“2 Soldiers and their Final Letters”
1. Who was Sullivan Ballou? Who was William Forbes Belcher? In what battles were they
involved?
2. To whom did Ballou write his letter? To whom did Belcher write his letter?
3. Why do you think these two solders felt they needed to write these letters? How might
the tone of these letters be different from the typical letters home you might expect?
4. List three ways that each of the letters are similar. List three ways each might be
different.
5. How does Major Belcher explain death to his sons? How does he help his sons
understand their place in the world and in nature?
6. What types of advice does Major Belcher give his sons about how to live a good life?
What encouragement does he give them? What does he ask them to do for each other?
7. What impact does the poem that Major Belcher wrote have on the letter as a whole?
Why do you think he might have included it in the letter?
8. In his letter, what does Major Belcher mention about the boys’ mother? What does Major
Ballou mention about his sons in his letter?
9. In both letters, the writers make some references to immortality. What do they say?
Sullivan Ballou (Killed at the Battle of the 1st Bull Run, July 21st, 1861)
July 14, 1861
Camp Clark, Washington
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 . . .
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 on the
triumph of the Government and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through
the blood and sufferings 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 could break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and
bears me unresistibly on with all these chains to the battle field.
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 for 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 grown 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 battle field, it will whisper your name. Forgive my many faults and the many pains I
have caused you. How thoughtless and foolish I have often times been! How gladly would I wash
out with my tears every little spot upon your happiness . . .
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 gladdest days and in the darkest nights . . . always, always, and
if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath, as 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 . . .
Williams Ford Belcher (Killed at the Battle of Okinawa, February 1945)
14 Feb. ’45 Wednesday
Dear Stevie & Dave,
This is a letter that I want your mother to save for you until you are older if
perchance I never return. Death is not an easy thing for anyone to understand but
every life shall one day end and should that day come for me before I can return to
live with you remember that only the body can be taken and I will still be. You both
shall know your father better as you grow and know yourself better. I can never be
dead, because you are alive. Time and accident, illness and weariness may take
my body, but already you have given it back to me, younger and more eager than
ever. I don’t expect you to understand these things but I know you will remember
this – that nothing good ever ends. If it did, there would be no people in the world
– no life at all, anywhere, and the world is full of people and full of wonderful life.
Everything alive is part of each of us and many things which do not move as we
move are part of us. The sun, the earth, the skies, the rivers and the oceans are all
part of us and you have come here to enjoy them and thank God for them. You are
a part of all that you have ever seen or heard.
Steve, you are the eldest and may remember me and the things we have
done and because you are the older take care of Dave and help him. Take care of
your bodies and do not abuse them be strong and active – there’s nothing that
you can’t do if you make up your mind to do it. Sometimes the cost of fulfilling a
desire is high – be sure it is worth it. Learn to stand on your own feet and make the
right decisions – it’s your life. An education is valueless if you fail to learn how to
live and enjoy life. Disappointments and troubles only make you stronger and to
be a mountain climber you have to climb a mountain. Laertes spoke to Colonius
and said, “First to thine own self be true and it must follow as the night the day –
thou canst not then be false to any man”. Steve – we searched for you quite
aimlessly among the flowers of God’s garden and Dave – you came to help him
grow and learn. Help each other and learn to share. Stand out from the crowd and
be moderate in all things. . . .
I hope that I can share many years yet with you but if we are denied those
pleasures be good sons of your mother. She loves you and has done far more for
you than I. Good luck and live a full life.