When Words Were the Only Gifts They Could Send

 By Kimberly Grist

When Words Were the Only Gifts They Could Send

Each year on Veterans Day, we honor the brave men and women who have served our nation, safeguarding our freedom.. Their courage and sacrifices have shaped our history. In quieter moments, primarily through their heartfelt words, their true humanity shines. 

Long before the invention of telephones, email, texts, and even the telegraph, writing letters was a vital means of staying connected with loved ones during wartime. Sweethearts sent heartfelt messages that showed courage, promised loyalty, and included prayers for each other's safety. These letters were more than just words; they were lifelines full of hope and devotion, providing comfort and connection during uncertain times.

Letters of Love and Longing

This post will focus on the 1860s, during the Civil War, when sweethearts, newlyweds, and families found solace in heartfelt letters that crossed battle lines and bridged months of separation.

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Facts from the Front: 

Soldiers poured their hearts into letters that captured a profound sense of homesickness, along with moments of humor, friendship, and unwavering faith. These heartfelt messages remind us of the human spirit's resilience. Here are a few cherished excerpts taken from real letters written between 1861 and 1865:

“I cannot tell you how often I think of you… When I close my eyes, I can almost see you by the hearth, your hands folded in prayer for me. If the Lord wills, I will come home to you before another Christmas passes.”

— From a Union soldier to his fiancée, December 1863

One of the most famous letters of love came from Major Sullivan Ballou to his beloved Sarah in 1861:

“If I do not return, my dear Sarah, never forget how much I loved you, nor that when my last breath escapes me on the battlefield, it will whisper your name.”
— Major Sullivan Ballou, Union Army, July 1861

Postage and Delivery: 

Civil War soldiers were prolific letter writers. Some camps sent out hundreds every day!

• Postage cost 3 cents, but “Soldier’s Letters” could be mailed unpaid and stamped “Due 3 Cents” so their families could pay upon receipt.
• Delivery was surprisingly fast—two to four days from Virginia to New York!
• Many soldiers joked that the mail wagon was “as welcome as a barrel of biscuits.”

Letter to Mrs. Nancy McCoy from her son, Private Isaac McCoy of Co. A, 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment, postmarked Feb. 2, 1863. Image courtesy of Library of Congress

Camp Pets and Mascots:

Animals made life in camp brighter. Regiments adopted dogs, cats, raccoons, pigs, and even a bear cub named Old Ephraim. One company’s rooster faithfully crowed at roll call every morning, bringing a touch of home to the front lines.

Examples from history:

• The 8th Wisconsin Regiment—known as “The Eagle Regiment”—kept a famous mascot named Old Abe, a live bald eagle who inspired countless other regimental pets and mascots.
• The 3rd New Hampshire Infantry kept a rooster mascot that crowed at roll call, as mentioned in letters and regimental notes.
• In “The Citizen-Soldier; or, Memoirs of a Volunteer” (John Beatty, 1879), a Union officer humorously described “a rooster that thinks himself in command.”

 Mice were frequent visitors, prompting one soldier to write, “They pay no mind to rank and will eat a general’s crumbs as quick as mine.”

Music, Games, and Pastimes:

When not marching or writing letters, soldiers passed the time with fiddles, harmonicas, and makeshift banjos. Favorite tunes included “Home Sweet Home,” “The Girl I Left Behind Me,” and “Just Before the Battle, Mother.”

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Music was more than entertainment—it was a lifeline to home. Yet some songs stirred such deep emotion that officers feared they might weaken morale. One such ballad was so mournful and beloved that it was banned in several camps for making men too homesick to fight.

Public Domain image courtesy of Duke University Libraries, Historic American Sheet Music Collection.

Written in 1857 by Rev. Henry D.L. Webster and composer Joseph Philbrick Webster, the song “Lorena” was said to induce such homesickness among soldiers that commanding officers occasionally forbade it from being sung around campfires. Letters and journals from both Union and Confederate soldiers mention the song’s haunting melody and sentimental power.

A Grateful Nation Remembers

The courage shown by our veterans extended beyond the battlefield; it was echoed in every heartfelt letter they wrote, every silent prayer they whispered, and every moment of longing experienced by their families. Freedom was not only carried by the soldiers’ bravery but also sustained by the deep faith and love of those who believed in their safe return.

Thank you to all veterans, past and present. Your bravery keeps us safe, and your sacrifices show us that love and faith are the most significant victories.

For those who cherish stories of love, hope, and unexpected grace, A Recluse for Christmas offers a reminder that the bravest journeys often begin with a leap of faith.

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Fans of historical romance set in the late 19th and early 20th centuries will enjoy stories that combine history, Humor, and Romance, with an emphasis on Faith, Friends, and Good Clean Fun.