Sullivan Ballou

While on the topic of a person's capacity to love as an indication of a brilliant spirit and character, I came across this letter written by Sullivan Ballou, a Major in the 2nd Rhode Island Infantry of the Union Army.

(This is the PBS recording of it from the series The CIVIL WAR by Ken Burns.)



July 14,1861
Camp Clark, Washington DC

Dear Sarah:

The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days - perhaps tomorrow. And lest 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 am 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 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.

Sarah, my love for you is deathless, it seems to bind 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 with all those chains to the battlefield. The memory of all the blissful moments I have enjoyed with you come crowding over me, and I feel most deeply grateful to God and you, that I have enjoyed them for so long. And how hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes and future years, when, God willing, we might still have lived and loved together, and see our boys grown up to honorable manhood around us.

If I do not return, my dear Sarah, never forget how much I loved you, nor that 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, how foolish I have sometimes been!

But, 0 Sarah, if the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they love, I shall always be with you, in the brightest day and in the darkest night... always, always. And when the soft breeze fans your cheek, it shall be my breath, or the cool air your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by.

Sarah do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for me, for we shall meet again...

What a stark contrast his character is against the backdrop of the Obamacare debate painted across the television all this week! It's enough to make me want to curl up in a ball at the gravesides of my veteran grandfathers and weep. Weep for what has been lost and so much of it lost because of the little regard history is given. I can't imagine seeing Obamacare pass and the gradual socialization of these United States if we all had a grasp on history, things as they really are. Thinking about it, I get all passionate about my major and remember all over how I felt when I chose it.

I had the opportunity to attend the Christmas Devotional with The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and special guests Natalie Cole and David McCullough. After it was over and the cameras were turned off, President Monson presented these special guests with their genealogy and expressed to them, "We're proud of you!" They both were given the opportunity to say a little something and (as is usually the case when someone experiences the love, generosity, graciousness and spirit of the Mormon people for the first time) were quite emotional in relating their experience being here in Utah to do the devotional. David McCullough talked about... well, pretty much the clip I posted below. His experience being here invigorated him with overwhelming hope for his country- something he rarely feels- because he sees a people with ambition to be excellent. He more articulately says it here: