indeed at this time.  I take a bath in salt water every morning and the remainder of the day keep under the large canvas awning out of the sun and endeavor to keep cool.  The heat makes one dull and lazy.  The only thing lively are the sturgeons.  They are about four feet in length and are numerous here.  They jump out of water six or eight feet, turn a summersault and go back again.  The Porpoises are very lazy for not withstanding they can go much faster than any steamer in the bay they hardly move. They come up and blow and then go down.  They are an affectionate fish and nearly always go in pairs.  I have frequently been on the South Carolina.  The Dr. belongs in Farmington, Maine, graduated in Boston last winter.  We shall see each other often, in fact, we go on the South Carolina as you go up stairs when you feel like it.  They have not had a mail for 20 days so you see I shall not hear from you often, but don't consider this an excuse for not writing because all you write will come in course.  I think I have got all you have sent but one letter from Virginia.  Tell her to send my lined coat and make up the box as soon as she can for it is very warm and I shall need the things.  We look for the Supply Ship Massachusetts in a week.  She comes once in 3 to 4 weeks and brings ice, fresh meat, medicine, packages for the men and officers and mails if they cannot be sent better some other way.  I have only two men sick.  They are not very sick.  One has a fever, the other a bad cold.  I have advice now as Dr. Vaughn comes to see me nearly everyday.

I am very pleasantly situated so far as bodily comforts is concerned.  Plenty to eat, a good bed, a good room, and everything but the familiar faces.  I hope everything, now so prosperous, may be continued and I may be soon allowed to come home.  I want you to be particular to tell me all the changes.  How about Mr. Engley, is he in jail and was it a mistake?  How are grand father and mother?  You must not omit to be particular and give me full accounts.  Tell Marcus I should like his shotgun for some of these ducks.  All our guns are rifled muskets.  Remember me to all and write every opportunity

  Affectionately your brother     A. Sumner Deane

 

P.S. Tell Virginia I sent her a letter by the same mail by which this goes and give my love to her and the babies.                                            Sumner


 

[1] Steamer Alliance, 12 April 1864.  Gross proceeds $25,041.  Distributed $23,281 to South Carolina and T.A. Ward.

 

 

 

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