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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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