Page 26 - Among the camps, or, Young people's stories of the war

T H E approach of Christmas was recognized even in the
Federal camps, and many a song and ringing laugh
were heard around the camp-fires, and in the tents

and little cabins used as winter quarters, over the boxes
which were pouring in from home. The troops in the camps
near General Denby's headquarters on Christmas eve had
been larking and frolicking; all day like so many children*
preparing for the festivities of the evening, when they pro-
posed to have a Christmas tree and other entertainments ;

and the General, as he sat in the front room in the house
used as his headquarters, writing official papers, had more
than once during the afternoon frowned at the noise outside
which had disturbed him. A t length, however, lace in the

afternoon, he finished his work, and having dismissed his
adjutant, he locked the door, and pushing aside all Ids
business papers, took from his pocket a little letter and began
to read.
As he read, the stern lines of the grim soldier’s face
relaxed, and more than once a smile stole into his eyes and

stirred the corners of his urizzled moustache.
The letter was scrawled in a large childish hand. It
ran :