Pen and Power: Iconic Letters That Made History Before The Digital Age

2. Sullivan Ballou’s Letter to His Wife

Just days before the First Battle of Bull Run, Union officer Sullivan Ballou wrote a poignant letter to his wife, Sarah. Filled with love, hope, and foreboding, the letter captures the deep personal sacrifices of war. Ballou’s words—”If I do not return, my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you”—continue to echo through American culture. Frequently cited and read aloud, the letter remains a moving reminder of devotion and loss.