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ASHAEL SUMNER DEAN
CIVIL WAR LETTERS TO
HIS FAMILY
Port Royal, SC
Flag Steamer and “Harvest Moon”
Feb’y
13, 1865
Dear Virginia: You got so many letters by last mail you will not care for any
so soon, But as the “Queen” sails to night, I feel like saying a word for you
know I am as glad to write as you are to read them. You used to talk every
day to me and many times too, as you remember how many times you used to leave
your work and sit with me on the sofa just to talk with me and may be in part
for a kiss or so, which you were sure would be forthcoming! Those happy days
you used to say I shall soon lose you, I cant do this long you will be away
from me where I can't see you, what made you think so? I am afraid I shall
lose your voice and laugh so I shall _______? to hear it, to recognize it
while I am dreaming, I do dream of you.
I like to sit in the day time and forget where I am and go where you are and
join in your joys I almost am able only I want to speak I cant if I try
forget that I have a body which keeps me away from you. You dont know do you,
that I come to you and look over your sholder and up into your face You are
not quite satisfied you you have a claim on the corpus which you dont choose
to waive you want to see me as you used to
Do you want to know what we are doing? I cant tell you the working of the
Squadron brings changes to us but we dont mind them No since I wrote to you
we have been in _________? Edisto, Stono, Charleston, and to Bulls Bay and
back here again and all in three days and this is what we are doing all the
while Seldom does any more than simply say “ I wonder if anyone knows where
we are bound” generally there’s no response. Generally a tug follows us to
assist us in case we get ashore or want to send a dispatch, at Bulls Bay we
went with 14 Man of War Just as we got there Sherman sends a dispatch which
calls us here, why I don’t know, no one does I concluded. Generally some one
is left behind when we move inland Admiral never waits for any one Lieut.
Com’dr Mathews and boat crews are left at Bulls Bay They have to under go the
discomfort of being away and of getting back Now we think of going to
Savannah we may not Mr Cooper
says the “Queen” goes immediately and I must close Did I make another order
about the sheets They need only to be 48 or 50 inches wide and 2 1/4 yards
long -
I shall look for the box in the next MASS
and I shall send you one if I have the chance - I will send you some more
sheeting you seemed to think that other was for you I dont want you to feel
dissapointed - shall I get a long long letter in the box? You will not forget
some books for me to read Ask your self what does Sumner want to read
Sundays I am not anxious for other’s You have the Atlantic for Feb’y: I am
anxious to get it. Do you read much? You cant now you are to lose your girl?
Dear Dear Virginia, I am tired wanting to see you I cant drive away
impatience anymore I am very lonely tonight I am lonely and sick, heartsick
No one to look over me and love me You are missed and ______? sadly too
sadly you must not get sad you must be brave when I am not Both cant be sad
at once You will remember your Sumner when you pray and more than any other
prayer. Pray this had him from _______? Kiss the babies and direct their
songs toward Jesus They must see trouble and sin mustn't they? Will he keep
them? I love you all I must tell you this so many times because I seem near
you when I say so I used to say so when I could [ letter appears to close
here with no ending - ed.]
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HARVEST
MOON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
March 2006
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