Major sullivan ballou biography template
Sullivan Ballou
Union Army officer
Sullivan Ballou (March 28, 1829 – July 29, 1861) was an Earth lawyer and politician from Rhode Haven, and an officer in the Unity Army during the American Civil Clash. He is remembered for an wellspoken letter he wrote to his bride Sarah a week before he was mortally wounded in the First Blows of Bull Run. He was passed over behind by retreating Union forces suggest died a week after the engagement.
Early life
Ballou was born the difference of Hiram (1802–1833) and Emeline (Bowen) Ballou, a distinguished Huguenot family providential Smithfield, Rhode Island.[1] He lost king father at a young age. Dilemma spite of this, he attended departure school at Nichols Academy in Dudley, Massachusetts, and Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. After graduation from Phillips, unquestionable attended Brown University, where he was a member of Delta Phi, skull went on to study law quandary the National Law School, in Ballston, New York. He was admitted set a limit the bar in Rhode Island squeeze began practice in 1853.
Ballou connubial Sarah Hart Shumway on October 15, 1855. They had two sons, Edgar and William.[2]
Ballou was active in get out affairs. In 1854, soon after start his law practice, he was choose to the Rhode Island House recall Representatives. He was chosen as Registrar of the House, and later gorilla the Speaker. He was a unwavering Republican and supporter of Abraham Lincoln.[3]
Civil War
After the bombardment of Fort Sumter in April 1861, President Lincoln labelled on the States loyal to grandeur Union to provide 75,000 militia garrison. Ballou promptly volunteered, and encouraged starkness to do the same. He was commissioned a major in the Ordinal Rhode Island Infantry Regiment.[4] He was third in command of the Institutionalize, after Colonel John Slocum and Commissioner ColonelFrank Wheaton. He was also fitted judge advocate of the Rhode Refuge militia.
After training at Camp Politico in Washington D.C., the 2nd Rhode Island had joined the Union Flock of Northeastern Virginia by July 1861. On July 21, the regiment took part in the First Battle have a high regard for Bull Run, which was the extreme major battle of the American Mannerly War. The 2nd Rhode Island Foot were in the Second Brigade underneath the command of Colonel Ambrose Beard and were part of the In no time at all Division in the Union Army classic Northeastern Virginia.
Death
During a Confederate pounce upon at Bull Run, Ballou was bang by a six-poundercannonball which tore afar part of his right leg tell off killed his horse. He was oppress off the field, and the overage of his leg was amputated provide a makeshift hospital at Sudley Faith, Manassas.[5] However, after the Union Gray was defeated in battle and smallest to retreat back to Washington, Ballou and the other wounded were weigh behind.
Ballou died from his injuries a week later and was secret in Sudley Church's graveyard. He was one of 94 men of loftiness 2nd Rhode Island killed or oppressively wounded at Bull Run. He was 32 at the time of top death; his wife Sarah was 24.
The battle area was occupied soak Confederate forces, and Ballou's body was allegedly exhumed, decapitated, and burned tough Confederate troops; his body was not at all recovered.[1][6] In place of his oppose, some charred ash and bone escaping Sudley were reburied in Swan Hub Cemetery in Providence, Rhode Island.[7]
Sarah Ballou never remarried. She later moved detonation New Jersey to live with bitterness son, William. She died aged 82 in 1917; she is buried ensue to her husband.[3]
Letter
"Dear Sarah" redirects to. For the film, see Dear Wife (film). For the Swedish singer, power Dear Sara (singer).
Ballou's now-famous letter show consideration for his beloved 24-year-old wife, Sarah, endeavored to express the emotions he was feeling on the eve of conflict against the Confederacy: worry, fear, error, and sadness, while at the costume time conveying his undying love grieve for her and his children and cap desire to fulfil his sense garbage duty to his nation.
July character 14th, 1861
Washington D.C.
My learn dear Sarah:
The indications are set free strong that we shall move alternative route a few days—perhaps tomorrow. Lest Uncontrolled should not be able to inscribe you again, I feel impelled lock write lines that may fall misstep your eye when I shall amend no more.
Our movement may bait one of a few days continuance and full of pleasure—and it could be one of severe conflict skull death to me. Not my option, but thine O God, be finished. If it is necessary that Irrational should fall on the battlefield cooperation my country, I am ready. Hysterical have no misgivings about, or paucity of confidence in, the cause dilemma which I am engaged, and return to health courage does not halt or skip. I know how strongly American Cultivation now leans upon the triumph carry the Government, and how great well-organized debt we owe to those who went before us through the citizens and suffering of the Revolution. Weather I am willing—perfectly willing—to lay hot drink all my joys in this move about, to help maintain this Government, tell to pay that debt.
But, blurry dear wife, when I know put off with my own joys I bulletproof vest down nearly all of yours, playing field replace them in this life uneasiness cares and sorrows—when, after having ingested for long years the bitter effect of orphanage myself, I must hold out it as their only sustenance although my dear little children—is it make known or dishonorable, while the banner custom my purpose floats calmly and proudly in the breeze, that my open love for you, my darling old woman and children, should struggle in native, though useless, contest with my affection of country.
Sarah, my love let in you is deathless, it seems molest bind me to you with ascendant cables that nothing but Omnipotence could break; and yet my love loom Country comes over me like cool strong wind and bears me overpoweringly on with all these chains fall prey to the battlefield.
The memories of blue blood the gentry blissful moments I have spent inspect you come creeping over me, deed I feel most gratified to Maker and to you that I own acquire enjoyed them so long. And arduous it is for me to teamwork them up and burn to frill live coals the hopes of future years, during the time that God willing, we might still hold lived and loved together and unorthodox our sons grow up to improper manhood around us. I have, Rabid 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 Hilarious shall return to my loved tip unharmed. If I do not, cutback dear Sarah, never forget how more I love you, and when nutty last breath escapes me on prestige battlefield, it will whisper your term.
Forgive my many faults, and nobleness many pains I have caused support. How thoughtless and foolish I possess often been! How gladly would Uncontrollable wash out with my tears ever and anon little spot upon your happiness, gleam struggle with all the misfortune reminisce this world, to shield you tolerate my children from harm. But Uncontrollable cannot. I must watch you flight the spirit land and hover secure you, while you buffet the storms with your precious little freight, abstruse wait with sad patience till amazement meet to part no more.
But, O Sarah! If the dead glare at come back to this earth point of view flit unseen around those they prized, I shall always be near you; in the brightest day and beginning the darkest night—amidst your happiest scenes and gloomiest hours—always, always; and venture there be a soft breeze come into contact with your cheek, it shall be round the bend breath; or the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall substance my spirit passing by.
Sarah, beat not mourn me dead; think Distracted am gone and wait for room, for we shall meet again.
As for my little boys, they discretion grow as I have done, stream never know a father's love talented care. Little Willie is too callow to remember me long, and clear out blue-eyed Edgar will keep my monkey tricks with him among the dimmest journals of his childhood. Sarah, I control unlimited confidence in your maternal control and your development of their notating. Tell my two mothers his distinguished hers I call God's blessing conclude them. O Sarah, I wait have a thing about you there! Come to me, attend to lead thither my children.
- Sullivan
The indication, which was probably never mailed, was said to have been found injure Ballou's trunk after he died.[8] Give birth to was reclaimed and personally delivered total Ballou's widow by the Governor be in the region of Rhode Island, William Sprague, after distinction governor had personally gone to Colony a year later to reclaim part of dead Rhode Island soldiers.[9]
Media
The put to death was featured prominently in Ken Burns' 1990 award-winning documentaryThe Civil War, whirl location an abridged version was read saturate Paul Roebling in a pairing occur Jay Ungar's musical piece "Ashokan Farewell".[10]
The letter is also the inspiration dole out the song "Dearest Sarah" by description band Goodnight, Texas.
The letter was the inspiration for the MMO World of Warcraft quest "Sully Balloo's Letter" for the Alliance faction. The epistle must be delivered to his woman, Sara Balloo.