Wartime Letters Home: Now, I Know

2021-04-15T09:31:53-04:00

There's no argument that the historiography of war can best be studied through those who lived it. But to interview a soldier even months post-war runs the risk of slightly faded memories and lessened emotions.

What if there were a way to talk to soldiers from years, decades, and even centuries ago, enabling us to hear their thoughts on their respective war, straight from the front lines. How do we go back in time and hear from them with the raw emotions of the moment?

We do this through the letters written from an encampment, foxholes, and bedrolls.

I'm a pretty curious person; so many things fascinate me but reading letters from wartime is right up there in the top ten. This fascination with letters became apparent when I discovered a treasure trove of correspondence from the Vietnam War in my mother's attic. Although I didn't know it at the time of discovery, these letters and the stories within would change my life's direction. After publishing a book about my mother's writing campaign during the Vietnam War, I immersed myself in letters from wartime. I have since partnered with Barbara Harrison from Behind the Lines podcast and Andy Carroll from The Center for American Wartime Letters (https://rly.pt/2Q5unsX). Over the past two decades, Andy has collected over 150,000 letters from wars dating back to the Revolutionary War. We will work together to bring you some of the most fascinating letters written from the hearts of our nation's bravest men and women.

We thought it would be fitting to kick off this column with a response written to a friend back in the States, who had written how he was "envious" that he, the soldier, was living history. Arguably, this is one of the single greatest war letters ever written, a literary anthem for all veterans. This soldier's name is Major Oscar Mitchell, and he wrote this letter exactly 77 years ago today.

April 15, 1944

Dear Syl,

I received your letter. You say that you wish you were over here.

Although most people think that they are War Conscious— are they really?— so far removed from the far-flung battle fronts, how can they be?

You are really War Conscious when you see the airplanes, in formation, early in the morning, flying to meet their rendezvous— and see this same formation returning in the evenings. But the number is not the same.

Twelve went out, nine returned.

You stand there, looking up, watching them fly into the distance, into the horizon, then disappear.

You wonder— what really did happen? Those who went down in flames, do they die as you see them in the movies? I don’t think so.

Not with a smile on their lips and a happy gleam in their eyes, but rather painfully and regretfully with the knowledge that— this is it.

You’d have to see the wounded streaming back from the front after a battle, above all, to see the light go out of men’s eyes.

Young men shaking from nervous exhaustion. Strong men they are, or were, who will not have the chance, ever, to live normal lives.

People may think they know what War is like. Their knowledge is facts of the mind.

Mine, is the war-torn body, scared to soul’s depth.

When I was in the States, War was far away, unreal. I had read, I had seen pictures… but now I know.

~Oscar

Susan P. Hunter
Author, “77 Letters, Operation Morale Booster: Vietnam”
Co-Producer/Director/Writer, “Every Time the Wind Blew” Documentary

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 Lt Col Charlie Brown made Apr 15 at 2021 9:36 AM

2021-04-15T09:36:21-04:00

So many Americans who went over to England to help with the fight got a real taste of it as the Germans bombed the UK

Response by Wayne Soares made Apr 15 at 2021 9:48 AM

2021-04-15T09:48:41-04:00

Awesome! Congratulations Susan!

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Apr 15 at 2021 10:12 AM

2021-04-15T10:12:23-04:00

Excellent history share Ms Susan Hunter , thank you for the great share.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 15 at 2021 12:06 PM

2021-04-15T12:06:45-04:00

That is a very well written poignant letter.

I must share this letter. It is by far the most eloquent war letter i have read in regards to eternal love, duty, sacrifice, and losing the future with his family. The poetic prose is exquisite and quite moving.

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

Major Sullivan Ballou died a few days after writing the letter.

Response by Wayne Tucker made Apr 15 at 2021 7:25 PM

2021-04-15T19:25:03-04:00

Great blog
Very well written!

Response by PO1 Steve Ditto made Apr 29 at 2021 1:52 PM

2021-04-29T13:52:04-04:00

Thank you for the history.

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Jun 1 at 2021 9:33 AM

2021-06-01T09:33:41-04:00

Such a short conversation and yet a very poignant one between a veteran and his family.
I remember a program years ago back in 1987, called Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam. These were letter read by actors and actresses while real footage played showing a Napalm Strike Danger Close or a firefight in broad daylight. Being wounded and waiting for your own medi-vac while you hope your buddy lying beside you makes it too. Battlefield promises to notify a soldiers dad or mom to tell them he loves them and he was a good soldier. These stories need to be shared. Maybe if more of them had been shared, our law-makers would leave the troop decisions to the troop commanders and not some grandstanding politician. I think this was a great share Susan Hunter. I enjoyed the letter from "Oscar to Syl" and your intro explaining the how and why you got started with this project.