Wartime Letters Home: Dear Son,

2021-05-21T09:47:27-04:00

Two things may surprise you with this letter: the fact it was written during this country's first war—the American Revolution, and aside from the formality of the language, the letter's content being of such relevance to one that could have been written in current times.

Place ourselves back in these times—resources like paper and ink were scarce and expensive and therefore reserved for officers and the affluent. The delivery system could hardly be considered a "system." Missives and letters written during the Revolutionary War were usually hand-delivered from point A to point B with no regularity of speed and no guarantee of a successful delivery. Additionally, many of the folks in the 1700s were functionally illiterate and therefore shied away from putting their thoughts down on paper. Couple all of those factors with the over two centuries of opportunities for these letters to be lost, damaged, or destroyed—we've got ourselves a national treasure.

As far as the content of this endearing letter from father to son, I would have to believe the sentiments are not too dissimilar to the words of wisdom given from the front lines today. In reading this letter the first time through, I was taken aback in the best way possible by the respect James Williams wrote to his son, calling upon him to step up and be the man of the house and to be mindful to not act in such a way that would upset his mother. His word choice delivers his message delicately, all the while not bringing focus to the danger of his call to duty.

This letter is truly one to cherish as it celebrates his obedience to God's will, his duty to country, and his love for his family all in one letter home to his son. Arguably, it is by Divine Providence that this letter is one of the few which has survived over 240 years of existence, and therefore, it is my honor to bring it to your attention.

June 12, 1779
Dear Son,

This is the first chance I have had to write you. I am, by the cause of Providence, in the field on defense of my country. When I reflect on the matter, I feel myself distracted on both hands by this thought, that in my old age I should be obliged to take the field in defense of my rights and liberties, and that of my children. God only knows that it is not of choice, but of necessity, and from the consideration that I had rather suffer anything than lose my birthright, and that of my children.

When I come to lay down in the field, stripped of all the pleasure that my family connections afford me at home—surrounded by an affectionate wife and eight dear children, and all the blessings of life—when I reflect on my own distress, I feel for that of my family, on account of my absence from their midst; and especially for the mother, who sits like a dove that has lost its mate, having the weight of the family on her shoulders.

These thoughts make me afraid that the son we carefully nursed in our youth may do something that would grieve his mother. Now, my son, if my favor is worth seeking, let me tell you the only step to procure it is the care of your tender mother—to please her is ten times more valuable than any other favor that you could do me in my person.

I am sorry to have to inform you of the melancholy death of Anthony Griffin, which took place on the 11th instant, while out with a scouting party. Alighting from his horse, and leaning on his gun, it accidentally went off, shooting him through the head. He never spoke after the accident. This is a fatal consequence of handling guns without proper care; they ought to be used with the greatest caution. The uncertainty of life ought to induce every man to prepare for death.

Now, my son, I must bid you farewell. I commit you to the care of Providence, begging that you will try to obtain that peculiar blessing. May God bless you, my son, and give you grace to conduct yourself, in my absence, as becomes a dutiful son to a tender mother and the family.

…I am, dear son, with great respect, your affectionate father,
Jas. Williams

~From Grace Under Fire, Letters of Faith in Times of War, by Andrew Carroll. Reprinted with permission. http://www.warletters.us

The Center for American War Letters

The Center for American War Letters at Chapman University houses more than 90,000 letters from soldiers and their families spanning 230 years and dozens of wars and conflicts.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made May 21 at 2021 9:53 AM

2021-05-21T09:53:57-04:00

Excellent share sister Susan Hunter

Response by SFC Randy Hellenbrand made May 21 at 2021 10:07 AM

2021-05-21T10:07:49-04:00

Great read. Actually a bit scary.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 21 at 2021 11:40 AM

2021-05-21T11:40:05-04:00

Four pronounced themes:
- Ideology
- Passion for the cause
- Love
- Sacrifice

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 21 at 2021 12:09 PM

2021-05-21T12:09:18-04:00

I must make a contribution to this thread. This extremely poignant and eloquent letter was written by a Union soldier to his wife. He had intimations he might not survive the next battle. I believe he was killed a few days after writing the letter. It was found on his body and was personally delivered to his widowed wife. It was such beautifully written that I would imagine his widowed wife's heart was broken further and the tears more abundant. One of the sad facets of war is often up to three generations of family and relatives will personally feel the impact of war due to the loss of a loved one.

The last letter from Major Sullivan Ballou, written to his wife leading up to the battle at First Bull Run.

Headquarters, Camp Clark
Washington, D.C., July 14, 1861

My Very Dear Wife:

Indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days, perhaps to-morrow. 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 shall be no more.

Our movement may be one of a few days duration and full of pleasure and 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 battle-field for any 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 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.

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 care and sorrows, when, after having eaten for long years the bitter fruit of orphanage myself, I must offer it, as their only sustenance, to my dear little children, is 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.

I cannot describe to you my feelings on this calm summer night, when two thousand men are sleeping around me, many of them enjoying the last, perhaps, before that of death, and I, suspicious that Death is creeping behind me with his fatal dart, am communing with God, my country and thee.

I have sought most closely and diligently, and often in my breast, for a wrong motive in this hazarding the happiness of those I loved, and I could not find one. A pure love of my country, and of the principles I have often advocated before the people, and "the name of honor, that I love more than I fear death," have called upon me, and I have obeyed.

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 on with all those chains, to the battlefield. The memories of all the blissful moments I have spent with you come crowding over me, and I feel most deeply grateful to God and you, that I have enjoyed them so long. And how 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 boys grow up to honorable manhood around us.

I know I have but few 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, 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 oftentimes 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 garish day, and the darkest night amidst your happiest scenes and gloomiest hours always, always, and, if the soft breeze fans your cheek, it shall be my breath; or the cool air cools your throbbing temples, it shall be my spirit passing by.
Sarah, do not mourn me dear; 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, I call God's blessing upon them. O Sarah, I wait for you there! Come to me, and lead thither my children.

- Sullivan

Response by Wayne Tucker made May 21 at 2021 9:31 PM

2021-05-21T21:31:09-04:00

Great article and great read !

Response by SPC Michael Oles SR made May 24 at 2021 1:06 AM

2021-05-24T01:06:53-04:00

Thank you

Response by SFC James Welch made May 24 at 2021 3:46 PM

2021-05-24T15:46:03-04:00

The things this man faced are in many ways the same as we face today. The question of having to defend all we care about at an older age certainly is. At 80 I'm wondering at what point will it be necessary for those of us who believe in our Country and its Constitution, we be called to again, take up arms, as this man has, to defend all we hold dear. We see one Political Party engineer an election by fraudulent ballots, yet no one want's to do an official verification of signatures on the ballot to the voter registration rolls. Now, we can understand why the perpetrating party wouldn't want tp do this but there is no call by the victumized party to do so either. You have to wonder if there is collusion involved between the Party's. The haters of President Trump were not restricted to the Democrats. Many Republicans fought him from day one and refused to back him. There is now two Republican Party's, the Trump Supporters and the Never Trump Republicans. Remember, Members of both parties feed from the same trough of bribes, kick backs and paid Lobbyists who's job it is to pay Elected Officials to vote for a certain bill or introduce a bill that benefits others but not the People who sent them there. Now we see the Communist-Socialist Democrats trying to destroy our political system for their benefit and replace or present system with Socialism. There is a deeply rotten smell in the halls of this congress that can only be changed by force. The question is, who is ready to do it?

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made May 29 at 2021 11:40 AM

2021-05-29T11:40:51-04:00

Amazing Letter! I would like to hear more of them!

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made May 31 at 2021 8:49 AM

2021-05-31T08:49:46-04:00

A wonderful share. I've seen a number of these letters at museums and the never fail to move me.

Response by CSM Thomas Ray made Jun 5 at 2021 8:42 AM

2021-06-05T08:42:28-04:00

This letter would be cancelled by the “woke police”

Response by 1LT Voyle Smith made Jun 11 at 2021 8:40 PM

2021-06-11T20:40:10-04:00

That puts a lump in my throat.

Response by LTC David Brown made Nov 8 at 2021 4:59 AM

2021-11-08T04:59:03-05:00

Great share.