DECEMBER 25, 1862:
Christmas
Day.
Robert E. Lee writes to his wife. His letter reflects the subdued mood of
the entire nation---or both nations, depending on one’s perspective:
“...I will commence
this holy day by writing to you. My
heart is filled with gratitude to Almighty God for His unspeakable mercies with
which He has blessed us in this day, for those He has granted us from the
beginning of life, and particularly for those He has vouchsafed us during the
past year. What should have become of us
without His crowning help and protection?
Oh, if our people would only recognise it and cease from vain self-boasting
and adulation, how strong would be my belief in final success and happiness to
our country! But what a cruel thing is
war; to separate and destroy families and friends, and mar the purest joys and
happiness God has granted us in this world; to fill our hearts with hatred
instead of love for our neighbours, and to devastate the fair face of this
beautiful world! I pray that, on this
day when only peace and good-will are preached to mankind, better thoughts may
fill the hearts of our enemies and turn them to peace. Our army was never in
such good health and condition since I have been attached to it. I believe they share with me my
disappointment that the enemy did not renew the combat on the 13th. I was holding back all day and husbanding our
strength and ammunition for the great struggle, for which I thought I was
preparing. Had I divined that was to
have been his only effort, he would have had more of it. My heart bleeds at the death of every one of
our gallant men.”
Corporal J. C. Williams, Co. B, 14th Vermont Infantry,
writes to his family:
"This is
Christmas, and my mind wanders back to that home made lonesome by my absence,
while far away from the peace and quietude of civil life to undergo the
hardships of the camp, and may be the battle field. I think of the many lives
that are endangered, and hope that the time will soon come when peace, with its
innumerable blessings, shall once more restore our country to happiness and
prosperity."
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