Christmas : 1861

On the morning of December 25th, Lieutenant Adams, with the drivers and their horses, went up to the camp at Poolesville, leaving Sergeant Wardlow in charge of the section. On Lieutenant Adams's return, there came with him two men with a mess kettle of beer, the sight of this made the men smile. When it was served to them they drank to the health of their officers, and thanked them for their Christmas treat. The men appreciated the kindness shown them, by their orderly behavior during the remainder of the clay. As everything was quiet on the Potomac, Lieutenant Adams went up to Poolesville camp just before dusk.

  While the right section was on picket duty at the river below Conrad's Ferry, the other two sections of the battery remained in camp, and drilled when the weather would permit, and, for a change from the monotonous camp duties and drills, the officers decided to allow the men to have a grand celebration on Christmas day. Several large loads of wood were brought into camp. A goodly supply of apples, with other vegetables, had been received from the Sanitary Commission of Rhode Island the day before. Some turkeys, geese, and a few Maryland rabbits (pigs) had been secured from the neighboring farmers. Quartermaster-sergeant Dyer, by the officers orders, procured a small barrel of beer. Just after retreat roll call the feast, which had been prepared by the cooks was served, after which the barrel of beer was tapped, and the celebration began. At dusk a large bon-fire was lighted to enliven the occasion. In the midst of the enjoyment, Lieutenant Adams went to the quarters of the left section, and, in a loud voice, called for " Reckless." This was a nickname given to one of the men of that section, H. A. G(ardner). First Sergeant Blair reported that he was on guard. " Have him relieved and report to headquarters with his violin," said the lieutenant. " Reckless " was relieved, and, with his violin reported to the officers' quarters, and for hours jigs, reels, hornpipes, and breakdowns, were in order. James A. Sweet and others gave a fine exhibition of their skill in dancing " On the Green." Taps were not sounded until a late hour, and it was admitted by all, that they had had a grand time, and the men, with one or two exceptions, did not abuse the privileges which had been extended them on this occasion of their first       Christmas in " My Maryland." December 31st. For the past few days our infantry under the in­struction of an engineer have been very busy building a fort on a hill to the left of our station. As the fort across the river still continues to progress, the work being done by the rebels during the night, our troops also are building one to compete with it. No work is done by the rebels, during the day, for if they attempt to do so we soon make it hot for them by our shells, which are sent over as a challenge to return the compliment, but they have not as yet returned our fire. The Virginia side of the river is now picketed by the rebel infantry, and at times a squad of their cavalry can be seen. There is no firing of the infantry pickets, but at times the rebels will shout and ask, " Who's you ones over thar !" Our men would answer, " Two Hundred and Nineteenth Massachusetts" for the Nineteenth Massachusetts Regiment, and so on, not giving the right number. In answer to our pickets who would inquire where they were from, (hey would say, "Who's we! why, the Seventeenth Mississippi, " giving their correct number, they not having caught on to the little game of the Yankees of increasing numbers.

  Christmas week in the South, is generally observed as a holiday by the colored population. During Christmas week of 1861, there was. a wedding on the plantation of Mr. Smoot, near Conrad's Ferry. The happy couple were slaves that belonged to Mr. Smoot. On the day of the event, there was a general gathering of the colored people from far and near, old and young, great and small. A number of the men of Battery B who were not on duty went to witness the ceremony. Among the number was " Reckless," who, was met by others on their way to the plantation, as he was return­ing from camp with his violin. There was an old negro, who had claimed to be master of ceremonies, having very much to say and strutted around among his people like a lord. He carried a violin, and, judging by its looks, it must have been quite aged, or very much the worse for wear. After the marriage ceremony was con­cluded there was a celebration, consisting of singing and dancing. It had not proceeded far, before the old negro spied " Reckless" and his violin, and would not take no for an answer to his invitation to join in the celebration. Then when  Reckless" struck up a jig, which the old negro tried to follow on his fiddle, the dancers (the negroes) acted as if they would shake themselves to pieces. The negroes had an exciting time, which they kept up all that night, and a portion of the next day.