A love letter? Yes! Probably one of the most eloquent love letters I have ever read. Yet, it was deeply spiritual too. This man was prepared for death because he loved his country. But even more than his country, he loved his wife. It would seem he had a premonition of his imminent death on the battlefield. And for that reason, he wanted to assure his wife that their love would endure beyond the grave. Indeed, his letter to his wife, Sarah, serves as a wonderful Lenten reflection. Preface:
Just before the Civil War broke out, a man by the name of Sullivan Ballou wrote a very moving letter to his wife, Sarah. He left what appeared to be a promising political career and volunteered for military service with the 2nd Rhode Island Infantry. In addition to his combat duties, he served as the Rhode Island militia's judge advocate. The war began one week later [after the letter was written] on the plains of Manassas, Virginia. Major Sullivan Ballou of the 2nd Rhode Island Infantry died there at the battle of Bull Run.
Sullivan Ballou
to: My very dear Sarah
[Excerpts]
14 July 1861
Camp Clark, Washington [D.C.]
My very dear Sarah:
The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days -- perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write again, I feel impelled to write a few lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more....
I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how strongly American civilization now leans on the triumph of the Government, and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and sufferings of the Revolution. And I am willing -- perfectly willing -- to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this Government, and to pay that debt....
Sarah my love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence could break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me unresistibly on with all these chains to the battle field.
The memories of the blissful moments I have spent with you come creeping over me, and I feel most gratified to God and to you that I have enjoyed them so long. And hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes of future years, when, God willing, we might still have lived and loved together, and seen our sons grown up to honorable manhood, around us. I have, I know, but few and small claims upon Divine Providence, but something whispers to me -- perhaps it is the wafted prayer of my litle Edgar, that I shall return to my loved ones unharmed. If I do not my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you, and when my last breath escapes me on the battle field, it will whisper your name.
Forgive my many faults, and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless and foolish I have often times been! How gladly would I wash out with my tears every little spot upon your happiness....
But, O Sarah! if the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you; in the gladdest days and in the darkest nights . . . always, always, and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath[;] as the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by. Sarah do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for thee, for we shall meet again....
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Sources: Sewanee.edu website: Excerpted and reprinted in Geoffrey C. Ward, et al., The Civil War: An Illustrated History (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1990), pages 82-83. And Wikipedia website.
