It's Sad For All Because of Army Seemed To The Christmas Period.

In 1862, December, Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia bedded fur for winter quarters in and around the town of Spotsylvania and Fredericksburg country. Behind defeating their Federal adversaries in one of the most uneven victories of the whole Civil War. The victorious but weathered army seemed to the Christmas period as a welcome reprieve.

Celebrations around the campsite were mainly joyous while this time, as the daily stress of battle was put aside in favour of very high spirits. The officers expressed this sentiment as considerably and they usually held private holiday dinners for their superior officers. 

One so meal was hosted by General Thomas Stonewall Jackson, who was staying in nearby Caroline country. Although he was not the most culturally adept of Lee's lieutenants, Jackson extended a warm invitation of his commander and staff to enjoy an evening of hospitality at his headquarters at oss Neck Plantation.

In his arrival, general Lee was treated to a traditional holiday meal, as well as the welcome company of his most trusted subordinates. The evening went well as conversational cheerfulness replaced the common discussions of attrition and tactics.

Shouting filled the room and, for a few abrupt hours, the war in Virginia was but an indifferent memory. For this Christmas nights, it was a group of southern gentlemen, not aromatic soldiers, who appeared together to celebrate and taste of home.