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ASHAEL SUMNER DEAN
CIVIL WAR LETTERS TO
HIS FAMILY
July 15th 1864
Dear Mother,
I am in the harbor of Port Royal with a
hundred ships in sight. The moon is now shining brightly. The air is warm and
every one seems to be enjoying themselves. The more so as the FULTON came in
today with its cargo of letters. I rec'd three papers and two long letters.
We were very sad to learn our Army has to fight so near home we expect to hear
of their being drawn back soon. I do hope they may.
Today I went to Hilton Head. From one
house it has become almost a city. We can buy everything you can only we pay
fabulous prices. I had to pay $5.00 for a pair of shoes and they were the
cheapest article. I saw hams 35cents, envelopes 30 cents a package. We can
buy all sorts of vegetables, watermelons, corn etc. We had a beautiful sail
and a good time. I have sent H & V two papers each which I bought. We are
now coaling the ship, but expect to go down the coast 30 miles to blockade
duty. There is a gunboat and a Monitor there now. It is the South channel to
Savannah. I think it will be a safe healthy station as good as "Tybee". I
shall not get the mail so soon by a few days. I will mention that I sent
Virginia a draft which I hope she may receive.
I spent a few minutes fishing tonight
after supper. I caught one. We all five. Quite enough for breakfast.
Usually we are not in one place long enough to fish successfully. My sick men
are all doing well even Mr. Wyatt is quite well and is doing duty. I do hope
it will not be sickly this summer. The men are out of vegetables and suffer.
Most of them have a crop of boils as a consequence. The Paymaster cannot
procure vegetables. We did not get any when the supply vessel came in for we
were on dispatch duty.
I am very glad to learn Edward has come
home safe. I always had a presentiment that he would, but at many times his
case looked doubtful. I hope I may be able to be welcomed home safe before a
year, the war closed and we a united people or at least a united territory. I
expect Father, Marcus and Henry are doing the haying with all dispatch and are
working very fast and hard. Do they mow with a machine? I hope they do. I
do not like to think of F swinging the scythe when he has so much to go over.
I know by experience what it is to mow, although I liked it quite as well as
raking. I am glad to learn the strawberry beds did so nicely. Shan't you do
more at the business, i.e. enlarge the bed? I read with much pleasure the
local items in the Chronicle and shall miss it very much. Do people like the
idea of it being stopped? They would appreciate even a poor paper when they
are away from home.
I passed a prison ship coming from the
"Head" on which is a Maj. Gen., Brig., and down to Col. A dozen or two. They
are to be placed under fire at Charleston in retaliation. They are building a
house for them under fire of Sumpter. I mean to write to Louisa or Virginia
in answer to theirs of today, if I can before the mail goes North.
Virginia says the Coneys are out from
Brooklyn I suppose they come over as often as they usually do! I know
Aunt is an exception. I had not heard that H was dead until Louise
told me. It seems he did not recover from his first illness. They will miss
him, (especially) his father. He used to help him very much. I was glad to
hear that V & babies were well. It always gives me a thankful heart to hear
such news. They have got along infinitely better then I had any reason to
expect. But let me say a good night to you. All My love to Father and all.
Affectionately,
Sumner
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