Monday, May 25, 2009

Love and War

There are few love letters that match the haunting quality of the one Sullivan Ballou wrote to his wife Sarah, and Ken Burns later made more famous in his series, The Civil War.

July the 14th, 1861
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 you again, I feel impelled to write lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more.

Our movement may be one of a few days duration and full of pleasure—and it may be one of severe conflict and death to me. Not my will, but thine O God, be done. If it is necessary that I should fall on the battlefield for my country, I am ready. 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 upon the triumph of the Government, and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and suffering 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.

But, my dear wife, when I know that with my own joys I lay down nearly all of yours, and replace them in this life with cares and sorrows—when, after having eaten for long years the bitter fruit of orphanage myself, I must offer it as their only sustenance to my dear little children—is it weak or dishonorable, while the banner of my purpose floats calmly and proudly in the breeze, that my unbounded love for you, my darling wife and children, should struggle in fierce, though useless, contest with my love of country?

I cannot describe to you my feelings on this calm summer night, when two thousand men are sleeping around me, many of them enjoying the last, perhaps, before that of death—and I, suspicious that Death is creeping behind me with his fatal dart, am communing with God, my country, and thee.

I have sought most closely and diligently, and often in my breast, for a wrong motive in thus hazarding the happiness of those I loved and I could not find one. A pure love of my country and of the principles have often advocated before the people and "the name of honor that I love more than I fear death" have called upon me, and I have obeyed.

Sarah, my love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me to you 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 irresistibly on with all these chains to the battlefield.

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 grow 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 little 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 battlefield, it will whisper your name.

Forgive my many faults, and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless and foolish I have often been! How gladly would I wash out with my tears every little spot upon your happiness, and struggle with all the misfortune of this world, to shield you and my children from harm. But I cannot. I must watch you from the spirit land and hover near you, while you buffet the storms with your precious little freight, and wait with sad patience till we meet to part no more.

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 garish day and in the darkest night—amidst your happiest scenes and gloomiest hours—always, always; and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath; or 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.

As for my little boys, they will grow as I have done, and never know a father's love and care. Little Willie is too young to remember me long, and my blue-eyed Edgar will keep my frolics with him among the dimmest memories of his childhood. Sarah, I have unlimited confidence in your maternal care and your development of their characters. Tell my two mothers his and hers I call God's blessing upon them. O Sarah, I wait for you there! Come to me, and lead thither my children.

Sullivan

On this Memorial Day, I give thanks to the men and women who have given their lives so that I may live in a nation where I enjoy freedom.

12 comments:

Kat Mortensen said...

I remember this so well from the series and also from the cd which I own. The Ashokan Farewell is such a poignant and tender piece to accompany such a tragedy, such loss.

Lovely, apt post Rudee.

Kat

Joanna said...

Thank you for posting this letter Rudee. I've never heard it before, probably because I'm Canadian. Its expression of love and commitment to his wife and a cause moved me deeply.

Rudee said...

Kat-Ken Burns could not have chosen better music for his film. I love the Ashokan Farewell too.

Joanna-with an ability to transcend borders, it's a rather beautiful love letter to both country and family, isn't it? Did you watch the whole video clip? It always makes me teary. The entire film is amazing.

Pyzahn said...

Sigh. How lovely it was to read those words. I just love eloquence. So many paragraphs and sentences with not one insertion that started with the word "like"...like you know.

Now I'm all a flutter thinking how nice it would be to have someone write so divinely to me. Not with impending death, of course!

Renie Burghardt said...

So beautiful, Rudee. Sarah was one lucky woman to have known such a great and true love, and I'm sure she felt his presence near her in every breeze, after he was gone. Thank you for posting it.

I watched the President lay the wreath this morning, at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and it brought tears to my eyes, and I silently thanked all of them for their sacrifice, so that I can enjoy all the freedoms this wonderful country allows me.

Stephanie V said...

Very beautiful...and so very sad. It's sad to think that this family's sacrifice hasn't stopped the need for war.

Betty F said...

I didn't see the series. Thank you for posting this. How sad.

Gail said...

Amen!

Kathleen said...

So tragic. When will war ever end? Such a powerful reminder of the toll it takes.

Kathleen said...

So tragic. When will war ever end? Such a powerful reminder of the toll it takes.

debra said...

After seeing this, #2 daughter asked her fiddle teacher to show her how to play Ashokan Farewell. I love the music and the words---they are beyond description. My 17 yr old still talks about them.

Kat Mortensen said...

Rudee - I have a little award for you at my blog, "Invisible Keepsakes". Please come by and pick it up when you can.

Kat