Christmas                                            

Camp La Fayette Dec 25^th 1862

My Dear Wife

                                    I wish you & the Children a “Merry Christmas”. As for myself I am enjoying myself very well to-day—doing nothing & eating all I can get. Although I cannot sit down to table spread with all the niceties that might might be prepared by a wife’s hand, yet I am feeling quite well & as happy as circumstances will permit. I am sorry to hear that Laura had such a misfortune as to been hir so I hope that she may get over it & not have a bad scar left. I am also glad to hear that the mortgage is nothing very serious though I have not rec’d Mr Stilson’s letter yet presume it will come to-morrow. The weather is quite warm & pleasant here now /

 

I was on guard yesterday & last night, at at our hospital, about half a mile distant & had a very good time of it, as it was warm & comfortable. The people here at the south think as much of celebrating Christmas as we at the north do of the 4^th of July. last night campfires & all sorts of fire works were to be seen in the streets of the city & Guns, firecrackers & rockets were to be heard all night & the shouting has been kept up all day. Every body seems to be trying hard to be merry. I like the name you have chosen for the baby, very well. I think I will keep your likeness till I get so that I cant take care of it, then I will send it home. if you can get your likeness & that of the Children taken, I would like it very / much. As our dress parade comes off in a little while I will have stop & brush up & black my boots, for we have to come out shining. Give my respects to all enquiring friends & accept lots of love for yourself & the Children—

 

                                    Your affectionate Husband

                                                            Z Larivier

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