By now, it’s probably pretty clear that I’m a huge fan of primary sources–those letters, diary entries, newspapers, and more that shed light on past people and eras. One of my most recent additions to my American Civil War soldier letter archive was written from the famed Camp Nelson in Kentucky, and penned by two brothers in the 25th Michigan Infantry: Asa and Chester Slayton. Read on to discover what Christmas was like for some soldiers at Camp Nelson, all the way back in 1863!
Engineers Department
Camp Nelson Ky.
Dec. 25th 1863
Dear Mother:
We wish you a merry Christmas for today and a good many happy ones yet in store.
Could we know exactly how you all are at this moment, where you have been and what you have been doing today, and what you have all been talking about, we should know exactly what to write and say to you. However, as we can only guess at it, we presume that you have [sic] several of you have had a good visit somewhere; and perhaps some luckless turkey or unfortunate chickens had to come in and do their share towards making it a day of thankfull [sic] pleasure for you.
We can more certainly tell what we have been doing and how we have spent the day in Ky., than how our friends in Michigan have passed it. In the first place, we got up right early this morning, that is to say just after peep of day, and had a soon breakfast for this country, or in other words ate fried bread, potatoes and beef-steak at eight o’clock.
After making up our bed, doing up our dishes, sweeping out our house and bidding everybody around “Merry Christmas,” four of us started out exploring. We went across the camp two miles and came to the river bluff about half a mile from where the Big Hickman creek empties into the Kentucky river.
The bluffs are about three hundred feet above the water, and as we stand at the top and look away down at the green ribbon of water winding along, sometimes appearing directly under our feet, and again moving off to the oposite [sic] side of the gorge, our minds are filled with wonder and admiration.
We walked along the cliffs some distance and I could not help but think of walking along the rocks and looking down into the deep gullies above Grandfather Clarks, Uncle Warners, Aunt Pedees, Uncle Jareds, and many others of west hollow.
Soon we clambered down the rocks a hundred feet and entered Boones Cave, and explored it nearly half a mile. We then rambled along up the creek, looking at the hill and hollows and walls of rock two hundred feet high, and finally returned to camp at one o’clock.
Last night the Chief Engineer gave us an invitation to take dinner with him today; so our morning ramble was just to give us an apetite [sic]; and we assure you we had apetites [sic] that fully appreciated the fine qualities of a roast turkey, with plenty of stuffing and suitable gravy. Turn about is fair play, so we invited the Engineer, Mr. Gillis’s, to sup with us, which he did. We had warm biscuit, nice, light Michigan biscuit, good yellow butter, green apple-sauce, Mothers cheese and good thick syrup about as nice as strained honey. We then visited an hour or two and now at nine o’clock are writing this letter, which we hope you will have to read New Years day.
You would like to know what kind of a house we have; a white cloth one to be sure; just nine feet square and four feet high at the caves. In one corner, at your right, as you step in at the door in the end of the tent, is a splendid cook-stove; not large enough to be sure for I could carry it in my overcoat pocket if the pocket was big enough.
Two kettles, two spiders and two dripping pans come with the stove; all cost five dollars; had been used six months. In the left hand corner is our wood-box; in the further right hand corner is our cupboard for victuals below and books above; on the other side is our board bed stead; between the stove and cupboard is a small table, but it holds enough to make us contented and happy.
We have a good board floor under our tent, and we sincerely wish that all our soldiers were as well provided for, as we are.
We can buy butter for thirty cents per lb.; potatoes and apples one dollar a bushel; chickens 25 cts. and turkies [sic] 75 cts. each.
We have not heard from Charlie since coming here. Have no fears for us; we are feeling well, living well, trying to act well and to do well. With many wishes for your health and happiness dear Mother, we remain your affectionate sons
Asa & Chester [Slayton]
From the TSGS family to yours, we’re wishing you a holiday season that’s merry, bright, and filled with lots of adventures–just like the Slayton brothers’ Christmas of 1863.
Keep the History Alive!
