Executive mansion, Washington, Nov. 21, 1864 Mrs. Bixby, Boston, Massachusetts, Dear Madam, I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General (陆军副官) 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 words of mine which should attempt to beguile (转移注意) you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering to 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 (缓解) the anguish of your bereavement (丧亲) , 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, Abraham Lincoln What kind of war did the mother’s sons fight according to the letter It must be the ______ War.