Jocko reading the last letter from Major Sullivan Ballou, written to his wife leading up to the battle at First Bull Run. Headquarters, Camp Clark Washington, D.C., July 14, 1861 New releases every Monday and Friday.

This shit gets to me man. These old school, revolutionary war/civil war guys really are the reason we have our freedoms today. My best friend was deployed in Afghanistan in the early 2000’s. We talk about it sometimes and he now questions why we were ever there. War is ugly, and not always necessary. I will never take away from my brothers and sisters of the recent wars. But these old school guys had CLEAR reason and purpose for their fight. To all who have fallen for the betterment of this country, thank you.

Something about this keeps bringing me back. It's like I'm addicted to it. The line "my courage does not halt or falter" embodies what I want in my life yet I am ruled by fear. It's the idea that I want my courage to neither halt nor falter that I'm addicted to. I must do it

I remember way back in 1990 when PBS showed the "CIVIL WAR" by Ken Burns. That letter from Sullivan Ballou to his wife Sarah, was read with a sad violin playing in the background. To this day, I still get emotional, yet proud of the poetically beautiful words he wrote.. The true essence of being American: Love of God, love of country, and love of family!! God save America!

Jocko would really be the greatest voice actor I could think of

Love of country never changes no matter what generation we come from.

A warrior who loved and appreciated others. Warriors are not just killers. Many people don't understand that.

This is what is best described as what it is to be Americans, I know that other countries also go to war, or join the military ..but this is what I think of as paying for my freedom .. the cost is so worth it .

Powerful and moving. Thank you

There's just nothing more real than this. Makes so much of my modern life seem so trivial. Makes me want to go work out and lose weight.

I have a framed copy of that letter in my home.

Well done. And rest in peace,Major.🇺🇸

Like many others I first heard Sullivan Ballou’s letter many years ago when watching Ken Burn’s Civil War. It’s impact was heart breaking leading me to tears. It haunts me to this day. I have never, and will never forget his sacrifice. 🇺🇸❤️🕊

This man is such an inspiration and just all around good dude. Love Jocko

Both of my great-great-grandfather's served in the Civil War on my father's side, three were shot and killed on my mother's side. One of them survived over 100 battles in the Civil War for just short of four years service, and was wounded twice during that period. This is a great video, and reminiscent of many letters us veterans have sent home during our service

This is awesome.

If you hear this with Ashokan Farewell being played, it will bring tears to your eyes

Country or nation isn't a government, although the government tries to claim it. It is in the fabric, the people.

Eloquent. More like this if you find them.

Very interesting to see Mr. Wilink reading Major Ballou's letter from before the First Battle of Manassas. It's good to see. He's old enought to have watched the Ken Burns documentary when it aired, and it's a kindness to know that after his military service, he gets to reflect on and share this wonderful story to the younger generations that ask "why?".

That is a very powerful letter... A Warrior until the end. God bless those that paid the ultimate price for America.

Jocko would like the music

This letter and music that goes with it... gives a certain feeling. Like a last grasp of hope in moral, knowing, fully knowing that this will be your last charge or last offense you will do to defend your fellow countrymen’s liberty and rights. For the the nation in was built by or for the People.

Thanks Jocko! Great poetry and love!

That's hard af

The moment was very moving and inspiring and needed no melancholy music or a picture of a woman who was not Sullivans wife,

Beautiful… beautiful

Major Ballou knew he had one foot in life and the other in death. God bless those who persevered to protect the Union. Thank God they prevailed.

“The memories of blissful moments I have spent with you come creeping over me, and hard it is for me to give them up”

'Letter to Sarah' /'Letter of Sullivan Ballou' Sullivan Ballou Major, 2nd Rhode Island Infantry Regiment 2nd Brigade [Burnside], 2nd Division [Hunter /Porter], Army of Northeastern Virginia [McDowell] Killed at age 32, 29 July 1861 at First Bull Run Historical note: The letter may never have been sent. It was discovered in Maj. Ballou's campaign trunk after his death and delivered to his wife, Mrs. Sarah Ballou, by Rhode Island Gov. William Sprague. The governor had taken personal responsibility to retrieve the possessions of his State's fallen and take them to their surviving families.

You have my DEEPEST Respect bro. Defend America til I die for her 🇺🇸

Damn... that brought a tear to my glass eye!

Keep up your vids bro, really good

More like this Jocko💙🙏

This was good

I like the background music, it puts on the right mood but it’s a double edged sword, I feel like it soften the impact of those words

Interesting to hear the actual letter after hearing the song "Dearest Sarah" by Goodnight, Texas which is also haunting.

Thank you for the goosebumps. It's the first video I just saw on your channel. +1 Sub 👍

So power

Fantastic!

history repeats itself, once again it is time to shed the blood of tyrants and patriots to replenish the fount of liberty....... We the Rohn must lead this fight

RIP

Riviting! What an abject mockery our modern government has made of the sacrifices of the great men who gave their lives for this nation.

Wow!

When people talk of a calling this is what it is. This man was ready to lose everything his life, his life with his wife and any relationships he had back home. All beacause he felt pulled to fight for his country. THAT is what people mean when they say its my calling

With respect, my debt was paid in the cross. Paid in full.

For those of us in the South, we called it "First Manassas." Yankee casualties were some 3,000, with 1,750 for the Rebs. Despite the Confederate victory, the was so much confusion on the part of the South, they were unable to effectively pursue the Union forces, who were able to escape. As the North had expected an easy victory, it came as a shock, and led the South into a false sense that they too, would soon win a political victory. 4 bloody years later, that effort came to an end.

Real deal

Powerful

Shakes your bones

New subscriber here…. Keep doing this awesomeness!!!!

Damn.

Watch the Ken Burns reading of this letter, from where it was popularized. Jocko reads it all edgy and depressing, theres a different tone in the reading, almost optimistic.

Good luck finding a guy that will replace this guy, she will have to stay a widow.

Incredible work…. More

Well, I’m crying…….

Wow

This from the Ken Burns doc man straight rippin that skinny white man off...

Can someone please tell which jocko episode is it from? Help a brother out please. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

What is the audio used? It is phenomenally picked

What is the music genre in the background?

Can we get the name of the background music?

The music in this is really great. Anyone know what it is?

Does anyone know the song

What number podcast is this

Who is that girl ? just curious

What's the song/music?

Eh, such a solemn read with the babe staring with that "come hither" look just ruins it for me.

Whats the name of the background sound?

A couple of things here...I love our modern young fighting men, but damn, let's see them write a letter like this. I mean, I'd bang the guy if he wrote me a letter like that. Lastly, how on Earth did Team Jocko find this rare video, which I didn't even know was a thing in the early 1860's, of Sarah herself, sensually murdering that early camcorder with pinpoint accurate F-me eye daggers?? No wonder Sullivan was so passionate about his wife Sarah, she was a g'damn smoke show of the highest order.

As awesome as this is.....this is the only other thing that comes to mind "I spent 33 years and four months in active military service and during that period I spent most of my time as a high class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism. I helped make Mexico and especially Tampico safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street. I helped purify Nicaragua for the International Banking House of Brown Brothers in 1902-1912. I brought light to the Dominican Republic for the American sugar interests in 1916. I helped make Honduras right for the American fruit companies in 1903. In China in 1927 I helped see to it that Standard Oil went on its way unmolested. Looking back on it, I might have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts. I operated on three continents.” Smedly D. Butler

What's the track called?

I don't want people to hurt but the mood and division in this country will make it so. Many with no thought of morals, honor or dignity will cross a line... Setting fire to the house we all live in. Sons and daughters, not sapped of courage thru media addiction, false teachings and immorality will be given hard choices soon. I wish I was allowed to rest but I know the storm in coming. I've lost faith in all political & military leadership, those who are responsible for death and debt, but never my fellow countrymen. -EmmanuelLC

Is that her daughter?? That girl looks a lot like him

Never use the word” very”.

My views have changed. I’m not going to give my life up for a bunch of human beings that don’t strive to do and be better everyday, like I do. Get fu-..

Jocko, I pray that you and Sarah have many of days and nights together, still. Keep falling in love: together.

Man, he’s great but he sucked all the romance right out of that.

OK fun time: how many guys EVER said this going into Afghanistan?

Sigma Male Grindset

Blue pill.. week layter after his dead. He's wife found another boy

Wow