The Sullivan Ballou Letter (Ken Burns' Civil War) - Favorite Historic TV/Movie Scenes #6

[@ryantannar5301]

It's actually because of the Civil War that the US started to deliver mail to homes. The postmaster general of the time came to realize that so many people were going to the post office to get their mail only to burst into tears when they received news that a loved one died. He decided that this was something people needed to be able to do in private, and thus the first home delivery of mail in the US happened on the same day as the start of the battle of Gettysburg.

[@TheSDB13]

Ashokan Farewell, still one of the most beautiful songs ever written

[@toddsalvati5694]

Agreed.

[@TheTsar1918]

And it isn't even a Civil War song. It just fits.

[@williemoon7522]

@@TheTsar1918 . the notes were there .. they just were`nt put together till later .

[@isthisdom]

I will ALWAYS hold true to my sentiment that the lowly letters from soldiers serving in the American Civil War are still some of the most eloquent and beautiful uses of the English language i have ever heard, or read.

[@panjandrum.conundrum]

Not lowly in this case. Ballou was a lawyer and politician.

[@MBustos828]

I teach American history and I always end my unit building up to the Civil War with this letter. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten through it without getting choked up. A truly wonderful letter.

[@steampunkedbull]

This documentary changed my life too. I was always a history buff, but this documentary really made me interested in the Civil War and to this day remains my most interested time of American history.

[@kathygreen6283]

I am a 70 year old Canadian who has been obsessed with the Civil War since around 1966. We found out that my Mother's is related to Robert E Lee thru marriage. I've been to many battle sites, my favorite being Gettysburg. Whenever in Charleston we always go to Fort Sumter. I study and read so many perspectives on the" Great Disturbance "

[@Chickendinner27-c9t]

The Ashokan Farewell guitar solo right when he said "Never forget how much I loved you." 4:37 is so powerful.

[@earsonlyaudio887]

I am related to him. My maternal grandfather was a Ballou and my family coming from New Hampshire, when I saw this doc in high school, I wondered if that were so, then a few years ago, my cousin was doing some research on our family background and came across this relation. Unfortunately, I don't recall exactly what the relation is, but it's great to have a hero like this, with his amazing writing preserved and showcased in my family tree.

[@crusader5013]

Oh wow, that’s amazing.

[@frankenz66]

Depending upon how fast one's generations turned on would be able to keep track. For me, it was just my Great Grandfather's older brothers who were involved with it. That close.

[@JonScott-fo2yn]

All of humanity is related through Australopithecus afarensis so ur related to the Rebs who killed him and mutaleted his corpse to just more distantly🏺🏺🏺

[@methodicalfabricator6617]

Hey, we're related! Ballou here and yes, in the genealogy by Shawn 😊

[@camballou3350]

Howdy cousin!

[@lindanolan1447]

His words never fails to bring me to tears.

[@yesiamawildflower]

It is what started my love for the civil war. I for real cried when Shelby Foote passed.

[@lawrenceleverton7426]

Some were just meant to be great story tellers. Shelbe was one of the best. Yes... He will be missed.

[@bennickell8477]

If it makes you feel better, Ken Burns made him very rich. Im sure that made his later years some of the best of his life. Also he is immortalized in the documentary and his own books.

[@zackmontgomery5223]

❤

[@kents.2866]

My 6th great grandpa, Elijah Meadows Siers, was with Co. E. 13Th VA (Now WV) Cavalry. Captured and sent to Johnsons Island by Sandusky OH.

[@nathaneady9491]

I swear no matter how many times I rewind to 3:44 I get insane chills. The way he says Sarah and then what he wrote after is just fantastic. So sad and powerful.

[@JoelMangrum]

No matter how many times I hear this it still hits just as hard.

[@drexmartell9803]

War strips some of the most beautiful aspects of humanity from us... sometimes quite literally. This man had a way with words, and the heart and soul of a true patriot. Thank you for sharing this.

[@scottscottsdale7868]

The most important and beautiful letter ever written by a husband to his wife. Make me cry every time.

[@NancyPollyCy]

I know this is pretty late, but I can't help but respond. I used to read this to my freshman International Relations class when we talked about nationalism. I clearly remember the time I finished, and my 60-odd cynical college students sat silent and motionless, so caught up in Ballou's words that the motion detectors in the classroom shut off the lights. A fitting tribute to the power of his words and the universality of the feelings he expressed through them.

[@comusrules1244]

Every time I visit a civil war cemetery, that’s when reality strikes. These are no longer history subjects but real people. It always moves me to see those graves. P..S. I have watched this Ken Burns documentary many many times. Never get tired of it.

[@endergamer7483]

I think what’s so crushing about that scene was how bluntly David McCullough (the narrator) stated that Sullivan Ballou died during that battle. After hearing a man pour his heart out to his wife through this letter, he just died and that was it.

[@SM6184-y3f]

Shows how brutal this war really was.

[@brucer2152]

One of the most intense parts of any documentary. Simply bone chilling.

[@stevegrooms1142]

While my daughter and I have always been close, the Burns Civil War series aired when she was about 13 or 14. It became a special bonding event for the two of us and will always be a shared experience we treasure.

[@ruthiemay423]

I watched Ken Burns' Civil War miniseries countless times. Also, Glory, Gettysburg, and Gods & Generals countless times as well. That is our history. Input myself in their place, as heartbreaking as that sounds. Such a legacy, what we did to one another. 😢😢😢 Thank you for sharing this.

[@connorroberts7335]

There is a song by goodnight Texas called dearest Sarah that is about this letter. I love the song!

[@connorroberts7335]

Not saying make a video about it just give it a listen.

[@tromig9837]

just went and listened. wow. captures what I think is the tone and mood of the letter. thanks for sharing!

[@connorroberts7335]

@@tromig9837 give “lone pine hill” by Justin Earle a listen too it’s pretty good.

[@Nebulasecura]

Ken burns is the best documentary of the civil war! I love it’s stance on the whole series of events both leading up to it and the war itself

[@paoloadam]

Wow, that was surprisingly touching and very interesting, especially from the standpoint of a foreigner who knows little about U.S. history, thank you for sharing this beautiful letter with us!

[@ellisdeakin2262]

Mate your one of my favourite KZbin I came across you randomly and now I can’t stop watching you your content is always new and now your one of my top 3 youtubers

[@VloggingThroughHistory]

Thanks Ellis and welcome!

[@richieeskew4145]

Amazing story. Such amazing expression of love and patriotism put to pen and paper. Its this kind of stuff that we have lost in todays modern society. Also makes me think of the line in National Treasure when Ben Gates is reciting the declaration and the other character said "no one talks that way anymore." Then he says " no but they think that way." Or something close to that. I wish we still spoke and wrote stuff like this still. Ken Burns Civil War is one of the greatest works of media art of the last century. The editing is masterful. All the amazing content like the Sullivan Ballou letter, the music, the old photos, the excellent narration and amazing voice acting. It is life changing and to be treasured and never forgotten.

[@stephenelberfeld8175]

These tragedies are sometimes the beginning of something as well as the end. The War of 1812 had an element of European warfare mixed with Native American (Indian) fighting. The families of soldiers had to flee for their lives from the Indian allies as my fourth great grandmother, Frederica Jenks Grant did when her father John Grant, was killed in the battle of Queenston Hieghts. She later resettled on or near the Mohawk Reservation where her life was saved by Chief Loft of the Mohawks. She learn much about caring for wounds, and later helped the chief recover from a knife fight. Her home served as a treatment center for escaped slaves, and her son became a surgeon and prominent abolitionist, Alexander Milton Ross. In this case the fight for respect and equal treatment was earned through direct experience.

[@alexamerling79]

Always brings me to tears.

[@EricAKATheBelgianGuy]

Two stories related to this clip: 1. We had the soundtrack to the film when I was a kid. I couldn't listen to the instrumental "Shenandoah" for a long time because it was too heavy. As I got older, and became able to understand these things better, it became one of my favorite tracks. Hearing this one as the last track on the album always stuck with me. 2. I watched the documentary on my own during my junior year of college, one episode at a time. As it turned out, the following year, I took a class, and the professor showed this clip. I remember being one of the few people that understood the reference. Not anything big, story-wise, but still somewhat of a connection there.

[@connorroberts7335]

Iv been waiting for this. I recommend checking out a life of a soldier in Stalingrad by the armchair historian. It’s a real diary of a German soldier fighting in Stalingrad and like this letter it puts a face to what normally is just numbers.

[@therealcollin1201]

Yes please

[@hayleyf9438]

This made me feel even more single than I already am but also I’m almost crying

[@General-History101]

this literally made me cry, idk why but it rlly tugs at my heart strings

[@donmcneil8285]

This documentary should be required viewing in schools in my humble opinion

[@zendoargos4988]

Ken Burns' Civil War was and still is one of my favorite films/TV shows. The voiceover work by so many talented people brought the stories of people that were long dead to life. When asked to name a film that I've seen at least 10 times Ken Burns' Civil War is always on my list. Despite being something like 10 hours long, I have watched it over and over.

[@lanemeyer9350]

He’s buried in Swan Point Cemetery in Providence, RI. Ambrose Burnside, Col John Slocum (2nd Rhode Island) and the famous horror author HP Lovecraft are all buried there

[@stanleyrosella1712]

Thanks a lot for adding this info on the aftermath on the Ballou story. It was some kind of a closure. Saw this some 25 years ago and that ending of the first part made me cry (Heck a grown man father of two by then). Still makes me cry when hearing it. This series is among the best ever and seen it several times over the years. The music "Ashokan Farewell" is so nice and fitting to this part and even told my children that is the piece I like to have played when I am put in the ground. The way they wrote letters in those days are so amazing. An art I'm sure is lost in these days of Internet,emails and text messages. So sad.

[@winterfell_forever]

Ken Burns' documentary is full of these little gems, and by including these stories what it does is filling the narrative with humanity, with both the awful and the compasion, but mainly it shifts the axis of the story off the "sanitised" or "neutral" narrative that only speaks about tactics, troop size or movement, that prevail in most mediocre documentaries about war.

[@Cyberlucy]

This documentary has always been special to me too. It was the first time that I found that learning history didn't have to be dry or boring and that the stories of our ancestors were just as interesting and engaging as people who were well known.

[@katekelly4502]

Such beautiful words. The Burns documentary sparked my interest too.

[@billlaconte9711]

The Ken Burns series was on Public broadcasting and was released at a time when Civil War re-enacting was gaining popularity. It single handledly brought hundreds if not thousands of new folks into re-enacting. Myself among them.

[@mikakoskimies36]

I just finished re-watching the Civil War for the umpteenth time and saw this upload in my subscriptions immediately after. I still maintain that Burns' Civil War is the best documentary series, or possibly any series ever made.

[@michelleforbes7823]

This makes me cry everytime. Thank you for sharing.

[@bstache6103]

This is my great great great great grandpa!! The Ballou’s are going strong in Kentucky!! Awesome story.

[@jacquelinecallejas1390]

Does that mean his "boys" lived to grew up to marry? If so I'm glad. If he was from Rhode Island, how are the Ballou's in Kentucky since Kentucky was Confederate, viewed? This man has a way with words. I was particularly impressed with the part about how when I am dead when you feel the wind touch your cheek it is me etc. That was a poet's soul. "He lived about a week before he was killed." That doesn't sound like he died from infection from surgery. Was he executed or did he mean died not killed?

[@edkight6447]

This story was engrained in me when I first read about it and then the documentary really brought it to life. I had a difficult time reading this story to my family years ago. My daughter learned to play Ashoken Farewell on violin for me. It instantly stirred those emotions back again. Powerful stuff.

[@marknix8962]

That was a great documentary. Put the civil war in a lot of different perspectives. What you said at the end was spot on.

[@subzero9113]

Me and You both ! I was about the same age Myself and that Summer My Parent decided to Drive to Civil War Battle Fields. We saw All of the Battle grounds in Tennessee Shiloh , Chattanooga, Chickamauga nd the next Summer Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley, Awesome stuff walking Battlefields is def a History Buffs Mecca.

[@Synthetic-Rabbit]

I've watched this doc-series so many times and similar to you, it sparked my interest in the American Civil War. I put this series on most night before bed to wind down and get sleepy.

[@ohl0gu371]

I’m first, love to see it!! Wow I feel so sad now and it’s only the morning, thanks a lot 😞

[@APersonOnYouTubeX]

Yep

[@APersonOnYouTubeX]

Congrats, usually I will go all aggro, but I love history

[@ohl0gu371]

@@APersonOnKZbinX I update my comment, I’m so sad now.

[@APersonOnYouTubeX]

God I love you history guy

[@AmericanImperium2112]

Ah The Negotiator General Kenobi, You are a Bold One.

[@connorroberts7335]

It’s a good letter to renew my patriotism

[@tallcity1735]

I learned of you through UGCW and I am thankful I did. Great stuff man.

[@bsye3752]

Great video, very beautiful and tragic story. I’d love to see a video about Newt Knight, the confederate who later rebelled against the confederacy. There is a great movie called Free State of Jones staring Mathew McConaughey. I’m sure you’ve seen it given your love for studying the Civil War, but seeing a video on Knight or maybe even the movie would be awesome.

[@VloggingThroughHistory]

I will definitely do something on his story at some point. The movie was awesome and horrifying at the same time. Highly recommend for anyone who hasn’t seen it.

[@jackmessick2869]

My love if history started with my father being a 5th grade American History teacher, my older brother majoring in history, and the "Golden Book History of the United States", a 12 volume set for children illustrated by Alton Tobey. For the ACW, it was the book "Gettysburg: The Long Encampment."

[@DavidRodriguez-zo1zk]

A little late to comment on this post but this in my opinion is the single most hauntingly beautiful piece of writing I’ve ever heard, even more haunting, the actor who read this, Paul Roebling, had lost his wife a few years before to cancer and a couple years after would tragically take his own life, it makes the reading all the more haunting and beautiful

[@scoosethom8441]

My love for you is deathless,,,wow what a line

[@davelips]

Loyalty to the end, for both Man and Wife. This is an inspiring story for sure.

[@jamesrichardson3322]

How beautiful his letter was to his wife, and I cried when they said he was killed a week later at First Bull Run.

[@WyomingTraveler]

A sad ending ending, but only one 750,000. I had a g-g grandfather die in a Union prison and a g-grandfather who brother was kill at his side. Ballou’s letter is a good illustration of why men fight.

[@daddymatty5869]

Maybe my favorite documentary of all time. I'm a big fan of " the West" as well. Enjoy your trip down here. Go Crew!

[@VloggingThroughHistory]

the West was awesome!

[@dougcorcoran5455]

Good video. I have always thought Ken Burns Civil War was one if the best things I have ever seen on television. Thanks for adding a little more to the story, well done.

[@zackmontgomery5223]

This documentary instilled in me my love of history

[@mikey29211]

This letter was only paraphrased it goes on a lot longer but it's still beautiful

[@VloggingThroughHistory]

It isn’t paraphrased. The words used in the video are the words he used. They just didn’t quote every word of the letter.

[@mikey29211]

That's what I meant

[@ChuckJansenII]

Sullivan Ballou's letter to his wife Martha is the most romantic letter of all time. If this does not bring a tear to one's eye then one hath no humanity. My love of history is steeped in CBS Air Power with Walter Cronkite. This lead me to read a lot of historical books about World War II starting in maybe 2nd grade. Ken Burns: The Civil War renewed my interest in the American War of Southern Insurrection and Rebellion. I think Ken Burns: The Civil War is the best documentary ever filmed. What is your opinion about which of the following is the greatest WWII documentary series? - CBS Air Power - World At War - Victory at Sea - Apocalypses: The Second World War - World War II In Color - Other

[@marksterlson]

a very fine doco as one comes to expect from Ken Burns, and a haunting piece of music.

[@mikek2971]

If you don't cry, you're as made from stone as Jackson.

[@Histography1453]

I am going to Fredericksburg, Texas tomarow they have a lot of museums in Fredericksburg.

[@noname-bk7bc]

That documentary was the same for me. I watch the series once a year

[@abinormal8584]

Suvillan Ballou writes so beautifully!!!!

[@jondickinson1056]

This was great...wonderful job. Thank you.

[@ethansherman9574]

I don't cry easy, but the first time I heard this letter I wept

[@bobanpen1]

Ashoken is the most haunting melody I have ever heard.

[@williemoon7522]

my mothers grandfather fought in that war ,, he was a prisoner in Chattanooga for most of the war ,, he moved to Texas in 1866 and was killed by a rattlesnake bite .

[@BurnedSpace]

emotional

[@samuelcameron8215]

Every ounce of his soul into a piece paper

[@loverofbeers]

Subscribed. Thank you.

[@danwoodliefphotography871]

I collect Civil War photographs. One of my favorites is soldiers with wives or other family, probably inspired by this part of Burn's series.

[@olivierroy5540]

The line at the end always gets me

[@chillman1231]

I was always hoping you’d react to this letter! What an amazing documentary.

[@josephososkie3029]

When you listen it sets the bar high for manhood. Guys hunger for this direction.

[@meisteckhart]

The have the track from this scene on the soundtrack for the documentary series as well. I was just listening to it on vacation a few weeks ago. Columbus is my neck of the woods. Enjoy your visit and the Crew.

[@emilynelson5985]

I would love to see more Ken Burns reactions.

[@KibuFox]

The sad thing is... you know full well that on both sides of the Civil War, and hell any war, a letter like this was written, and never sent.

[@kurtbarks6270]

As a deployed infantry soldier I can tell you that these letters exist and are usually stowed in duffel bags and not really mentioned. Waiting for combat is gut wrenching. You’ll eventually do anything to externalize the fear if you don’t keep busy. Writing a death letter might be one way to pass a long flight or days in a fighting position. It is what it is. He wrote a nice letter. I wrote my ridiculous one to my mom. I’m glad she never got to read that stupid thing.

[@VloggingThroughHistory]

I’m glad she never had to read your letter. Thank you for everything you went through in our behalf.

[@camballou3350]

My I don’t know how many times great grandfather!

[@ChesterGlover]

People don’t write like that anymore. God I love this letter.

[@reelfan-16]

I beleive this chapter was called Honorable Manhood. I would like The Ashokan Farewell played at my funeral. I love it so. This letter and story is so tragic and haunting...at about 5:06 through the end, makes me think of all my love ones that have gone on before. They are never really gone. Thank you for this! I have watched the Civil War by Ken Burns many times, and it never ages. One question, aren't Bull Run and Manasses. the same thing. Why are they called differently,? Is it the same as Northerners calling it "The Civil War" and Southerners calling it The war of Northern aggression? Thanks again. Love Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, as well as David McCullough and Peter Coyote. I pretty much love everything Ken Burns does.

[@hymmj147]

Yes, the sides called it differently

[@jawanalatimer7781]

my love for you is deathless .....MIC DROP

[@Giovanni-33]

I have used this letter several times as fuel to push back against the modern view of history, that claims men have always oppressed women. Both my grandfathers were born in the late 1800's and they worshiped my grandmothers. Men and women have always worked in harmony to build a life for themselves and their families. I am sick of the pernicious and ignorant assertions of an ancient male dominated patriarchy. Modern society accepts these patriarchy claims without question. Obviously, there were bad men who abused their wives and families. But I think that percentage is higher now than in the past. Our ancestors lived hard and short lives, so that we, their descendants, could live the most luxurious lives humanity has ever enjoyed. Yet we blame them for everything wrong with modern society. This letter exemplifies the love and devotion men had for women, and still do today. Chivalry is not dead, despite the claims of modern feminism.

[@FBI-sj1hn]

Ayyy I'm early! :D anybody else early? (btw love the history teaching!)

[@siflex]

OK I teared up

[@mk14m0]

One of every 40 Americans died in the Civil War. Since only men fought, the rate was about one in twenty men. Since only military aged men fought (leaving out the very young and the very old) the rate of death was about one in ten military-aged men. For every death, there was, very roughly, one man permanently disabled by wounds (often lost limbs) which means that one in five American men of military age were killed or crippled by that war. But the reality was even worse, because not every man of military age served, so the rate of death and disablement was even higher among those who did serve: about 1 in 4. No other war that America has been involved in so far has ever come close to these numbers and proportions. Sullivan Ballou fell in good company.

[@dr.trauts3921]

Hey, I absolutely love your videos. And this documentary I found very inspiring myself, eventually leading me to take a degree in history haha. Do you think you could perhaps do videos looking at Grants Overland Campaign? Again, great vids man. keep it up :D

[@malachitehawk6337]

Have you ever played the game series Civilization? Basically you pick a real historic empire, build it up from the ancient era, progress through eras, and raise armies. You should livestream a game where you make comments on running empires/ their politics, war strategies, talk about the different empires you encounter.

[@VloggingThroughHistory]

I’ve been playing civ since the original came out. But I do all of that on my gaming channel

[@sandybarnes887]

I played Civ II decades ago. Discovering the settler trick was amazing

[@crissy214]

If your not crying, You have no sole

[@Lornharding]

can't add anything to that... your face, while reading, expressed everything i wanted to say and more.

[@thefatjigsawmain7938]

When you will publish another episode of turk history I am curiouz about them

[@toddsalvati5694]

I haven't watched the series in a few years, it seems time to do so

[@bertmustin]

You knew Sullivan wasn't going to make it.

[@Jonnydeerhunter]

Oh hey, William Sprague IV, who you mentioned, is one of my distant Cousins. Him and I share a great Grandfather my 10th, John Sprague, who died fighting hostile natives defending the colony of Rhode Island in 1676. He was the first Sprague born in the Colonies, 1630, and the son of Francis Sprague who arrived in the Americas in 1623 on the Good Ship Anne and lived in Massachusetts all of his life. **Edit** based on my sources, he may have been a descendant of an illegitimate line of The aforementioned John Sprague. Possibly one of his last of a long line of Sins committed in his life time.

[@CodyChepa88]

Not sure if you have a video talking about yourself and your background but would love a video to know more about you for the new subscribers like myself . thanks for doing what you do and keep up the good work 💪

[@abinormal8584]

My dad made a mixed cd for my mom and put this letter on it.