ASHAEL SUMNER DEAN
CIVIL WAR LETTERS TO
HIS FAMILY
U.S.S. Harvest Moon Stono Inlet
Feb17 (1865)
Dear Virginia, If I commence a letter journal you will not complain if it is
meagre and dry and then may be I will not keep it up more then a day or so.
Last night we came down from Bulls Bay and this morning came in over the bar
and came along side the PHILADELPHIA. I went over and visited the Doct. and
others. Took part in the interchange. The two ship’s companies are like two
families. We have been up to Bulls Bay with a great show. Thinking there-by
to cause some tripedation in Charleston for we know Sherman has every road but
one and we judge that if he manuvers possibly they may evacuate. I suppose
all our show would amount to no more than two thousand men. We are led to
believe it has had its desired effect from the tenor of the telegraphs. They
are ignorant of the fact that we have a man who can read their signals. We
know we have already frightened them and from a reconnaissance up the river in
conjucture with General Schimmelfennig we are led to believe that they are now
leaving James Island. The Admiral very much desires to go to sea so as to go
around to Ft. Sumpter, but the blow from the Sou East prevents. Nothing has
occured worthy of note. I have not read or studied any to day as my spare
time has been taken in learning the news and in confabs with our friends in
the Army and on the PHILA. The horizon is lurid and bright over Charleston.
I spent the evening in conversation not that which will benefit me other than
in producing a happy genial feeling in my mess mates - The frequent oaths are
a great source of annoyance. When will men think and not speak so
opprobriously of sacred things and so continually blasphemous their Lord and
best friend - Increase your own faith and our charity and help us to keep our
hearts pure that we may please thee. Good night dear one I am cheerful and
happy, God bless you. Ever your Sumner
18th
All the wild and exciting rumors of yesterday were repeated this morning e.g.
that the evacuation had really been going on since yesterday. At 9.o’clock we
had a telegram confirming them all. We are 9 miles below Charleston, still in
the Inlet - Let me tell you how we telegraph. A look out is built on a
head-land [_________?????-ed.] 8 or 10 miles and a man “wig wags” the
dispatch. His motions are understood readily by those in the other stations
for each has the key. In this way we can send messages from Charleston to
Hilton Head. The enemy do the same. We were fortunate in securing one of
their Signal Officers and thus learn their movements. This way of sending
news has been of great use to the Army and Navy.
We stood out to sea. It was amusing, as we neared the place, to see tugs
run out with what they supposed was news when we knew the facts long before
they did. It was soul stirring to near Sumpter & Moultrie and see the
Ironclads lying cosily under their walls and to see the old flag float over
all the forts in the harbor. Only one tug had gone into the inner harbor for
fear of torpedoes. But we have no such fears for a vessel tried to get out a
week ago but we ran her ashore and took the Pilot and seven men from her. We
made the Pilot take us through the torpedoes which he did very well. He was a
Frenchman. When we neared the City, we discovered one prize steamer and many
small tugs and sloops. The upper end of the City was on fire and many
explosions were taking place. One of them of frightful nature. It seems the
purveyor of stores had told the people or given them to understand they could
obtain the balance of what they could not take away. But it seems the place
was mined so that some one dropped fire and as a result 300 poor people were
blown up and half of them killed.
Such a sad result seemed to create but little sympathy among the people and
not much is said about it.
As soon as the anchor dropped the barge was called away and the Admiral and
Staff went on shore followed by every one who could find a boat to take him.
As we landed, Gen. Gilmore’s steamer came in sight down below. We made a
hasty run over the town and in a couple of hours came on board, tired and
excited by the unusual scenes - The things that impressed me most were these;
to wit, the desolate City, enough of her beauty left to indicate the prestige
she once had. Such shubbery and trees; you never saw such. You never will
until you go where the orange, oleander, and magnolia grow. The days are cold
where you are, but here tis warm and grass enough grows in the streets for
the goats to feed on. Every thing looks MAY like - You have no idea of the
terrible work our shells have made. Not one building in twenty has escaped.
Indeed not one but has been ravished by thieves and soldiers. The people are
gone, their furniture and servants are gone. I mean the wealthy. Those who
were too poor to go had to remain - one house I entered through the broken
down door and found only remnants; e.g., books, a silver candle set, and a
mirror so large it could not be removed. Close beside it was one occupied by a
single servant who was so confounded that she did not know when to go and so
remained behind. From her I gathered that her wealthy master built this house
in /60, in a splendid style on the Sea Wall, went North, bought splendid
furniture and was about to move into it when the War opened. He went into the
service. His house is now a wreck. There is not a window pane or sash in
it. The wind howls through it as dismal like as in a pine forest.
The next thing was the colored people. They shouted and danced and sang and
prayed and when the first troops marched down the street to the Citadel - The
Mass 54 colored - their joy could not be constrained. They followed them in a
mob whose only desire seemed to be to exult and dance and sing. The people
are nearly all colored and foreign. I saw not more than a half dozen of the
representative men of the place. You can imagine how [T_________????] and
excited and ____________???? to think on anything but walk about listless. I
expect joy is the predominant feeling but other elements mingle which leaves
me often ill somewhat unhappy.
I will tell you more about it tomorrow or some other time.
I am very much vexed to learn that the town is filled with lewd women and
whiskey, the result you can foresee - I trust it will not last long.
I brought from a deserted house , two volumes - _____- of Prescott’s History
of Peru. I will send them home some time.
I shall be obliged to say a good by to my child wife and pets for my hand is
tired.
Ever yours with affection
Sumner
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