Massachusetts Governor John A. Andrew wrote to President Lincoln in 1864 and asked him to to write to Mrs. Lydia Bixby, who was reported to have lost five sons in battle during the Civil War. The Boston Evening Transcript published her letter. though it later turned out that not all of Mrs. Bixby's sons were in fact killed.

The letter was used in the film “Saving Private Ryan,” read by General Marshall to his staff to justify his decision to get Private Ryan out of harm's way.

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

Lincoln Project