The Civil War between southern and northern states was raging on December 24.
Loved ones at home prayed for the safety of their soldiers in the field, as this drawing by Thomas Nast in Harper’s Illustrated so touchingly depicts:
On this Christmas Eve 2012, I pray for the safe homecomings of our armed forces in the service of our country, the United States of America, all around the world.
May our brave ones soon be reunited with their loved ones at home.
The Assassin's Assassin 