Happy Valentine's Day! I firmly believe that Valentine's Day should be a day to celebrate all the people we love--parents, siblings, children, friends--not just sweethearts and spouses. I hope each and every one of you feel loved and cherished today! Now, having said that, I'd like to share with you a Civil War Valentine card that does celebrate romantic love, and then the real treat--the absolute best love letter ever. Courtesy of the Kansas Historical Society:
MY LOVE ‘Mid bugle’s blast and cannon’s roar, And ‘mid the battles angry flame; ‘Mid clashing sabres red with gore, I fondly breathe thy much-loved name. I feel thee near at dead of night, When I my vigil lone am keeping– Thy image guards me, angel bright, In dreams when wearied I am sleeping, Each northward wind wafts on its breath, To thee a yearning kiss of mine– On glory’s field or bed of death, I live or die thy Valentine.
The letter I want to share with you is not a Valentine, but the most touching love letter I've ever read in my Civil War research, from Sullivan Ballou to his wife, written from Camp Clark, Washington, D.C., July 14, 1861.
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 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 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 or 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 . . . 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 . . . 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 honorable 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 will 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
Sullivan died a week later, at the First Battle of Bull Run. (If you read Wedded to War, you may remember the scene where the Union army poured back into Washington, defeated and demoralized, starting on p. 140.) Wow. If that doesn't make you want to go hug your loved ones, I don't know what will!
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