“Letter to Sarah Ballou” by Sullivan Ballou: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “Letter to Sarah Ballou” by Sullivan Ballou

The “Letter to Sarah Ballou” is a heartfelt and poignant letter written by Sullivan Ballou, a Major in the Union Army, to his wife Sarah in July 1861, just before the First Battle of Bull Run. In the letter, Ballou expresses his deep love for Sarah and their children, as well as his commitment to the cause of the Union and his willingness to sacrifice his life for it. The letter is a powerful expression of the human cost of war and the sacrifices made by those who fight for their country. It is also a testament to the enduring power of love and the human spirit, and has become a famous and iconic document of the American Civil War.

Main Events in “Letter to Sarah Ballou” by Sullivan Ballou

• Commitment to the Cause: The writer, Ballou, is fully committed to the cause of the Union and willing to give his life for it.
• Love for Country: Ballou’s love for his country is strong and overrides his personal desires and love for his family.
• Farewell to Loved Ones: Ballou is saying goodbye to his loved ones, including his wife Sarah, in case he does not return from battle.
• Memories of Happy Times: Ballou cherishes the memories of happy times spent with his family and is grateful for the time they had together.
• Forgiveness: Ballou asks for forgiveness for his faults and the pain he may have caused his loved ones.
• Promise of Eternal Love: Ballou promises that his love for Sarah will endure even after death and that he will always be with her in spirit.
• Mary Chesnut’s Diary: Mary Chesnut, a member of the Southern gentry, kept a diary during the Civil War, recording her thoughts on the social and political conditions of the time.
• Despair and Hopelessness: Mary Chesnut’s diary entries convey a sense of despair and hopelessness as the Confederacy faces defeat.
• Slavery and Freedom: Dr. Palmer, a preacher, speaks of the inevitability of slavery’s demise and the importance of freedom and self-governance.
• End of an Era: Mary Chesnut’s diary entries also reflect the end of an era and the collapse of the old social order in the South.

Literary Devices in “Letter to Sarah Ballou” by Sullivan Ballou

Literary Device	Example	Explanation
1. Imagery	“the memories of the blissful moments I have spent with you come creeping over me”	Creates vivid mental images
2. Metaphor	“my love for you is deathless”	Compares love to something eternal and unbreakable
3. Personification	“my courage does not halt or falter”	Gives courage human-like qualities
4. Allusion	“the blood and sufferings of the Revolution”	References a historical event
5. Hyperbole	“mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence could break”	Exaggerates the strength of their love
6. Symbolism	“the battlefield”	Represents the sacrifice and danger of war
7. Enjambment	“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”	Continues a sentence into the next line without punctuation
8. Repetition	“I love you”	Emphasizes the strength of his feelings
9. Anaphora	“I have, I know, but few and small claims upon Divine Providence”	Repeats a phrase at the beginning of successive clauses
10. Epistrophe	“always, always, and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath”	Repeats a phrase at the end of successive clauses
11. Pathos	“how thoughtless and foolish I have often times been!”	Evokes emotions and sympathy
12. Oxymoron	“bitter sweet”	Combines opposing ideas
13. Simile	“like a strong wind”	Compares two things using “like” or “as”
14. Apostrophe	“O Sarah!”	Addresses someone not present
15. Irony	“if the dead can come back to this earth”	Says the opposite of what is meant
16. Foreshadowing	“if I do not return”	Hints at a future event
17. Alliteration	“soft breeze”	Repeats initial consonant sounds
18. Assonance	“unresistibly on”	Repeats vowel sounds
19. Concession	“I have, I know, but few and small claims upon Divine Providence”	Acknowledges a point against one’s argument
20. Euphemism	“when my last breath escapes me on the battlefield”	Uses indirect language to avoid offense

Characterization in “Letter to Sarah Ballou” by Sullivan Ballou

Major Character: Sullivan Ballou

• Determined and Committed: Ballou is fully committed to the Union cause and willing to sacrifice his life for it.
• Loving and Devoted: He expresses deep love and devotion to his wife Sarah and their children.
• Courageous and Brave: Ballou shows courage and bravery in the face of danger and potential death.
• Reflective and Nostalgic: He reflects on happy memories with his family and cherishes them.
• Selfless and Sacrificial: Ballou prioritizes his country’s needs over his own desires and family.

Minor Character: Sarah Ballou

• Loved and Cherished: Sarah is deeply loved and cherished by her husband Sullivan.
• Worried and Anxious: Implied to be worried and anxious about her husband’s safety and potential loss.
• Supportive and Loyal: Sarah is supportive of her husband’s commitment to the Union cause.

Minor Character: Edgar (Sullivan and Sarah’s son)

• Innocent and Vulnerable: Edgar is a young child, innocent and vulnerable to the consequences of war.
• Loved and Missed: He is deeply loved and missed by his father Sullivan.

Major Themes in “Letter to Sarah Ballou” by Sullivan Ballou

• Theme: Love and Devotion
• The letter is a powerful expression of Sullivan Ballou’s love and devotion to his wife Sarah and their children. He writes, “My love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence could break.” This theme is evident throughout the letter, as Ballou repeatedly expresses his deep affection and longing for his family.
• Theme: Patriotism and Duty
• Ballou’s commitment to the Union cause is a significant theme in the letter. He writes, “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.” This theme is closely tied to his sense of duty and responsibility to fight for his country.
• Theme: Mortality and the Afterlife
• The letter confronts the reality of mortality, as Ballou faces the possibility of death in battle. He writes, “If the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you.” This theme is a poignant expression of Ballou’s desire to transcend death and remain connected to his loved ones.
• Theme: Sacrifice and Selflessness
• Ballou’s willingness to sacrifice his life for his country and his family is a significant theme in the letter. He writes, “I am willing—perfectly willing—to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this Government, and to pay that debt.” This theme highlights Ballou’s selflessness and commitment to a higher cause.
• Theme: Nostalgia and Reminiscence
• The letter is also a nostalgic reflection on happy memories and moments shared with his family. Ballou writes, “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 so long.” This theme is a bittersweet expression of Ballou’s appreciation for the time he had with his loved ones.

Writing Style in “Letter to Sarah Ballou” by Sullivan Ballou

• Emotional and Sincere: The letter is heartfelt and genuine, conveying Ballou’s true feelings and emotions.
• Poetic and Figurative: The writing is lyrical and uses metaphors (e.g., “my love for you is deathless”), hyperbole (e.g., “mighty cables”), and personification (e.g., “my courage does not halt or falter”).
• Intimate and Personal: The letter is addressed to his wife, using affectionate language and sharing personal thoughts and feelings.
• Reflective and Nostalgic: Ballou reflects on happy memories and cherishes them, showing a nostalgic tone.
• Formal and Elegant: The language is formal, with complex sentences and poetic phrasing, reflecting the elegance of 19th-century writing.
• Honest and Vulnerable: Ballou is open and honest about his fears, doubts, and emotions, making the letter vulnerable and relatable.
• Passionate and Patriotic: The letter expresses strong passion for the Union cause and a sense of duty and loyalty.
• Spiritual and Philosophical: Ballou touches on themes of mortality, eternity, and the afterlife, showing a spiritual and philosophical tone.
• Romantic and Sentimental: The letter is romantic, expressing deep love and devotion to his wife and family.

Literary Theories and Interpretation of “Letter to Sarah Ballou” by Sullivan Ballou

Literary Theory	Interpretation
Romanticism	Emphasis on emotions, personal experience, and the beauty of language. Ballou’s letter is a passionate expression of love and devotion.
Patriarchalism	The letter reinforces traditional gender roles, with Ballou as the patriarchal figure sacrificing for his family and country.
Psychoanalytic	Ballou’s letter reveals his inner conflicts, desires, and fears, showcasing his psyche and emotional state.
Historical Contextualism	The letter is a product of its time, reflecting the political and social tensions of the American Civil War era.
Feminist	Sarah Ballou is portrayed as a passive recipient of her husband’s love, highlighting the limited agency and voice of women during this time period.
Marxist	The letter can be seen as a critique of the capitalist system, with Ballou fighting for the Union and against the oppressive slave-holding South.
Poststructuralist	The letter’s language and meaning are unstable and subjective, open to multiple interpretations and challenging dominant narratives.
New Historicism	The letter is a historical artifact, revealing the cultural, social, and political contexts of the Civil War era.
Reader-Response	The reader’s emotional response to the letter is crucial, as it evokes feelings of love, loss, and longing.

Topics, Questions, and Thesis Statements about “Letter to Sarah Ballou” by Sullivan Ballou

Short Questions/Answers about/on “Letter to Sarah Ballou” by Sullivan Ballou

Question	Answer	Example from the Letter
What is the tone of the letter?	The tone is emotional, sincere, and nostalgic, conveying Ballou’s deep love and devotion to his family.	“My love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence could break.”
What is the purpose of the letter?	The letter is a farewell message to his wife Sarah, in case he does not return from battle, expressing his love and commitment to her and their children.	“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.”
How does Ballou view his duty?	Ballou sees his duty as a soldier as a higher calling, willing to sacrifice his life for his country and family.	“I am willing—perfectly willing—to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this Government, and to pay that debt.”
What role does memory play in the letter?	Memory is a central theme, as Ballou reflects on happy moments with his family and cherishes them, highlighting the importance of remembering loved ones.	“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 so long.”

Literary Works Similar to “Letter to Sarah Ballou” by Sullivan Ballou

1. “War Letters: Extraordinary Correspondence from American Wars” edited by Andrew Carroll: This collection features letters from various American wars, showcasing the intimate thoughts and emotions of soldiers and their loved ones.
2. The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane: This novel follows a young soldier named Henry Fleming during the American Civil War, exploring themes of courage, fear, and the harsh realities of battle.
3. All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque: Set during World War I, this novel provides a haunting portrayal of the physical and psychological toll of war on soldiers, their friendships, and their sense of identity.
4. Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo: This anti-war novel tells the story of a young American soldier who becomes severely wounded and loses his limbs and senses, reflecting on the brutality of war and the dehumanization of its victims.
5. A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway: Set during World War I, this novel explores the experiences of an American ambulance driver serving in the Italian army and his love affair with a British nurse amidst the chaos and tragedy of war.

Suggested Readings about/on “Letter to Sarah Ballou” by Sullivan Ballou

Books:

• Ballou, Sullivan. “Letter to Sarah Ballou.” The Civil War: The Final Year Told by Those Who Lived It, edited by Aaron Sheehan-Dean, The Library of America, 2014, pp. 401-403.
• Carroll, Andrew. War Letters: Extraordinary Correspondence from American Wars. New York, Scribner, 2002.

Articles:

• Hough, Jennifer Wright Corbell. America at war: Song composers’ settings of letters inspired by wartime. The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2014.
• Hutchinson, Joseph. “Learning about the Civil War through soldiers’ letters.” Social Education 69.6 (2005): 318.
• Nelson, Michael C. “Writing during wartime: gender and literacy in the American Civil War.” Journal of American Studies 31.1 (1997): 43-68.

Websites:

• Civil War Trust. “Sullivan Ballou Letter: ‘The Dear Sarah’ Letter.” Civil War Trust, www.civilwar.org/learn/primary-sources/letters/sullivan-ballou-letter. Accessed 21 April 2024.
• Library of Congress. “Sullivan Ballou’s Letter to Sarah.” Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/item/mss3869001/. Accessed 21 April 2024.

Representative Quotations from “Letter to Sarah Ballou” by Sullivan Ballou

Quotation	Context	Theorization
“My love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence could break;”	Ballou expresses his eternal love for Sarah, comparing it to unbreakable cables.	Romanticism; highlights the intensity and eternity of Ballou’s love.
“I am willing—perfectly willing—to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this Government, and to pay that debt.”	Ballou declares his willingness to sacrifice his life for the Union cause.	Patriotism; showcases Ballou’s commitment to the Union and his sense of duty.
“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 so long.”	Ballou reflects on happy memories with Sarah, expressing gratitude for their time together.	Nostalgia; emphasizes the importance of memory and the past in shaping Ballou’s emotions.
“If I do not my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you, and when my last breath escapes me on the battlefield, it will whisper your name.”	Ballou asks Sarah to remember his love, even in death.	Mortality; highlights Ballou’s awareness of his own mortality and desire for a lasting legacy.
“Sarah do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for thee, for we shall meet again.”	Ballou offers comfort to Sarah, promising a reunion in the afterlife.	Spirituality; suggests Ballou’s belief in an afterlife and a desire for eternal union with Sarah.