RSS
Home
Letters home: Soldiers and loved ones, managing the distance
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Read Part II: Little things, amplified: The view from home
Read part III: "One hundred percent a soldier."
Part I: My very dear Sarah
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 battle field, it will whisper your name.
- Major Sullivan Ballou
2nd Rhode Island Infantry
July 14, 1861
2nd Rhode Island Infantry
July 14, 1861
It is one of the most famous love letters of all time. Major Simon Ballou, writing from Camp Clark, Washington, stole a few moments to share with his wife, Sarah, his devotion to her, their children, and the country.
The letter was never mailed.
Ballou died July 21 at the first Battle of Bull Run (in Manassas, VA), just one week after composing the note. Were it not for Rhode Island governor William Sprague, who traveled to Virginia to collect the remains of his state’s citizens who died in battle, Mrs. Ballou would never have read the passionate words of a husband only days away from his ultimate destiny.
For historians, letters home provide a rich source of first-hand knowledge of the sights, sounds, and personal struggles of war. While some, like the Ballou letter, are heartbreaking, others can be joyful or downright funny. For example, another Civil War-era letter penned by an anonymous soldier, responding to “Hattie,” after she had responded to his ad in a “lonely hearts” magazine. In it, he proclaims his affection for women who are “romps,” rather than “Miss Prims.”
Military service, particularly in times of war, often means prolonged separation from loved ones back home. Even sporadic contact does wonders for morale. Domestic American wars, from the Revolution and War of 1812 to the Civil War, saw letters transported across land by a variety of public and private mail carriers. WWI necessitated overseas delivery, but WWII dramatically changed the way men in battle communicated with friends and family.
In order to cut down on shipping space more desperately needed for munitions and food, the military developed V (for Victory) mail. Letters were reduced to thumb-nail size on microfilm and sent overseas, where they were restored to a readable size.
According to the National Postal Museum, between June 1942 and April 1945, more than 556 million pieces of V-mail were sent from the U.S. to military post offices. In that same period, over 510 million pieces were received from military personnel abroad.
Today, technology has changed the way our fighting men and women connect with their friends and family back home. While these new methods make communication easier, faster, and more frequent, they can only ease – not erase – the fear and anxiety that is part of the painful reality of saying goodbye to a departing soldier.
History Geek is now on Facebook!
Become a fan today!
Become a fan today!
More About:
Military
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
Stupid Questions IStupid Questions IIStupid Questions IIIMore of the frequently asked questions confused students ask their heroic history teachers. …
Stupid Questions IStupid Questions II More of those “unanswerable” questions students commonly ask history teachers. Q. In his famous …
