1. Sullivan Ballou was an American lawyer and politician from Rhode Island, and an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
17 Facts About Sullivan Ballou
1. 2.
Sullivan Ballou is remembered for an eloquent letter he wrote to his wife Sarah a week before he was mortally wounded in the First Battle of Bull Run.
3.
Sullivan Ballou was left behind by retreating Union forces and died a week after the battle.
4.
Sullivan Ballou was admitted to the bar in Rhode Island and began practice in 1853.
5.
Sullivan Ballou was chosen as Clerk of the House, and later as the Speaker.
6.
Sullivan Ballou was a staunch Republican and supporter of Abraham Lincoln.
7.
Sullivan Ballou promptly volunteered, and encouraged others to do the same.
8.
Sullivan Ballou was commissioned a major in the 2nd Rhode Island Infantry Regiment.
9.
Sullivan Ballou was third in command of the Regiment, after Colonel John Slocum and Lieutenant Colonel Frank Wheaton.
10.
Sullivan Ballou was appointed judge advocate of the Rhode Island militia.
11.
Sullivan Ballou was carried off the field, and the remainder of his leg was amputated in a makeshift hospital at Sudley Church, Manassas.
12.
Sullivan Ballou died from his injuries a week later and was buried in Sudley Church's graveyard.
13.
Sullivan Ballou was one of 94 men of the 2nd Rhode Island killed or mortally wounded at Bull Run.
14.
Sullivan Ballou was 32 at the time of his death; his wife Sarah was 24.
15.
The battle area was occupied by Confederate forces, and Sullivan Ballou's body was allegedly exhumed, decapitated, and burned by Confederate troops; his body was never recovered.
16.
Sullivan Ballou later moved to New Jersey to live with her son, William.
17.
Sullivan Ballou died aged 82 in 1917; she is buried next to her husband.