Ah, those wonderful love letters! Don’t we love reading them? I must admit I have an affinity for love letters because of the insights they give us into the past, and the people who lived then.
Love letters are something I’ve been thinking about a lot. Probably because of the time of year–fall always makes me get nostalgic–but also because, as authors, we have to use letters and notes in our writing to “get the message” across that perhaps our characters might not be able to speak aloud.
My hubby is, like many men, not sentimental. He wouldn’t care if I never got him another Valentine’s Day or anniversary card, but they mean a lot to me—so we exchange them every year. I suspect that, through the years past right down to the present, most men didn’t and don’t make flowery love speeches from their hearts, or even write their innermost thoughts and feelings in cards and letters.
One of the most poignant love letters I know of is the famous letter written by Union Army Major Sullivan Ballou, just before the First Battle of Bull Run in 1861 where he died at the age of 32. Married only 6 years, he left behind two small sons and his wife, Sarah. The letter he wrote to Sarah days before he was killed is one that speaks poignantly of his guilt at having to choose between his duty to country and duty to family. Ken Burns used a shortened version of the letter in his series, The Civil War—and its contents are unforgettable, and so powerful it brings tears to my eyes every time I read it.
SULLIVAN BALLOU
In part, it reads:
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 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, and when my last breath escapes me on the battlefield, it will whisper your name.
I had to come up with a love letter, of sorts, for my 2017 novel, Sabrina, part of the 4-book set entitled MAIL-ORDER BRIDES FOR SALE: THE REMINGTON SISTERS. The Remington Sisters set is out of print now, but I’m working on getting SABRINA published as a stand-alone story! My letter was nothing to beautiful as this one penned by a soldier marching to his inevitable death, but a letter that had to convince my Sabrina to leave her wealthy lifestyle in Philadelphia and come West to Indian Territory!
Sabrina and her three older sisters (Lola, written by Celia Yeary; Belle, written by Jacquie Rogers; Lizzy, written by Livia J. Washburn; and Sabrina, my character) have to have mail-order arrangements in order to get out of the fix they’re in with a step-father who plans to sell them to the highest bidder—and they don’t have much time to do it. When Sabrina receives two proposals on the same day, she counts her lucky stars that she’s able to compare the two letters and has a choice between the two men who have written her—something many women of the day did not have.
She’s safely with the man she’s chosen now, Cameron Fraser, but she’s remembering the day she received the letters and why she made the decision she did. Take a look:
She’d answered ads from both Cameron Fraser and David Mason. Ironically, she’d received offers from both men on the same day. That had been a blessing, as she was able to compare their responses immediately.
Mr. Mason had written one page, in sprawling wide script.
“I have need of a wife to help me raise my four children I was left with after my sainted Amelia passed on last year. Your help will be appreciated. And I will do right by you. I hope you are a willing worker and a good cook. Can you make good cornbread? That is a must in our home…”
She’d opened Mr. Mason’s letter first, and tucked it back into the envelope quickly. She’d hoped she’d managed to keep the revulsion from her face when her oldest sister, Lola, had come hurrying through the door. Lola was five years older, and Sabrina could never manage to keep a secret from her, no matter how she tried.
“Well?” Lola had asked, pinning Sabrina with “the look” that Sabrina dreaded.
“I haven’t read them,” Sabrina said defiantly.
“Bree. You know we have to get out of here—the sooner the better. We don’t have much time.”
Here’s the difference, and why she chose Cam. He wanted her for more than making cornbread!
Lola had turned and left the room, closing the door behind her. That’s how Sabrina knew her oldest sister was angry—or hurt. Maybe both.
She’d sighed, and begun to open the letter from Mr. Cameron Fraser. And before she’d read the entire first page of his two-page missive, she knew her decision was made.
Dear Miss Remington,
Thank you for your very kind response to the ad I placed for a bride. I felt out of place to do such a thing, but your answer made me glad I did so, after all.
I know that Indian Territory may seem uncivilized and wild to a well-bred lady such as yourself, who has grown up in the cultured, genteel society of the East, but I assure you, I will do everything in my power to welcome you. In no time at all, I hope you’ll come to think of the Territory as your home.
My family owns a fairly large cattle ranch in Indian Territory. I wanted to assure you that, although the ranch itself is somewhat isolated, we are close enough to Briartown to travel there frequently for supplies.
You will be safe here, Miss Remington, and cherished. You will be well-treated, and I promise you here and now, I will never raise a hand to you.
If it is your will, and I hope it will be, I am willing to be a good and loving father to any children we may have—and a good and loving husband to you.
The sky here is the bluest you’ve ever seen. The water is the freshest and coldest. And I hope you will come to love the open range as much as we Frasers do.
I await your arrival in Ft. Smith. I will meet you there, where we’ll be legally married in a civil ceremony before we travel together to the ranch. Enclosed, you will find a financial draft for your passage and travel expenses.
Sincerely,
Cameron James Fraser
Something about the underlying feeling of the words Cam had written spoke to Sabrina. That he’d taken time to describe—even briefly—how he felt about his ranch made her know that he cared about her feelings—not just about what skills she might bring to the marriage table.
I see it, too, don’t you? He loves the land and his life, and wants her to share it with him. I wonder if women who were forced to take this route looked for these types of things—I know I would. And Sabrina is a bit of an adventurer, so going to Indian Territory would not hold her back. Adventure awaited!
MEANWHILE–here’s a song about this very topic, from one of my favorite musicians, MARK KNOPFLER. This is called Prairie Wedding. Fingers crossed the video will work–it’s an oldie but a goodie, and tells such a touching story in just a few verses.
Have you ever received a love letter that meant the world to you? I’ve had a few in my lifetime, and they’re tucked away in my desk and my heart! If you would like to share, we’d love to hear about your love letters!
I’m giving away a digital copy of my latest release for the GUN FOR HIRE series, LANDON, to one lucky commenter! Be sure to leave a comment today for a chance to win!
A native Oklahoman, I've been influenced by the west all my life. I love to write short stories and novels in the historical western and western romance genres, as well as contemporary romantic suspense! Check my Amazon author page to see my work: http://www.amazon.com/author/cherylpierson
I live in Oklahoma City with my husband of 40 years. I love to hear from readers and other authors--you can contact me here: fabkat_edit@yahoo.com
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My husband used to write nice things in cards. Not so much anymore. ? But, I know he loves me.
Denise, mine did too, more in the beginning than he does now. LOL But after almost 50 years together, I guess he figures I know it all already. LOL My dad never stopped writing beautiful things to my mom in every card he gave her. I have kept some of those. He had the soul of a poet.
I have the letters that my parents wrote to each other. They were written after my father enlisted in the Army. She was 17 and he was 21. I have read part of them and it gave me a new look at their lives.
Ann, when I was cleaning out MY attic (in my attic debacle of a couple of years ago) I was finally forced to go through all the stuff I’d brought from my sister’s storage unit and my parents’ house before their estate sale. What a treasure trove. I found some love letters my parents had written to one another over the years, and they are so precious. Those were some of the keepsakes I would never get rid of. Hubby wanted to throw everything out, but I would not part with those.
My husband always picks the best cards for special occasions and always writes me a note inside. I have kept so many of them over the years. My children have given me unexpected love notes that have brought tears to my eyes and a joy to my heart. I think those little notes of love and appreciation from loved ones are so precious.
Danielle, you are so right. I have kept each and every one of those I’ve received from my kids and husband, as well. They are the dearest treasures.
I received several from my husband many years ago when he had to go out of state for his job. I cherished them all.
Rhonda, my husband had to spend a lot of time traveling for his job with the FAA for many years, and sometimes he’d send me cards unexpectedly that were funny or uplifting and sometimes just those really sweet ones with those cherished notes inside. I kept those, too.
Reading the letter from the Cival War took me right back and I could hear the voice and the music from that Burns documentary.
My mom kept all of my dad’s letters sent during WWII.
PS are you looking forward to the upcoming Burns documentary on the Revolutionary War? I am!
Hi Kate,
YES! I think Ken Burns is just the best and love all of his documentaries, yes even the one on baseball. LOL I think that man can make anything interesting, but when he already has an interesting subject like the Civil War or the Revolutionary War to work with, there is none better to dig deep and find those gems that are not commonly known and present them so seamlessly in those documentaries he does. Like you, when I read that love letter from Sullivan Ballou, I hear the music and the voice–that’s another thing–Ken Burns always finds such perfect people to do the narration and tell the stories in an interesting way that makes it all come alive. And the MUSIC! Oh my goodness! LOL
I know you treasure those letters between your mom and dad written so long ago. I know I sure do with mine. I’m hoping to get them all put into a binder with page protectors so they are at least a little bit protected.
So glad you stopped by today, Kate.
Good morning Cheryl! My mother and Father wrote letters to each other the summer of 1956. Years ago, my mother transferred those letters side by side along with the envelopes, and a picture of their wedding day, on a pillow and gave to me and my brothers one Christmas. We passed those pillows around and we all read them! Even my children enjoyed them since they were older, but knew their Papa(He died in 1991). It was the highlight of our Christmas Day!
I enjoyed your article today and your book! Best wishes to you!
Hello, Tracy! Good to see you! What a fabulous idea your mom had with those keepsake pillows! WOW. I bet that was the best present anyone could ask for that year. Gosh, I wish I had a creative idea like that once in a while. LOL Thanks so much for your kind words, Tracy–I’m looking forward to getting Sabrina back out there as soon as I can. I really loved her story and Cam was the perfect person for her. (OF COURSE!) LOL Thanks for stopping by today!
Cheryl, you brought back memories of annual love messages my husband has left for me each birthday and anniversary. Since he has his own computer, he has been able to create these lasting messages to me for these special days. He is quite poetic and very good with sweet sentiments. They mean the world to me, and I shall cherish them for a very long time. I currently have them in a 3-ring binder, where I can peruse them any time I need a lift.
Oh, gosh, Judy. What a wonderful, wonderful gift to you through the years! I would have done the same with the binder and I’d probably spend a very long time looking at it. LOL I think there are a lot of guys out there that would love to be able to write like your husband does– my dad was able to do that, too, but I don’t think there are many men who are “gifted” in that area because of the way boys are always taught to mask their feelings. I’m glad you got one that can put his thoughts and feeling down exactly as he means to in such a beautiful way for you to keep and treasure forever!
I don’t think I ever had a love letter and I am not sure my parents ever wrote a love letter.
Quilt Lady, mine have sure been few and far between, I’ll tell you that. LOL My parents wrote some beautiful love letters between them–they’d known one another since the age of 5 years old, and had been childhood sweethearts on up through high school, though they did date others. They always came back to each other, and they were married for 62 years, as well as having known one another all that time before. I don’t think they would have known what to do without one another. They passed away 3 weeks apart, and though it was sad, it was also a blessing that they were together again. Thanks for coming by today!
I don’t think I ever received a love letter not even when my first husband was in the military.
Karijean, I think it’s terribly hard for most men to bare their thoughts and feelings and express them in writing, even though they may feel that way. You know how our society believes men and boys should “suck it up” and not show their feelings about much of anything–it’s hard to reverse that and think about your innermost feelings for a person and write it all down. I think no matter how long a couple has been together, the fear for doing it wrong, or writing something that doesn’t come out right, or even downright rejection still haunts guys because of how they are raised to be “manly men”. I think things might have been somewhat different in years gone by, and perhaps there was more room for a man to express himself in ways that were more sentimental, without being ridiculed. I’m so glad you stopped by today!
Good morning, yes I have gotten a few when I was a Senior in HS, the guy I was going out with lived in the same town as I , he was 2 yrs older than I and he would live on Sundays to go work at different areas, he worked for the railroad , so he would be gone for a week. I didn’t save them because we broke it off, or at least I did because he went out on me and that was it. (not entering this ebook giveaway as I am not tech savvy and dont read ebook, but Thank you.) Have a great day and a great week.
Alicia, I don’t blame you! That would have been it for me, too, to find out your steady was cheating. What a disappointment. Like you, I had some love letters from a guy I dated in highschool, but when he got busted for drugs that was it for us, too. :((( Yes, I got rid of his letters when I moved on to someone else and got serious, and it was just as well. Everything happened for the best.
My husband would never write a love letter but he expresses his love in other ways.
That’s lovely, Debra, and it’s all that matters, really. He shows you how he truly feels!
Thus sounds pretty interesting!
I really enjoyed writing Sabrina and Cam’s story. I am hoping I have the time to get it back out there very soon! Thanks for stopping by Bridgette!
Cheryl, I love this topic. People used to write such expressive love letters, didn’t they? I kept one my husband wrote me before he passed. It was out of the ordinary (a lot) for him because he never did that so it meant the world to me and I cherish it. Those Civil War soldiers wrote a lot of letters back home that truly speak from the heart. I look forward to reading Sabrina one day. Good for you! Get it back out there. Sounds like a great story!
Linda,
Jacquie Rogers, Livia Reasoner, and Celia Yeary and I had so much fun working on this and making our stories into this set, but they are truly standalone stories as well. I will definitely get Sabrina back out there–it’s one of my favorite ones!
Yes, those Civil War soldiers were so sincere and sweet in their letters. So touching! I suppose when you are fighting a war and the threat of death is hanging over you, you might write every letter as if it were your last.
I’m so glad you have that letter from your late husband to keep and treasure. I have a few of those, too!
Thanks so much for coming by today! Love you, filly sis! XO
I loved the blog today! Thank you! And yes, I have received love letters — many, in fact.
Thank you, Janice! I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much–mail-order brides are so interesting to me–mainly I wonder what kind of woman would give up a familiar life to embark on such a journey? Adventurous? Desperate? Bored? Must have been many, many reasons.
You are very lucky to have received so many love letters to keep and cherish! Thanks for coming by today!
I loved this article. Yes, I have received love letters.
Barbara, you just made my day! I am so glad you enjoyed this blog so much! As I’ve said before, this is one of my very favorite topics–I’d love to write more mail-order brides in the future! And you’ve got some love letters of your own to keep and cherish–those are so wonderful!
I loved the article and yes I have received a love letter.
Linda, thank you, thank you! It makes me so happy to hear that you all enjoyed this blog post so much, because I love this topic. Thanks for letting me know! Glad you came by today!
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Thanks for stopping by today and reading!
My husband was in the Army when we married and three months later he was sent to Korea. At the time, 1967, wives could not accompany spouses to that area. He was over there 465 days and wrote me a love letter everyday. I wrote him everyday also. That was a very hard time but his letters meant so much to me. I still have some, but not all, of them.
Love the letters in your book, and would love to win a copy. Thank you
Awww, Sarah! WOW–that is a LOT of letters between you two, but you know, I bet it was like having a running conversation since you were writing every day. That is one of the very sweetest things I have ever heard. That’s true devotion to one another, for sure!
Thanks so much for coming by and commenting!
My husband wrote the loveliest love letters when we were dating and I was away at college. I got at least three a week. I still have them all saved.
Oh wow, Nan! Three love letters a week. That is just so, so sweet. My husband and I wrote love letters but I sure don’t have that many. My husband is a songwriter and poet, so he knew how to write some beautiful letters, for sure, but I never got that many, and I did save all of them, like you. Thanks, Nan!
My first husband was sent to Viet Nam shortly after we were married so we wrote a lot. He spoke about his fears, not only for himself, but for me and our unborn baby. We had a bet as to whether it would be a boy or girl – I said boy, he said girl, altho he admitted just be fore our son was born that he was really hoping for a son.
Ginni, that is such a sweet story. I thought my husband was doing the same thing, because I said I hoped for a boy and he kept saying he hoped for a girl. When we had the ultrasound and found out it was a girl, I was watching his face, and he was truly thrilled! It was all he talked about–his baby girl, even before she was born. When it was time to go, he said, “Let’s get you to the hospital so you can have my baby girl Jessica.” He had her named from the time we found out I was pregnant! (Good thing I liked that name!) LOL I think it might have been a different story if he didn’t already have a boy and a girl by his first marriage. She is 39 now and he still believes the sun rises and sets with her. I’m so happy for that!