Southern Historical Society Papers, Volume 11.
Reverend J. William Jones, Ed.

December 25th.—Merry Christmas is here again, and the ‘little ones’ in blissful ignorance of the unhappy state of the country, hail the coming of ‘Santa Claus’ with happy faces and joyous hearts. The unfortunate patients in the hospital were not forgotten in the distribution of Christmas gifts. Enjoyed a family Christmas dinner at home.

December 28th.—Have been confined to my bed for the past two days from the effects of a fall on Thursday night. Fell down a flight of stairs, about thirty feet from top to bottom.

Sunday, December 29th.—A beautiful Sabbath day. Attended service at the Second Presbyterian Church, and heard an interesting discourse by Rev. Dr. Grundy, on the ‘Authorship of the Bible.’

December 31st.—This day closes the year 1861, one of the most eventful years in the history of our country. The great Union of America has been dissolved, and there are now two Republics, a Northern and a Southern; the one fighting for the subjugation of the other; the other battling for independence and separate nationality. After a war of nine months the North stands where she did, when the ‘little rebellion,’ which was to be crushed in twenty days, first broke out. Her armies have been vanquished on the field, and the abolition despot who rules at Washington has been made to tremble for the safety of his capitol, and now he is threatened by England unless he surrenders Mason and Slidell. It is rumored that the vile Cabinet at Washington has decided to give up our Commissioners, rather than go to war with England. The American Eagle quails before the British Lion, and ‘Ichabod’ is written on the folds of the ‘Star Spangled Banner.’

Six months of the year I have spent on the tented field, and while it has been of very great benefit to me physically, I fear that I have suffered loss, mentally, morally, and spiritually. But the sacrifice is made upon the altar of my country.