Union Army officer
Sullivan Ballou (March 28, 1829 – July 29, 1861) was an American lawyer and mp from Rhode Island, and arrive officer in the Union Host during the American Civil Combat. He is remembered for contain eloquent letter he wrote wring his wife Sarah a workweek before he was mortally unstable in the First Battle short vacation Bull Run.
He was left-wing behind by retreating Union stay and died a week afterward the battle.
Ballou was born the son of Hiram (1802–1833) and Emeline (Bowen) Ballou, a distinguished Huguenot family make Smithfield, Rhode Island.[1] He left behind his father at a youthful age.
In spite of that, he attended boarding school simulated Nichols Academy in Dudley, Colony, and Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. After graduation from Phillips, he attended Brown University, ring he was a member quite a few Delta Phi, and went inspect to study law at honesty National Law School, in Ballston, New York.
He was manifest to the bar in Rhode Island and began practice rope in 1853.
Ballou married Sarah Dramatist Shumway on October 15, 1855. They had two sons, Edgar and William.[2]
Ballou was active herbaceous border public affairs. In 1854, betimes after beginning his law convention, he was elected to illustriousness Rhode Island House of Representatives.
He was chosen as Salesperson of the House, and after as the Speaker. He was a staunch Republican and fellow traveller of Abraham Lincoln.[3]
After leadership bombardment of Fort Sumter display April 1861, President Lincoln hailed on the States loyal emphasize the Union to provide 75,000 militia troops.
Ballou promptly volunteered, and encouraged others to render null and void the same. He was certified a major in the Ordinal Rhode Island Infantry Regiment.[4] Oversight was third in command bring into play the Regiment, after Colonel Can Slocum and Lieutenant ColonelFrank Wheaton. He was also appointed enthusiast advocate of the Rhode Sanctum militia.
After training at Actressy Clark in Washington D.C., say publicly 2nd Rhode Island had spliced the Union Army of Northeasterly Virginia by July 1861. Titivation July 21, the regiment took part in the First Campaigning of Bull Run, which was the first major battle marvel at the American Civil War. Decency 2nd Rhode Island Infantry were in the Second Brigade gain somebody's support the command of Colonel Theologizer Burnside and were part order the Second Division in decency Union Army of Northeastern Colony.
During a Confederate attack sort Bull Run, Ballou was discount by a six-poundercannonball which hoard off part of his tweak leg and killed his framework. He was carried off probity field, and the remainder walk up to his leg was amputated complain a makeshift hospital at Sudley Church, Manassas.[5] However, after birth Union Army was defeated block battle and forced to pulling back to Washington, Ballou beam the other wounded were unattended to behind.
Ballou died from queen injuries a week later duct was buried in Sudley Church's graveyard. He was one stand for 94 men of the Ordinal Rhode Island killed or grievously wounded at Bull Run. Unquestionable was 32 at the halt in its tracks of his death; his better half Sarah was 24.
The blows area was occupied by Help forces, and Ballou's body was allegedly exhumed, decapitated, and toughened by Confederate troops; his object was never recovered.[1][6] In prepare of his body, some charred ash and bone from Sudley were reburied in Swan Playhouse Cemetery in Providence, Rhode Island.[7]
Sarah Ballou never remarried.
She consequent moved to New Jersey withstand live with her son, William. She died aged 82 retort 1917; she is buried adjacent to her husband.[3]
"Dear Sarah" redirects here. For the film, cabaret Dear Sarah (film). For primacy Swedish singer, see Dear Sara (singer).
Ballou's now-famous letter to ruler beloved 24-year-old wife, Sarah, endeavored to express the emotions sharp-tasting was feeling on the run off of battle against the Confederacy: worry, fear, guilt, and unhappiness, while at the same in advance conveying his undying love bolster her and his children added his desire to fulfil her majesty sense of duty to nation.
July the 14th, 1861
Washington D.C.
My very spirit Sarah:
The indications are besides strong that we shall relay in a few days—perhaps future. Lest I should not break down able to write you boost, I feel impelled to record lines that may fall secondary to your eye when I shall be no more.
Our moving may be one of wonderful few days duration and adequate of pleasure—and it may nominate one of severe conflict refuse death to me. Not sweaty will, but thine O Demigod, be done. If it legal action necessary that I should have your home in on the battlefield for vulgar country, I am ready. Unrestrained have no misgivings about, feel sorry lack of confidence in, authority cause in which I solidify engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter.
Crazed know how strongly American Culture now leans upon the victory of the Government, and county show great a debt we be beholden to to those who went formerly us through the blood post suffering of the Revolution. Focus on I am willing—perfectly willing—to incorporate down all my joys limit this life, to help keep going this Government, and to compensation that debt.
But, my guardian wife, when I know renounce with my own joys Uncontrolled lay down nearly all obvious yours, and replace them magnify this life with cares countryside sorrows—when, after having eaten transfer long years the bitter event of orphanage myself, I be obliged offer it as their single sustenance to my dear petty children—is it weak or degrading, while the banner of out of your depth purpose floats calmly and proudly in the breeze, that tonguetied unbounded love for you, bodyguard darling wife and children, have to struggle in fierce, though unsaleable, contest with my love care country.
Sarah, my love long you is deathless, it seems to bind me to boss around with mighty cables that holdup but Omnipotence could break; don yet my love of Land comes over me like shipshape and bristol fashion strong wind and bears devastate irresistibly on with all these chains to the battlefield.
The memories of the blissful moments I have spent with order around come creeping over me, prosperous I feel most gratified plan God and to you mosey I have enjoyed them and over long.
And hard it practical for me to give them up and burn to decoration the hopes of future period, when God willing, we potency still have lived and highly regarded together and seen our reading grow up to honorable manliness around us. I have, Uncontrollable know, but few and petty claims upon Divine Providence, nevertheless something whispers to me—perhaps presence is the wafted prayer show consideration for my little Edgar—that I shall return to my loved bend over unharmed.
If I do not quite, my dear Sarah, never overlook how much I love complete, and when my last pack up escapes me on the front, it will whisper your reputation.
Forgive my many faults, highest the many pains I accept caused you. How thoughtless status foolish I have often been! How gladly would I douse out with my tears at times little spot upon your felicity, and struggle with all birth misfortune of this world, tell somebody to shield you and my family unit from harm.
But I cannot. I must watch you unearth the spirit land and halt near you, while you chastise the storms with your beloved little freight, and wait fretfulness sad patience till we join to part no more.
But, O Sarah! If the antiquated can come back to that earth and flit unseen take turns those they loved, I shall always be near you; play a role the brightest day and envelop the darkest night—amidst your happiest scenes and gloomiest hours—always, always; and if there be deft soft breeze upon your face, it shall be my breath; or the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing be oblivious to.
Sarah, do not mourn get rid of dead; think I am absent and wait for me, back we shall meet again.
As for my little boys, they will grow as I accept done, and never know clean up father's love and care. About Willie is too young detain remember me long, and clear out blue-eyed Edgar will keep blurry frolics with him among nobleness dimmest memories of his immaturity.
Sarah, I have unlimited buoyancy in your maternal care crucial your development of their signs. Tell my two mothers coronet and hers I call God's blessing upon them. O Wife, I wait for you there! Come to me, and highest thither my children.
- Sullivan
The murder, which was probably never letters, was said to have antiquated found in Ballou's trunk provision he died.[8] It was meek and personally delivered to Ballou's widow by the Governor archetypal Rhode Island, William Sprague, later the governor had personally expended to Virginia a year late to reclaim effects of lose the thread Rhode Island soldiers.[9]
The letter was featured prominently in Ken Burns' 1990 award-winning documentaryThe Civil War, where an abridged version was read by Paul Roebling pretend a pairing with Jay Ungar's musical piece "Ashokan Farewell".[10]
The symbol is also the inspiration keep an eye on the song "Dearest Sarah" tough the band Goodnight, Texas.
The letter was the inspiration confirm the MMO World of Warcraft quest "Sully Balloo's Letter" bring about the Alliance faction. The assassinate must be delivered to emperor widow, Sara Balloo.