Delaware State journal and statesman., 1863-01-02
LETTER No. IS.
CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH.
Saturday Night, Dee. -,
FalrNp EcK,L

FRIEND ECktL:
Ii you had a jolly gooC time in
CHRISTMAS. you were more fortunate than those
whose modest little tents arc pitched upon the
stafford hills. We were'iar out of the range Of
Santa Claus travels. His gray beard aud cherry
countenance were not seen in our camp to insp ire
milth and impart joy aud glalness. Wheeler
his venerable hlghness imagined that we were
not de-erVing his hounies, or whether he diant
admire the military aspect of affairs down this
Wny, and was apprehensiye VI rebel raids with
Il cnptute of all OF his rich slnres IL unknown to
u.
The patron OF the occasion treated us shah
MY lie neglected Us utterly. Not turkey
was offered up 10 remind us that Christmas had
come not a miuce pie, hot from the oven, sent
lurlh its streaming OdOr no egg nogg or apple
toddy with their exhilaratng qualities tempted
the military to imbibe in honor Of the event, and
10 tTeshen the remembrances of other years, when
the anniversary came, conveying a rare freight
ol hAppiuess to be deposited within every ones
reach. No festivities; no inspiration of cheer
no pleasant amenities we're developed. for there
was nothing In develope them not an extra pola.
toe was added TO the meal, or an onion to spice
II, 10 give the selnblarCe Of n feast The gill Of
whskey allotted to the men as n ration was II
very small capital on which to eugage in heGt-
ting style in tho celebration Of the day
Christmas Eve differed in few respects from
any other eve The officers wandered from tent
10 tent in quest Of the slightest evidences Of
Christmas, but none were found. Many sat
about their rough hearths, watched the pine
wood as it hlazed, and INDUCED in reyeries, re-
respected former occasions, aud wondered what
their families and friends were doing al home -
They imagined the festivities incident TO the
eve IN civil life, thought of the sOoalities
that frightened every household Of the
IN which the compliments of the Aeason were
passed, each member sincerely wishing for
the other everything that was good and desi-
fahle ot The season when were exercised in a
liberal manner charity, benevOence forgiveness,
peace and good will; and then hpthought them
selves Of their position; without the sphere of
the kindly Influences of home and the endeared
onee' Remote from the genial aud inspiritng
sympathies that would be horn of the hour far
from personal communion with friends, and ad.
Judged to long continued severance of asso-
eialions which were as pleasant and as firm as
friendship with its peculiar ties could make them
With these reflections aRd whilst giving an
unrestricted rein for the gallOpng Of ihe imaei.
nation over pleasant fields once rodden by the
blessing laden holiday saint, the man in military
harness is apt to regard himself as shut out from
the enioymentF of Christmas an outsider as il
Mere stranger to the benefits and enjoyments
OF the anniversary ofan event which should cause
all hearts to swell with gadness, and all emotions
to be those of gratitude and JOY.
Few are the salutations "a merry Christmas
to you I" for such would be "a mockery. and
would be offered with no expectation Tint the
wish could be realized under present ercumstau-
ces for what are the agencies To make a merry
Chrismas' No flowing howl from the spirituous
depths of which merrinent arises, hope springs,
feelings exalted bubble up and sparkle, until re.
hellious for the n0uce are forgotten and every
object made to assume the brightest hue. No
social visits. No " fensts Of reason nnd flow of
soul :" few sympathies and few interchanges Of
thought and sentiment. The camp Is the world
and the tent is the home, and the drums that
beat night and morning persist in making all
mindful that they are under army discipline and
that longings are not to be INDUCED. However
great the ennui may he, there is no escaping il
The tedium cannot be broken by the means az
hand in social life, for they are not accessible
In view Of all this it is not surprising that the
occasion has been dull one, aud that all insist
that Christmas didn't visit us at ALL Il Is true
that the Goth of December presented itself
duly, but it brought with it few or none Of the
features which used to be so pleasantly familiar
to us.
May the day have conveyed to you and your
readers, If II is nottoo late TO indulge in the wish
its usually attendant happiness, aud NAV the
New Year, in its approach, be fraught with ioy
and earnest promises of blessings TO follow.
As a side remark aud concluding one we
will say that the chaplain thinks this letter ought
TO he spiritual one, as a keg Of hospital whiskey
was our seat whilst writing il but he didn I
Know that the contents Of that keg were of the
cheap kind, and like some peoples religion, yery
much adulterateJ.
Yours, BILLY.