November 22, 1861.
I have just passed a very pleasant Thanksgiving, and will
give you a little description of it. Yesterday was very pleasant, quite mild
for a change. In the morning at ten o'clock, we had church services. Mr. Quint
officiated and read the Governor's proclamation, music by the band, etc. After
this we officers had a “turkey shoot.” Then came dinner for the men. I provided
our company the following: eleven turkeys, seven geese, eighteen chickens, one
hundred and forty pounds of plum pudding. It was all nicely cooked at a farm
house and looked as well as need be. It was quite a feast and was enjoyed
highly. Other companies were treated accordingly. I doubt if most of the men
ever had as good a Thanksgiving before. The turkeys we shot we gave to the
non-commissioned officers. At four thirty, after dress parade, we had our
dinner. The tent was nicely warmed by a fireplace running under it, and well
lighted by candles in festoons. We had very nice stewed and raw oysters to
start off with, followed by roast turkeys, geese, celery, etc. We had plenty of
champagne and plum pudding, and everything passed off pleasantly. In the midst
of the dinner, Lieutenants Grafton and Shelton arrived (very opportunely for
them), and joined us. We sat till near “tattoo,” smoking and singing; then
dispersed. The usual supper of cold goose without mince pie, was eaten
about eleven o'clock. Altogether, it was a very pleasant day, much more so than
I anticipated. The band played during dessert, in the approved style.
Tuesday, Wheaton was taken sick. I have been acting as Adjutant
ever since. I like it very well for a change.
If you see Rufus Choate, tell him about our Thanksgiving; we
were very sorry to lose his company on that occasion, he is such a good fellow.
SOURCE: Charles Fessenden Morse, Letters Written
During the Civil War, 1861-1865, p. 30-1
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