1863 was a seminal year in the history of the United States of America–the mid-way point in a brutal war.\u00a0 And from its chaos come two wonderful, gifts of prose:<\/p>\n
Abraham Lincoln penned one of the most touching descriptions of the Civil War<\/strong> (if your ancestors lived in a Union state) or the War Between the States<\/strong> (if they lived in the Confederate States of America.)\u00a0 We have celebrated his Gettysburg Address<\/strong><\/em>, a funeral memorial delivered at the dedication of the battlefield on 19 November 1863.<\/p>\n Now, let us celebrate the poem put to music–“I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,” <\/em>written on 25 December 1863 by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.\u00a0 Longfellow expressed his despair at the deaths of his wife Frances and his son Charles who went to war against his father’s wishes and advice.<\/p>\n I heard the bells on Christmas Day \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 and wild and sweet<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 the words repeat<\/p>\n Of peace on earth, good-will to men!<\/p>\n And thought how, as the day had come, Of peace on earth, good-will to men!<\/p>\n Till ringing, singing on its way, Of peace on earth, good-will to men!<\/p>\n Then from each black, accursed mouth Of peace on earth, good-will to men!<\/p>\n It was as if an earthquake rent Of peace on earth, good-will to men!<\/p>\n And in despair I bowed my head; Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”<\/p>\n Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: With peace on earth, good-will to men.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n American losses from both sides of the battles fought in 1863 almost destroyed a whole generation of men.\u00a0 The slaves were freed, the soldiers were conscripted, and the nation all but collapsed.\u00a0 And these two literary gifts continue to comfort and inspire us today.\u00a0 Merry Christmas to you all!\u00a0 Your favorite genealogist, Arlene Eakle\u00a0 http:\/\/arleneeakle.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 1863 was a seminal year in the history of the United States of America–the mid-way point in a brutal war.\u00a0 And from its chaos come two wonderful, gifts of prose: Abraham Lincoln penned one of the most touching descriptions of … Continue reading \n
\nTheir old, familiar carols play,<\/p>\n
\nThe belfries of all Christendom<\/p>\n\n
\nThe world revolved from night to day,<\/p>\n\n
\nThe cannon thundered in the South,<\/p>\n\n
\nThe hearth-stones of a continent,<\/p>\n\n
\n“There is no peace on earth,” I said;<\/p>\n\n
\n“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;<\/p>\n\n