Christmas Reflections

Christmas Reflections

From the Front—

1862 to 1918

Many of us are lucky enough to spend Christmas in Vermont with our families, happy with the usual rituals of the season.

Tens of thousands of American troops, however, are spending the holidays in the hot and violent confines of Iraq, where the idea of a relaxed day of fun is the farthest thing from their experience, while others shiver in the Afghanistan mountains.

In tribute to them, The Herald offers the following Christmas diaries, transcribed by Marian Leavitt Levasseur of East Barnard from two family treasures. One is from 1862 in the Civil War; the other covers the Decembers of 1917 and 1918.

It takes some imagination to read these entries. What may be striking at first is that they seem boring: Instead of celebrating a special time full of visits and happenings, these young men are experiencing days of tedium far from home, where he only excitement is likely to be violent and unwelcome.

It is important to fully imagine, too, that when Amos Leavitt says he "was on guard" for the day, that means he was at full alert and in danger throughout the day. And when he says he worked on the barracks and had a battalion drill, that means he spent the morning in backbreaking labor and the afternoon in strenuous marching, all while coming home in the evening to a tiny tent with a firepit in the ground.

Amos Leavitt—Virginia, 1862

Marian Leavitt Levasseur writes: "Some of my Leavitt relatives went off to fight in the Civil War. Here are some excerpts of Great Great Uncle Amos Leavitt’s diary. It’s interesting to note that they had half a day of rest on Christmas day and "went to meeting" probably meant they attended church services.

Dec. 14- We went on picket duty out to Bull run.

Dec. 15- We came off from picket.

Dec. 16- Went on picket was rather hungry.

Dec. 17- Came off from picket, marched to Fairfax. Very cold.

Dec. 18- Was on guard

Dec. 19- We moved our camp in the pines.

Dec. 20- I went to Fairfax on payroll duty. I was detailed for a corperill (sp)

Dec. 21- Came form Fairfax, went in to camp.

Dec. 22- Commenced building barracks. In the afternoon had battalion drill.

Dec. 23- Work on our barracks. 1:30 had battalion drill.

Dec. 24- work on our barracks.

Dec. 25- We laid still in the forenoon. 2 o’clock p.m. went to meeting. Received a letter from home. I had the headache.

Dec. 26- Had company drill in the forenoon and the afternoon cut down pine trees.

Dec. 27- Had a company drill in the forenoon. In the afternoon we had marching orders but it was countermanded.

Dec. 28- We had a meeting at 2 p.m. At 7 p.m. we went to Fairfax Station to defend that place. Co A went on picket to keep the reb back.

Dec. 29- We come from the Station back to camp.

L. Dudley Leavitt—France, 1917

Marian Leavitt Levasseur: "My dad was in the U. S. Army in France during the First World War from Sept. 23, 1917 to April 17, 1919. He secretly carried a small diary, where he recorded the Christmas seasons of 1917 and 1918."

Dec. 22- Had inspection. Got paid today $36.00. went to Neufchatau bought a pair of spiral putters and gloves. Got a letter form Dorothy, Hazel Leao and Aunt Luna and tonight from Aunt Kate, Mr. Blood, and Mary Hibbard. Also, three packages from Aunt Kate, Mr. Holmes and the senior class of SRHS.

Dec. 23- Got two more packages, one from Dorothy and the other from Aunt Co, also two letters from home, one from Aunt Co, one from Olive Densmore and Mary Hibbard and Alfred Leao. Didn’t go anywhere. Stayed in my room and sewed on buttons, gloves etc. Clear.

Dec. 24- Went on a short hike of maneuvers this a.m. Cleaned gun this p.m. Big air raid last night, ome (sic) Sef brought down. Damage done in —saw 26 aeroplanes at once this p.m. River frozen over, good skating. Wrote to Dorothy and Aunt Luna. Clear and cold.

Dec. 25- Got a letter last night from Marion Houson, a distant cousin from Illinois and today four pair of canvas gloves and a roll of papers from home. Had a fine Christmas breakfast and dinner. 2/3 of CO celebrated by getting drunk. Services at the YMCA and movies tonight. Snow.

Dec. 27- Went on a long hike way beyond Lunndanville. Came back at one o’clock very sore and lame. Maj. Perrins is going to leave us. Went into trenches on the hill at six o’clock, came out at eleven. Very cold. Bed at 1:30 a.m. Used signal rockets.

L. Dudley Leavitt—France, 1918

(It may be mentioned that a kilometer equals approximately five-eighths of a mile. Thus, Leavitt and his company would seem to have hiked about 30 miles on Christmas Day for the privilege of being reviewed by President Woodrow Wilson.)

Dec. 21- We had inspection of everything again today and we checked off on what we were lacking. Corp. Perrins came back from the hospital. Letter from A.G. Moore. Wet.

Dec. 22- Were supposed to be paid today but, they are out of change so we get it tomorrow. Are going to be inspected by President Wilson here Christmas Day. Wet.

Dec. 23- Reports are changed and now we hear the Pres. Is not coming here but, we go about 30 k to be inspected by him on Christmas Day. Rain.

Dec. 24- We cleaned our equipment for the hike today. Wear helmets and gas masks. Hiked 22 k to Chairmes and go on in the morning. Rain and hail.

Dec. 25- Hiked about 6 k and was reviewed by the Pres and his staff. 10,000 troops there from 5^th Army Corps. Muddy field, near Langes. Hike back to Poulan in p.m. 43 k in all. Done it in 5 hours. Merry Christmas!

Dec. 26- We had no formation this morning, but ate a good breakfast at 9:30 and a nice Christmas dinner at 3:30. Got paid in p.m. Got 15F after paying off my furlough debts. Hail.

Dec. 27- The Co drilled today, but I didn’t as the hike wore my shoes through and there are none on hand at present. Got a letter from Gail, Home and Aunt Co. Wet.

FAREWELL to 1918.

You, 1918, probably have been the most eventful year of my life I thank God that I have been able to do my duty as a soldier and as a friend in this great crisis.

—L.D. LEAVITT