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ASHAEL SUMNER DEAN

 CIVIL WAR LETTERS TO HIS FAMILY

 

 

 

Charleston Roads Sept 18th 1864

 My own Dear Virginia,

   Your welcome letter came yesterday, it was hard to do without over one mail.  I expect it was miscarried it may come yet.  The papers came up in a tug this morning and in two hours a mail will go to New York.  It is indeed a great blessing that we can communicate so often.  I am next to being with you can't you almost feel me.  I think Henry will hardly get into the service after all his trials if he has to wait six months.  I hope he will not find the service in need of him or any one.  We are much encouraged by all we hear   K. Dunbar  I always like  She retrograted    marriage  She is of course as (LETTER STOPS, BOTTOM OF PAGE TORN AWAY-ed)

  I am sorry for little Fred.  He is......you  will ......care   Keep him in flannel let him wear a flannel band about his bowels always.  I expect he is a little man.   It is a very great denial not to see them grow and hear their young prattle.  You can say Sumner, I shall say Fred!  I expect you do kiss him because he is your boy! He is very like you I expect.  Well, he has a good mother.  Dear are you short of money?  You can't be now.  You have received the $125.  I am not going to plague you anymore in this way.  I have written to the Secretary of the Navy for permission to allot $75 of my monthly pay for the support of my family and you can get it in Boston in the way I spoke of when I first left home and then you will have (LETTER STOPS, BOTTOM OF PAGE TORN AWAY-ed)

  I think you would find Mrs. Doc. Dickinson a very nice little woman, virtuous, modest, proud in a certain way and entertaining so far as I have seen her such must be my opinion.  I wrote Jossie this week.  He does not refer to Sherman in any way.  Capt. Warren has a leave of absence and goes North in the next steamer.  It is a small chance that he returns to us.  We are to return to P.R.(Port Royal-ed) as soon as this storm subsides and shall remain I think a week or so, we cannot tell.  Everything is quiet, no news, no fighting in view excepting this continued artillery fight on Sumpter & Charleston.  We don't mind it as much as thunder.  We start a fire in the city occasionally.  One was burning yesterday.  More damage is intended to be done to buildings and fortifications than to individuals.

  You may buy me 2 or 3 doz. small buttons and buckle or so for pants and pack them away in the box.  I may want them sometime.

 You must tell me very much of your visit to Boston and Lemiras visit to you.

  Do people in the North think the war is soon to close?  We are anxious to see our wives and babies.  You can not tell what a passion it has become.  Why Virginia, I have not seen you for 7 months and I do feel like seeing you and know I used to put my cheek against yours and tell you it was soft and do you know the place in your arm I like to Kiss?  You are my jewel.  I do miss you.  I do love you and hope I can see you before a year or half a year.

  You would never think this to be Sunday.  Our wardroom is full of business.  Table covered with papers and officers reporting to the Fleet Captain.  Two vesssels are on a chase to day.  It will be short.  I shall be glad for a quiet Sunday.  I am not in a pleasant frame of mind, these things have tried me.  I hope only for a day, pray for your Sumner.  Your papers were opportune this afternoon it is very busy.   I must close my letter you will receive it soon I trust.

  Give love to all, kiss the babies for papa.  I kissed you the last time 7 mos. ago and have not used my lips for that purpose since.  Send your photograph if you have one.  Ever trust and faithful God bless you all.

                                                                                                                  Sumner

 

 

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March 2006

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