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  1. #1
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    Default Major Sullivan Ballou's last letter home!

    Major Sullivan Ballou's last letter home!


    JULY 14, 1861

    The following is a letter written by Major Sullivan Ballou to his wife Sarah at home in Rhode Island. Ballou died a week later, at the first Battle of Bull Run. He was 32.


    ******************
    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 of 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 dishonourable, 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 honour 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 honourable 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
    If you can read this and not be truly humbled then I feel sorry for ya.
    This nation has birthed millions of such men in its history and tats exactly why God has blessed it far above any other nation. Fact!!!
    And we let men like this down when we collectively dared to put in the most worthless piece of human scum to lead this nation!
    I am ashamed for the graven idiots that did that not once but TWICE!!

    I almost put this in the creative writing forum, as its almost poetry..
    I am sure that gunny can attest to the fact that our military has such men and likely only rivaled in that by the Israeli's.. -Tyr
    Last edited by Tyr-Ziu Saxnot; 03-08-2016 at 08:19 PM.
    18 U.S. Code § 2381-Treason Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.

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  3. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tyr-Ziu Saxnot View Post
    If you can read this and not be truly humbled then I feel sorry for ya.
    This nation has birthed millions of such men in its history and tats exactly why God has blessed it far above any other nation. Fact!!!
    And we let men like this down when we collectively dared to put in the most worthless piece of human scum to lead this nation!
    I am ashamed for the graven idiots that did that not once but TWICE!!

    I almost put this in the creative writing forum, as its almost poetry..
    I am sure that gunny can attest to the fact that our military has such men and likely only rivaled in that by the Israeli's.. -Tyr

    ....Wow! very nice Brother Tyr.....


    I found this if you dont mind....watch the video..sit back and listen....goose-bumps!




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  5. #3
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    That there is a great man that had love for his country as he did for his family, and willing to put his life on the line to preserve for what others before him had left.

    “You know the world is going crazy when the best rapper is a white guy, the best golfer is a black guy, the tallest guy in the NBA is Chinese, the Swiss hold the America's Cup, France is accusing the U.S. of arrogance, Germany doesn't want to go to war, and the three most powerful men in America are named "Bush", "Dick", and "Colin." Need I say more?” - Chris Rock

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  7. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by jimnyc View Post
    That there is a great man that had love for his country as he did for his family, and willing to put his life on the line to preserve for what others before him had left.

    Exactly, so much of that is so sadly missing these days- thanks to liberal culture and education system which teaches just the opposite my friend!!
    Thats why they should be destroyed IMHO.
    SO LIKE CANCER CELLS THEY ARE.. ---TYR
    18 U.S. Code § 2381-Treason Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.

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  9. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tyr-Ziu Saxnot View Post
    Exactly, so much of that is so sadly missing these days- thanks to liberal culture and education system which teaches just the opposite my friend!!
    Thats why they should be destroyed IMHO.
    SO LIKE CANCER CELLS THEY ARE.. ---TYR


    Well said Tyr..."Liberal culture" is dug in deep.....It will take Balls...attitude...`WILL` and no fear of "PC"... to defeat it...



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