O Sarah, I wait for you there! The following is a letter written by Maj. Sullivan Ballou to his wife Sarah (née Shumway) at home in Rhode Island. 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 on with all those chains, to the battlefield.
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. Civil War Union Army Officer.

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 the darkest night amidst your happiest scenes and gloomiest hours always, always, and, if the soft breeze fans your cheek, it shall be my breath; or the cool air cools your throbbing temples, it shall be my spirit passing by. The 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 long. He served as Major of the 2nd Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry. I know how strongly American civilization now leans upon the triumph of 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. --Sullivan, Contributor: greatgranny Created: 2 years ago Updated: 2 years ago, Contributor: SandieBee Created: 2 years ago Updated: 2 years ago, Grave record for Sullivan Ballou (28 Mar 1829 - 29 Jul 1861), BillionGraves Record. Sullivan Ballou is buried in the Swan Point Cemetery at the location displayed on the map below.

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. BallouPortraitCamp Clark, Washington 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 on with all those chains, to the battlefield. Contributor: AYoung Created: 2 years ago Updated: 2 years ago, Sullivan Ballou Letter But I cannot.

I know how strongly American civilization now leans upon the triumph of 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 care 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 this hazarding the happiness of those I loved, and I could not find one.

If it is necessary that I should fall on the battle-field for any country, I am ready. We want you to know exactly how our service works and why we need your registration in order to allow full access to our records.
The personal effects of the two officers were collected and readied, along with their remains, for the trip back to Rhode Island. Not my will, but thine, O God be done. Sarah, my love for you is deathless. O Sarah, I wait for you there! 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. The name of this Society shall be “Skyscrapers, Inc. (Amateur Astronomical Society of Rhode Island).” The object of this Society shall be to educate the general public and membership on matters pertaining to astronomy. Sullivan Ballou (March 28, 1829 – July 29, 1861) was a lawyer and politician from Rhode Island, and an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War.He is remembered for an eloquent letter he wrote to his wife Sarah, one week before he was killed in the First Battle of Bull Run. 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. Tell my two mothers, I call God's blessing upon them. Yes please, I’d like to hear about offers and services, Only notify me of service opportunities in my area and educational emails, No thanks, I don’t want to hear about offers and services. A pure love of my country and of the principles 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. And how 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 boys grow up to honorable manhood around us.I know I have but few 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. You can always add an email and password later. 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. 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. 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. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. On July 14, 1861, Ballou wrote an eloquent letter to his wife predicting his death.

Not my will, but thine, O God be done. 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. We’d like to send you special offers and deals exclusive to BillionGraves users to help your family history research. 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 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. Bishop Clark presided at the funerals in Grace Church, and, with full military honors, the men were buried the same day, three days after what would have been Sullivan Ballou's 33rd birthday.

Sullivan Ballou grave August 2005 | By Dan Lorraine A letter from Sullivan Ballou to his wife Sarah "July 14, 1861 Camp Clark, Washington My very dear Sarah: The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days—perhaps tomorrow. Tell my two mothers, I call God's blessing upon them. Sullivan Ballou was killed a week later at the First Battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861. 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.

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. Come to me, and lead thither my children. 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. Indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days, perhaps to-morrow.

I know I have but few 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. 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? 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 shall be no more. Terms of Use / The 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 long. 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. Thanks for your help! His body was later exhumed and burned by Confederate soldiers, and the remains were personally retrieved the following year by Governor William Sprague. You can change the language of the BillionGraves website by changing the default language of your browser.

He was wounded at the First Battle of Bull Run on July 21, and died from his injuries a week later. Our technology can help you find the gravesite and other family members buried nearby. Privacy Policy. Come to me, and lead thither my children. © 2018 Found a Grave, All rights reserved.

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