( Timothy O'Sullivan | Library of Congress) Putnam’s.'Ī cropped enlargement of a war-time image of Fredericksburg, Va. 'What is more acceptable in most cases as a Christmas or New Years gift,' the local newspaper cheerily noted, 'than a handsomely bound volume with something valuable between its rich covers? Any one in search of such a present can satisfy himself at Mr. The little folks had better hang up their stockings in a good place where Santa Claus can find them.'Īt several stores in the town along the Connecticut River, 'valuable and beautiful presents may be found,' and Putnam's local bookstore was especially well-stocked with gift books. He prefers to come in by way of the chimney.

Such as expect a visit from him need not be particular to leave their doors unlocked.

'Saint Nicholas will visit this place on Wednesday night,' the Middletown Constitution reported in its Christmas Eve edition. Women in the congregations decorated the Episcopal and Universalist churches with evergreens, and parishioners adorned Christmas trees with ornaments for Sunday school children.

Like this blog on Facebook | Follow me on TwitterĪlthough the temperature had recently plummeted to as low as minus-3, frigid weather did not thwart Christmas preparations in Middletown, Conn., in 1862. Privates David Lincoln, Daniel Otis, Andrew Scheurer, Enoch Wilcox II and Dwight Wolcott. Either killed or mortally wounded at Fredericksburg (clockwise from left): 14th Connecticut

Middletown civil war hospital