Sullivan Ballou

As Christians, we're in a war, and we have to develop the mindset of a soldier.

Perhaps nowhere is the mindset of a soldier more powerfully and beautifully portrayed than in a personal letter that was written on July 14th, 1861 by a Rhode Island soldier named Sullivan Ballou.

I came across this letter a number of years ago.

I think I shared it with you then.

I saw it again and read it again recently, and I think it's appropriate for us this morning.

Sullivan Ballou wrote to his wife, "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 you again, I feel impelled to write lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more.

If it is necessary that I should fall on the battlefield for my country, I am ready.

This is a love letter from a Ken Burns documentary.

[drums beating] A week before the Battle of Bull Run, Sullivan Ballou, a major in the Second Rhode Island Volunteers, wrote home to his wife in Smithfield.

July the 14th, 1861, Washington, DC.

Dear Sarah, the indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days, perhaps tomorrow.

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 First Battle of Bull Run.

That letter was just written by a guy.