December 26th, 1864.—Christmas was truly delightful. The joy of the children, at sight of the beautiful tree and toys fully compensated us for the time spent in their manufacture. Such exclamations of delight; such squeals of joy; as they received the gifts and realized that the blockade had not kept old Santa out. I never saw a happier set of youngsters in my life. We, who are grown old in service, do not expect gifts any more but this morning I have two letters, one from the Army of Northern Virginia and one from General Forrest’s Command in the West. Do diaries ever feel curious? I shall not tell you who these letters are from.
Susan Bradford is 18 years old when this entry was made.