****GETTYSBURG**** July 1 1863

MilitaryHistoryOnline.com ^ | July 1 2003 | Carlo3b

[carlo3b]

GETTYSBURG

It was 140 years ago today, almost to the minute, that our nation faced one of the most defining and bloody 3 days, in the history of all mankind.  On Wednesday, July 1 1863, more than 50,000 men and boys lost their life, or limb on one field of battle. On that day the tiny town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania witnessed not only a day that will find it's way into the annals of American history but a slaughter beyond belief. The Union and Confederate Armies met and fought a battle that was "Our War", between our neighbors and countrymen.. It was not the end of the war, but the beginning of the ..
WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES...
 

Thanks to the fine research and accurate depiction of that battle, performed by the folks on a great source of history, MilitaryHistoryOnline.com, you can join me in remembering those brave soldiers of both armies...

[carlo3b]

I have always been fascinated by how the early Americans, without the advantage of a structured modern education, had such a grasp of our language, and the ability to articulate their feeling in the written word. None are more poignant than the writing of our soldiers to their loved ones describing their plight and emotions between the heat of battle.  This letter written by an officer to his wife that was featured on one of the finest documentaries of our Civil War, ever produced on film.

Sullivan Ballou's letter to his beloved wife Sarah, July 14,1861 Camp Clark, Washington DC, as it was read on the PBS series The CIVIL WAR by Ken Burns series....

Dear Sarah:

The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days - perhaps tomorrow. And 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 am no more.

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 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.

Sarah, my love for you is deathless, 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 with all those chains to the battlefield. The memory of all the blissful moments I have enjoyed with you come crowding over me, and I feel most deeply grateful to God and you, that I have enjoyed them for so long. And how hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes and future years, when, God willing, we might still have lived and loved together, and see our boys grown up to honorable manhood around us.

If I do not return, my dear Sarah, never forget how much I loved you, nor that when my last breath escapes me on the battle field, it will whisper your name...

Forgive my many faults, and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless, how foolish I have sometimes been!...

But, 0 Sarah, if the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they love, I shall always be with you, in the brightest day and in the darkest night... always, always. And when the soft breeze fans your cheek, it shall be my breath, or the cool air your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by.

Sarah do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for me, for we shall meet again...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sullivan Ballou was killed a week later at the 1st Battle of Bull Run.
 
 

[dansangel]

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.

Oh, how moving that letter is! What a courageous, selfless man and what a very lucky woman to have had him as a husband for only a short time.

Thank you for sharing that ((((Carlo)))).

[cibco]

BTTT

[carlo3b]

Oh, how moving that letter is...

I know...I almost tear up every time I read it, and damned near broke down when I heard it read on the movie...sheeesh ...of course real men NEVER CRY.. HUGGG

[dansangel]

of course real men NEVER CRY.. HUGGG

No, and they never ((((((HUG))))) either!

:-)

[Colorado Doug]

Bump or later read

[carlo3b]

American History TEACHER BUMP!!!

I'm not going to beat up the public school system, as so many others do on these boards, but I'm not sure my kids would have ever had the deep appreciation for our heritage without the prodding and almost constant exposure we have given them since birth.
However isn't that our moral duty as parents, to teach our own children what we feel are the priorities we believe is best for them, and our schools are really responsible for covering their education with the broad brush to insure the full breath of knowledge exists before life's journey?

[carlo3b]

Gettysburg for all its bloodshed, was spectacle. Vicksburg was the decisive campaign of the war.

Quite an understatement, but perhaps you have a point, however, that cannot reduce the impact this battle had on the conscience of our nation, or the measure of the resolve it instilled in the Union cause.

[carlo3b]

I toasted John Buford tonight!

"He [Buford] despised the false flourish and noisy parade of the charlatans of the service and avoided, too much, perhaps, the proper praise due to his glorious actions and sought to depreciate, prompted by his inherent modesty, the contemporary glorification which less worthy men coveted. For this reason he was not known to the newspaper world as were many others who will sink into insignificance while the name of Buford will occupy a bright page in the history of his country."
Wesley Merritt, Rock Island Daily Union, July 11, 1895

[carlo3b]

Great story, and recipe...Thanks my friend.. Carlo

[ought-six]

My great-great grandfather missed out on the fun at Gettysburg, as he, at that time, was with Nathan Bedford Forest in Tennesee and Northern Alabama. Yep, my great-great grand-dad was a Rebel cavalryman.

[Alamo-Girl]

Oh how beautiful, how noble! Thank you!!!

[carlo3b]

Wonderful examples of the courage, sensibilities and bravery exhibited by our fighting men during this horrific war. Thanks for sharing these letters.. Carlo

[Im Your Huckleberry]

I don't think it is an understatement, and many modern historians back up my argument that Vicksburg was the most decisive campaign of the war.

From a morale standpoint, I will not argue that Gettysburg was important, nor do I completely discount the effects of the victory had on the country. It certainly did. Perhaps I'm going too far understating it's significance, but it's merely because I feel Gettysburg has been overplayed.

That being that it's impact and significance have been, for too long, overstated (or overrated is perhaps the correct term) and the result being that the "glory" and "spectacle" of Gettysburg has eclipsed, unfairly and unrightly, the campaign that truly was the decisive campaign of the war, that being Grant's Vicksburg Campaign, and the resulting siege and fall of the city.

[jellybean]

This letter always brings tears to my eyes. I'm just a hopeless romantic, I guess...

Thank you for posting it.

[grapeape]

I shall join you. I will tell everyone I know that we are celebrating: American independence, Gettysburg, and Vicksburg. That's three drinks!!! Very cool..

[grapeape]

Thank you very much! I had this site and lost it. I appreciate the effort.

[grapeape]

I've grown up with people like him. I've known so many people like him it's almost like I can here him talking. My gunny was like that. I'll have another dirnk this evening for the rest of his men. At least we remember the job they did and the sacrifice they made.

[Constitution Day]

That is so cool, though! Maybe our g-g-granddaddies knew each other or spoke to each other!

Well, we will never know, but that would be quite a coincidence!

Thanks very much for the link. I look forward to reading it!
Today is my daughter's birthday, so I have to get out of here early. I'll probably stay up late reading through that site. :)

Regards,

[Ditter]

Thanks, I'm going to try it. ;9}