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Author Topic:   Belated 4th of July
Percy
Member
Posts: 22392
From: New Hampshire
Joined: 12-23-2000
Member Rating: 5.3


Message 1 of 11 (223905)
07-15-2005 10:23 AM


I intended to post this on July 4th, but I didn't check my reminders while on vacation, so here's my belated 4th of July post. I found this somewhere on the Internet a few months ago, it's famous of course, but I thought it was appropriate for the day.
A week before the battle of Bull Run Sullivan Ballou, a Major in the 2nd
Rhode Island Volunteers, wrote home to his wife in Smithfield.

July 14,1861
Camp Clark, Washington DC
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.
--Percy

Replies to this message:
 Message 2 by Tal, posted 07-15-2005 10:40 AM Percy has not replied
 Message 3 by Chiroptera, posted 07-15-2005 11:39 AM Percy has not replied
 Message 4 by Phat, posted 07-04-2016 3:55 PM Percy has not replied
 Message 7 by Phat, posted 07-05-2018 8:19 AM Percy has not replied

  
Tal
Member (Idle past 5677 days)
Posts: 1140
From: Fort Bragg, NC
Joined: 12-29-2004


Message 2 of 11 (223909)
07-15-2005 10:40 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by Percy
07-15-2005 10:23 AM



I helped scare an old person-I stopped someone from keeping more of their money-So what if people want to have say in the places they live and the cars that they drive-I gave money to an environmental group that helped keep us dependant on foreign oil-I help the enemies of democracy get stronger by telling them laws don’t matter-What if one day I need an abortion-Sex with an intern, everybody does it-I help teach kids around America that America is always wrong
Do you know what your DNC stands for?

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by Percy, posted 07-15-2005 10:23 AM Percy has not replied

  
Chiroptera
Inactive Member


Message 3 of 11 (223918)
07-15-2005 11:39 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by Percy
07-15-2005 10:23 AM


Hi, Percy. I hope you had a nice holiday.
I suspect that I am reading this letter in a way that was not intended. As I have indicated in another thread before, I have respect for those who will make great sacrifices for what they believe in. But when I read this letter I mainly see yet another individual who died tragically in an unnecessary war.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by Percy, posted 07-15-2005 10:23 AM Percy has not replied

  
Phat
Member
Posts: 18262
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.1


Message 4 of 11 (787127)
07-04-2016 3:55 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by Percy
07-15-2005 10:23 AM


Quite Belated for 2005
Happy 4th of July 2016!
That 2005 letter reminded me of a truth: While the quantity of communication has increased exponentially in the past century, the quality of communication has suffered greatly. How many people even write letters that eloquent any more? Not only that---how many text messages or e-mails even come close?

Chance as a real force is a myth. It has no basis in reality and no place in scientific inquiry. For science and philosophy to continue to advance in knowledge, chance must be demythologized once and for all. —RC Sproul
"A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." —Mark Twain "
~"If that's not sufficient for you go soak your head."~Faith

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by Percy, posted 07-15-2005 10:23 AM Percy has not replied

  
Phat
Member
Posts: 18262
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.1


Message 5 of 11 (835922)
07-05-2018 7:59 AM


Belated Seems Traditonal
Happy Fourth 2018! And that letter serves as a timeless reminder of why we hear fireworks each and every year! Now more than ever in the Age Of Trump we need to remember our liberty and why we (should) fight...not to dominate world events, but to protect our own internal union.
Sullivan Ballou
Edited by Phat, : No reason given.

Chance as a real force is a myth. It has no basis in reality and no place in scientific inquiry. For science and philosophy to continue to advance in knowledge, chance must be demythologized once and for all. —RC Sproul
"A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." —Mark Twain "
~"If that's not sufficient for you go soak your head."~Faith
Paul was probably SO soaked in prayer nobody else has ever equaled him.~Faith

  
jar
Member (Idle past 394 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 6 of 11 (835923)
07-05-2018 8:14 AM


The Flag was still there.

My Sister's Website: Rose Hill Studios My Website: My Website

Replies to this message:
 Message 8 by Phat, posted 07-05-2018 8:29 AM jar has replied

  
Phat
Member
Posts: 18262
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.1


Message 7 of 11 (835925)
07-05-2018 8:19 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by Percy
07-15-2005 10:23 AM


A longer version of the letter taken from Wiki
July the 14th, 1861
Washington D.C.
My very dear Sarah:
The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few daysperhaps 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.
Our movement may be one of a few days duration and full of pleasureand it may be one of severe conflict and death to me. Not my will, but thine O God, be done. If it is necessary that I should fall on the battlefield for my country, I am ready. 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 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 willingperfectly willingto lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this Government, and to pay that debt.
But, my dear wife, when I know that with my own joys I lay down nearly all of yours, and replace them in this life with cares and sorrowswhen, after having eaten for long years the bitter fruit of orphanage myself, I must offer it as their only sustenance to my dear little childrenis it weak or dishonorable, while the banner of my purpose floats calmly and proudly in the breeze, that my unbounded love for you, my darling wife and children, should struggle in fierce, though useless, contest with my love of country.
Sarah, my love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me to you 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 irresistibly on with all these chains to the battlefield.
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. 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 grow up to honorable manhood around us. I have, I know, but few and small claims upon Divine Providence, but something whispers to meperhaps it is the wafted prayer of my little Edgarthat 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 battlefield, it will whisper your name.
Forgive my many faults, and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless and foolish I have often been! How gladly would I wash out with my tears every little spot upon your happiness, and struggle with all the misfortune of this world, to shield you and my children from harm. But I cannot. I must watch you from the spirit land and hover near you, while you buffet the storms with your precious little freight, and wait with sad patience till we meet to part no more.
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 brightest day and in the darkest nightamidst your happiest scenes and gloomiest hoursalways, always; and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath; or 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 me, for we shall meet again.
As for my little boys, they will grow as I have done, and never know a father's love and care. Little Willie is too young to remember me long, and my blue-eyed Edgar will keep my frolics with him among the dimmest memories of his childhood. Sarah, I have unlimited confidence in your maternal care and your development of their characters. Tell my two mothers his and hers I call God's blessing upon them. O Sarah, I wait for you there! Come to me, and lead thither my children.
Sullivan
Additional research apart from wikipedia..(which I don't fully trust, anyway)
Manassas National Battlefield Park
Edited by Phat, : added informaation

Chance as a real force is a myth. It has no basis in reality and no place in scientific inquiry. For science and philosophy to continue to advance in knowledge, chance must be demythologized once and for all. —RC Sproul
"A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." —Mark Twain "
~"If that's not sufficient for you go soak your head."~Faith
Paul was probably SO soaked in prayer nobody else has ever equaled him.~Faith

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by Percy, posted 07-15-2005 10:23 AM Percy has not replied

  
Phat
Member
Posts: 18262
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.1


Message 8 of 11 (835926)
07-05-2018 8:29 AM
Reply to: Message 6 by jar
07-05-2018 8:14 AM


Re: The Flag was still there.
Confirmed! That is Fort McHenry. One must be careful doing research via google...and I dont trust Wikipedia fully. Also, in reading about Sullivan Ballou, I noticed that he was an educated man...at least according to Wikipedia.
quote:
... he attended boarding school at Nichols Academy in Dudley, Massachusetts and Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. After graduation from Phillips, he attended Brown University, where he was a member of Delta Phi, and went on to study law at the National Law School, in Ballston, New York. He was admitted to the bar in Rhode Island and began practice in 1853.(...)Ballou was active in public affairs. In 1854, soon after beginning his law practice, he was elected to the Rhode Island House of Representatives. He was chosen as Clerk of the House, and later as the Speaker. He was a staunch Republican and supporter of Abraham Lincoln.[3]
After the bombardment of Fort Sumter in April 1861, President Lincoln called on the states to provide 75,000 militia troops to put down the rebellion.
Ballou promptly volunteered, and encouraged others to do so as well.
How many of todays lawyers and politicians would volunteer for the Army?
Edited by Phat, : additional research wikipedia style
Edited by Phat, : No reason given.

Chance as a real force is a myth. It has no basis in reality and no place in scientific inquiry. For science and philosophy to continue to advance in knowledge, chance must be demythologized once and for all. —RC Sproul
"A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." —Mark Twain "
~"If that's not sufficient for you go soak your head."~Faith
Paul was probably SO soaked in prayer nobody else has ever equaled him.~Faith

This message is a reply to:
 Message 6 by jar, posted 07-05-2018 8:14 AM jar has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 9 by jar, posted 07-05-2018 9:25 AM Phat has seen this message but not replied
 Message 10 by ringo, posted 07-05-2018 11:46 AM Phat has not replied
 Message 11 by dwise1, posted 07-08-2018 5:08 AM Phat has not replied

  
jar
Member (Idle past 394 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


(1)
Message 9 of 11 (835927)
07-05-2018 9:25 AM
Reply to: Message 8 by Phat
07-05-2018 8:29 AM


Re: The Flag was still there.
But the basic idea is to get the periods right.
The 4th of July celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, 4 July, 1776.
The Star Spangled Banner celebrates the defense of Baltimore during the US War of 1812.
The letter relates to the US Civil War that lasted from 1861 through 1865.
There is almost a century of US history there.

My Sister's Website: Rose Hill Studios My Website: My Website

This message is a reply to:
 Message 8 by Phat, posted 07-05-2018 8:29 AM Phat has seen this message but not replied

  
ringo
Member (Idle past 412 days)
Posts: 20940
From: frozen wasteland
Joined: 03-23-2005


Message 10 of 11 (835932)
07-05-2018 11:46 AM
Reply to: Message 8 by Phat
07-05-2018 8:29 AM


Re: The Flag was still there.
Phat writes:
How many of todays lawyers and politicians would volunteer for the Army?
The Army is the last line of defense - after the lawyers and politicians have already made a mess of guarding our freedoms.

And our geese will blot out the sun.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 8 by Phat, posted 07-05-2018 8:29 AM Phat has not replied

  
dwise1
Member
Posts: 5930
Joined: 05-02-2006
Member Rating: 5.8


Message 11 of 11 (836019)
07-08-2018 5:08 AM
Reply to: Message 8 by Phat
07-05-2018 8:29 AM


Re: The Flag was still there.
How many of todays lawyers and politicians would volunteer for the Army?
Depends on what it has to offer.
Admittedly, more of my experience and knowledge is on the medical side and less on the JAG side.
Every profession has its own professional progression. The medical profession has a long term of internship during which the new physicians just barely survive financially the first years of their profession. So why not parlay your medical degree into a military commission and turn your internship into a financial coup?
Do JAG types have a similar career path? I simply do not know.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 8 by Phat, posted 07-05-2018 8:29 AM Phat has not replied

  
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