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December 24th , 1863
This morning battalion guard mounting began for the three batteries.
It is Christmas Eve. I am sitting in my little cabin and my thoughts
carry me away to Helena where I see my good wife before the hearth
with three children around her; the eldest a girl standing and looking
earnestly into her mother’s face; the second a boy five years old,sitting
in a small chair looking into the fire; and the youngest a girl about four,
leaning on her mother’s lap--all listening attentively to what their
intelligent mother is relating in regard to the visits of Santa Claus.
having visited them on former Christmas Eves with presents of toys,
their curiosity is at its height to know if he will come tonight and fill
their stockings. Ah, will not these little innocents be disappointed? Their
father has not seen them for twenty months, and is now far away battling
for home and liberty, and has no means by which he can convey them toys
or money to purchase them. Whether their mother has the means to spare in
procuring Christmas presents for them is unknown to me, but I pray heaven
to provide her with the necessaries of life, and to bless and cheer the young
and innocent hearts of my children during the Christmas holidays. Happy
Christmas to my wife and children!
From The Campaign Diaries of Thomas J. Kay, CSA and Robert J. Campbell
edited by Wirt Armistead Cate, 1938
Wherever your home may be, I wish the richest of blessings. Merry Christmas to friends old and new.
Scott Bumpus
This morning battalion guard mounting began for the three batteries.
It is Christmas Eve. I am sitting in my little cabin and my thoughts
carry me away to Helena where I see my good wife before the hearth
with three children around her; the eldest a girl standing and looking
earnestly into her mother’s face; the second a boy five years old,sitting
in a small chair looking into the fire; and the youngest a girl about four,
leaning on her mother’s lap--all listening attentively to what their
intelligent mother is relating in regard to the visits of Santa Claus.
having visited them on former Christmas Eves with presents of toys,
their curiosity is at its height to know if he will come tonight and fill
their stockings. Ah, will not these little innocents be disappointed? Their
father has not seen them for twenty months, and is now far away battling
for home and liberty, and has no means by which he can convey them toys
or money to purchase them. Whether their mother has the means to spare in
procuring Christmas presents for them is unknown to me, but I pray heaven
to provide her with the necessaries of life, and to bless and cheer the young
and innocent hearts of my children during the Christmas holidays. Happy
Christmas to my wife and children!
From The Campaign Diaries of Thomas J. Kay, CSA and Robert J. Campbell
edited by Wirt Armistead Cate, 1938
Wherever your home may be, I wish the richest of blessings. Merry Christmas to friends old and new.
Scott Bumpus