Major Ballou’s Final Letter

2nd Rhode Island Infantry. July, 1861. Major Sullivan Ballou

knew the battle was coming. And he knew he might not return. So he wrote a letter

To his wife, Sarah. He told her he loved her more than ever. That his spirit

would always be with her. That he had no regrets Except leaving her behind.

A week later, at Bull Run, Ballou was mortally wounded. Confederate forces

overran the field. His body was never returned. Sarah never remarried. But his final words

survived. A reminder of what the war cost Far beyond the battlefield. More true Civil

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