Fillable Printable Famous Love Letters

Famous Love Letters

INTRODUCTION TO SULLIVAN BALLOU'S LETTER

LETTER TO HIS WIFE (1861)

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 I 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 oftentimes 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

Source: Brown University Alumni Quarterly (Nov. 1990): 38-42.