ASHAEL SUMNER DEAN
CIVIL WAR LETTERS TO
HIS FAMILY
Charleston Roads, U.S.S. Harvest Moon Nov. 8th 1864
Dear
Mother,:- I looked for your letter when I rec’d the first installment of the
last mail but I got no papers and but a single letter from Virginia But
the day after the mail went North yours Anna and Virginias came and three
papers. I supposed all the mail had been assorted - I was to get them I
assure you for this is dreary stormy weather at this present writing we roll
more than you would believe should I tell you we have to brace when we write
once I could not have written a word, we have racks to secure our dishes while
we eat To day over went our bottle of ketchup I believe there is no place so
bad as off Charleston. I am sure it is not nearly so bad any where below
Since I wrote last the “PONTIAC” has lost six men killed and six wounded. She
was anchored close in under Battery Marshall guarding Maffatts Channel when
she slipped her cable to chase a steamer She could not stop her and had to
retreat The next day she went for her cable when they opened A few shots
fell short but one 200 pd’r hit her in the hawser pipe passed into her and
exploded of course She receeded in double-quick
The
steamer was side wheeled Large and very swift After she left the ‘PONTIAC’
she came upon the advance pickets close upon where they fired two 12pd shorts
but she did not stop for them any more than for flies.
The day before Mr. Dickman - Flag Lieut - went up to the advance “moniter” in
a boat A shell was thrown at him and burst nearly over him he narrowly
escaped
They seem to [be] more bold than they have been but it is nearly impossible to
block-ade effectivally here They come in the dark and try to get under a
battery then they are safe.
There is but little going on, we returned to P. Royal when the mail arrives
here - due now-
My
sick list again grows small all are getting better - one or two have been very
sick - The Admiral’s steward has been sick for a week much to the discomfort
of them both. I have asked to be put on another vessel I prefer living in a
county seat to living in Court - it is less expensive and better for me - My
place was wanted and the Flt. Surgeon and Admiral were applied to But they
would not detach me. Now I have applied myself I am not sure of going but
hope to
I
was much pleased with your kitchen picture it was well drawn I could even
recognize all the faces but Fred’s. He is a stranger to me I want to see him
as much as anybody.
I
expect by next fall Father will not complain of not having help during the
harvest!
You
have help enough now
I am
obliged to you for the [undecipherable] of news in the absence of the
“Chanticleer” or rather in consequence of its demise I have to depend on you
and V.[ wife Virginia]
Annie and Marcus are not good jounalists. Louise is a quarterly writer ! So
she commits mistakes, etc. You all do well particularly Annie She was a
little nervous the last time.
You
are all excitement today about the election I do hope it may be result
favorably I believe it well We shall not know much about it for two weeks
Virginia seems to be quite contented and I can do without her for a year
more. I shall have been in the service a year the 26th inst. I shall ask for
a leave in a year from that date ! The time seems long in the distance short
when we look back I shall write
a
letter to Annie and [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] for a reason obvious
to you.
I
look for Fathers letter ! Remember me to him and the others
Very Truly Yours
A.S. Dean
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HARVEST
MOON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
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