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ASHAEL SUMNER DEAN
CIVIL WAR LETTERS TO
HIS FAMILY
Charleston S.C. August 4, 1864
Dear Sister,
The FULTON has been delayed so I will
send you and Virginia a note I think you did very well in your last letter.
You make your sentences smoother and have improved in penmanship. Can you say
as much of me? Now I am not fishing for a compliment. Let me write you
about the exchange of prisoners. Last night, Major General Foster and staff
on the str.' COSMOPOLITON and Admiral Dahlgren on the HARVEST MOON with his
staff left Port Royal and this morning anchored off Morris Island. We were
soon joined by Major General Sickles and staff and Governor Hakin of
Louisiana. We were all under Moultries and Sumpter. The Rebel Flag of truce
being between the two. At 10:00 o'clock the exchange was made and they came
down by the fleet. Each ship in turn given loud cheers. Every ship being
covered with flags. At the last moment the PAWNEE fired a salute of 13 guns
and then they all came on board the "HM". Major Generals, Prisoners and all.
There were 50 Prisoners, all officers who have been under fire in C. The Rebs
wanted an exchange. They did not like to have theirs on Cummings Point.
I saw all the men who were exchanged and
a sorry looking set, ragged, but not dirty. They were blindfolded when they
were taken down the harbor so they would not see the fortifications. They
gave us Rebel papers. They were a happy lot of men and glad enough to meet
their superior officers. They sent up cheer on cheer for them. After they
had talked for two or three hours all the prisoners and dignitaries went on
board the USS ADMIRAL and had a dinner given by General Sickles. You remember
he lost his leg at "Gettysburg". He is a fine looking man if he had but one
leg. Governor Hakin is a cripple too and so is General Wessel, one of the
prisoners. They also say they had the very best of treatment after they got
to Charleston. They lent them all they wanted and gave them a chance to buy
anything they chose. They gave them good quarters and a bath house and they
were not much exposed to our fire. Only one shell having struck in their
enclosure. They had many delicacies sent to them by the ladies and negroes.
They say there are many in Charleston who want the war closed on any terms.
Annie I hope you are well and happy and
are having a good time in keeping house. For of course your school is
closed. I am anxious to hear from Mother and hope she is much better. You
may not know if I do not tell you I have written in haste for a boat may go at
any moment with the mail which will leave in an hour or so.
Your brother with very much love
A.S. Dean
(Sumner is
related closely to Charles Sumner the "antislavery" man. Dr Dean's mother was
a Sumner Annies mother was a second wife, she is therefore his step sister.)
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HARVEST
MOON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
March 2006
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