Last Letter of Sullivan Ballou
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EnglishVoice Age
Middle Aged (35-54)Accents
North American (General)Transcript
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Scott McDonald Classic long format narration. The Last Letter of Sullivan Ballou headquarters. Camp Clark, Washington, D. C. July 14 18 61 My very dear wife indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days, Perhaps tomorrow list. I should not be able to write you again. I feel impelled to write a few 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 fine. Oh, 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'm engaged. And my courage is not halter falter. I know strongly American civilization now leans upon the triumph of the government and a 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 toe. 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 yours and replace them in this life with care and sorrows when, after having eaten for long years the bitter fruit of orphanage myself, I must offer it is 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? But 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 2000 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 this fatal heart. In communing with God, my country, I have sought most closely and diligent and often in my breast for a wrong motive in this hazarding the happiness of those I and I could not find one 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 a baby My love for you is it seems to find me with mighty cables that nothing but omnipotence can break And yet my love of country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me irresistibly on with all those chains to battle memories of all the blissful moments I have spent with you come crowding over me And I feel most deeply grateful to God and you that I have enjoyed them. So how hard it is for me to get the most burned ashes hopes of future years when God willing way might still have loved and live together and seeing our boys grow upto honorable manhood around us. I know I have, but few claims upon divine providence. But something whispers to me that I shall return to my loved ones on. Look, if I do not, my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you. Now that when my last breath escapes me on the battlefield, it will whisper your name. Forgive my many faults and my 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 This 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 patients till we meet two part no more. But, 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 In the darkest night Missed your happy assumes gloomiest hours always always on if the soft breeze van church shall be my breath With the cool air cools your throbbing temples shall be my spirit Passing my Sarah Do not mourn me. Think I am gone way for We shall meet again. Wait for you there. Come to me on lead feather my Children celebrate