Christmas at Petersburg in 1864 A Confederate veteran recalls a rare day of truce and fellowship
In Petersburg Virginia during the winter of 1864 65 General Bushrod Johnsons division defended lines near the Appomattox River. Soldiers from Wise Ransom and other brigades shared meals traded jokes and even offered drinks across the stale walls on Christmas day. Quiet exchanged between blue and gray ended with a fragile camaraderie and hopes for peace.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Petersburg
Appomattox
Bushrod Johnson
Henry A. Wise
Virginia
Matt W. Rancom
North Carolina
South Carolina
Gracie
Alabama
Georgia
Eainyiay
Bob Whitizy
Law and Equity
Wise
Mora
Jess
Ransom
Twenty-fifth
Hare’s Hill
Hare's Hill
Fort Hall
Major Hare
49Th North Carolina
Jrmiea
Thirty-fifth
Forty-ninth Regiment
Bob Phifer
North Carolina Regiment
Yank
Egan
Bob
Soma
Platt
Commonwealth of Virginia
Lee
Johnson
Appomattox Court House
Blue Town
Joke on the Sutler and a Confederate Captain
During the Murfreesboro campaign Wheeler’s cavalry raided Roscrea n’s lines and a night visit to La Vergne led Captain Nath Lyon into a sutler’s quarters run by a German innkeeper. He found twenty Federal drunks and a cache that had been overlooked in the raid.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Nathan Lyon
Eighth Confederate Cavalry
Atlanta
Murfreesboro
Wheeler
Rosccrans
la Vergne
Murfrewsboro
Nashville
Captain Lyon
Capt. Nath
Blue Overcoat Hero and Sutler's Plunder Plot
Confederate Captain Nath leads about 20 men in a daring ruse at a sutler’s store. Disguised in blue overcoats to hide carbines, they pretend to enjoy a spree, fund the funds, then reveal gray beneath to the astonished Dutch trader. The men seize goods and march the prisoners to camp as Dutchy laments in fear.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Natha
Duteby
Dot
Botas
Lyon
Nath
Dutchy
Confeda
Nathan
Himmell
Texas
Hove
Caine
Cecura
The First Drink Temperance Warning From a Drunkard
Two boys plan a saloon visit are warned by an old man who admits years of alcohol abuse. He cautions that one drink can lead to ongoing drinking, sharing his bitter experience and urging them to abstain. The exchange ends with a pledge to avoid the first drink.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ea- Joon
Tom
Eben E. Rezford
Jack Frost
Misguided Dosage Leaves Servant Sick After Cold
A servant, late to rise, sickened by taking medicine meant for children. Her mistress found her in bed in pain after following bottle directions that labeled ten drops for an infant thirty for an adult and a tablespoonful for an emetic. The servant believed she was an emetic and nearly turned herself inside out.
Relieved Politician Survives Stagecoach Hold-Up
A weary politician endures a road raid as highwaymen seize money watch and ring. After the confrontation the politican remains firm, noting risks and the irony of fame. The scene blends danger with reflections on success and reform.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Philadelphia
Also Mentioned on This Page
ES. Sanders
Atlanta Journal
Wheaterfield
Wilmington
Army of Northern Virginian
Castoria
Bears
Pierce
Dean & Ratliffe
Jos, J. Fretwele
Ligon & Ledbetter
A. D. Strickland
Morehavta Merehants Daak
Uaoca
Iostraton
Desin
Neo Mal Bone Ik
Ste
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