This is the letter that was sent to a mother who lost five sons in the Civil war. The sacrifice of a soldier does not rest entirely on him or her, but is also endured by the soldier's loved ones...
Executive Mansion,
Washington, Nov. 21, 1864.
Dear Madam,
I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle. I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.
Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,
A. Lincoln
Thanks to you, soldiers, present and past for your service to our country. Thank you for your great sacrifice for our freedoms that we enjoy today. Thanks to your family and friends for their endurance. May God bless you all...
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