God Rest Ye Merry, Soldiers: A True Civil War Christmas Story

by James McIvor

In the winter of 1862, during the seemingly endless nightmare of the Civil War, a small miracle occurred. Just after Christmas, on the eve of the bloody battle of Stones River in Tennessee, the Union and Confederate armies set up camp within shouting distance of one another. To raise their spirits, they began a battle of patriotic tunes-“Yankee Doodle” drowned out by “Dixie.” Then, during a pause, a Union band struck up the wistful strains of “Home Sweet Home.” A Confederate band chimed in, and soon every regimental band and every soldier, Rebel and Yankee alike, had swelled the chorus. This bittersweet moment is the centerpiece of James McIvor’s portrait in miniature of a country weary of war.

Filled with soldiers’ letters-marked by humor, yearning, and courage-as well as Christmas poems and songs from the period, this is a tale of unabashed holiday spirit for our own divided nation.

Genres: History, Christmas, Civil War, Nonfiction, Holiday, Audiobook, American Civil War

162 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2005

Reviews

[Jeffrey Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of the worst Civil War books that I have read in my entire life. The actual "true Christmas Story" amounted to approximately five pages in the entire book, which reads like it was written by a high school student. There is a long lead in of useless information which, while it tries to set the context for the Battle of Stones River outside of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, is not entirely needed. The "true Christmas story" didn't even occur on Christmas, but closer to New Years. Then the Battle of Stones River section offers no new insights to the battle but muddies everything up even further. Lastly, the section about Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's Christmas Bells is inaccurate and a stretch. Longfellow wrote the poem in 1864 based upon his son's wounding at the Battle of Payne's Farm, part of the Mine Run campaign. It had absolutely nothing to do with Stone's River and the author tries too hard to fit this square peg into the round hole of his narrative.

There are two redeeming qualities to this book. The first one is that he does find some rich stories through letters from some of the participants. The second one is that it is a very short book so it makes for an easy read. However, those two redeeming qualities you can find in other better written books about Stone's River, so don't waste your time with this one.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Christmas of 1862 approached far differently than the year proceeding. Although the southern war for independence had begun in April of ’61,  the war was then still seen by many as a lark, an adventure – and soldiers on both sides could still feed off the prosperity of peace time. 1862, though, had made the war real: Shiloh killed more Americans in two days than all other American wars combined, and Antietam and Fredericksburg were similar slaughterhouses. Soldiers on both sides of the conflict were saddened, dispirited, and angry — angry at the politicians who started this and who kept it going despite the apparent stalemate. Southern soldiers were especially cantankerous, having learned of a recent law that effectively exempted planters from serving in the very conflict they’d created, and many were deserting not just to join their loved ones for Christmas, but to protest being ground up like grist in a mill for the planters’ pocketbooks.  In Tennessee, Billy Yank and Johnny Reb were both preparing for a Christmas slaughter — not of ham, but of one another, trudging through rain and mud and anxiously trying to keep their rifles and powder from being compromised by the wet. The next day would bring the Battle of Stones River, a multi-day affair that would, like Shiloh, begin with a Yankee rout that was eventually curbed, giving the Union army control of middle Tennessee and a technical victory despite the enormous losses on both sides — but the night before saw the soldiers, possibly imbibing in a little Christmas spirit, engaging in a Battle of the Bands against one until until they joined together to sing “Home, Sweet Home”.  This is a curious little history: I was anticipating something like the Christmas truce, but that never happened — and the two sides bonding together happened the night before they began slaughtering each other, so the whole “triumph of humanity over the state/politicians/etc” thing doesn’t really work. It’s quite nicely written, especially when McIvor describes the landscape of central Tennessee, and I appreciated his heavy use of soldiers’ memoirs and verse that make it something of a social history of late 1862. At any rate, I’d never even heard of the Battle of Stones River before, and now it’s a possible weekend trip next year.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book of bravery, strength, love and dedication to something better. Not always easy to follow but I enjoyed the entire ‘feel’ of this book. We need to be reminded of all the men and women who were willing to sacrifice for all of us.

[Kristi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book barely scrapes by as a `Christmas` story, so that being said it IS more of a description of the Battle of Stones River. I think if it wasn't for the holly in the corner of each page one would lose sight of the Christmas theme the author tries to tie in with this story.

Also I am disappointed with the way the author uses Longfellow's Christmas poem. He writes the first three stanzas (no problem here) then proceeds to tell us the following are little known verses that were written specifically for the Civil War. Again, no problem here. Then he tells us the general jist of the first two lines of the fourth verse and then proceeds to type out the rest of the 4th, 5th,6th,and 7th verse. I found this an awkward exclusion of the real words to Wadsworth poem which say,

"Then from each black, accursed mouth,
The cannon thundered in the South."

James skips these lines entirely saying in its place, the “The first of these verses evoked the cannons' roar now heard across the land“ Then he proceeds with the rest of the poem written out.

I suppose this isn't a big deal, but to someone who happens to know Longfellow's full poem it comes off weird and whitewashed. I have no explanation of why someone would exclude these lines! Longfellow was most certainly referring to a description of a cannon.

In conclusion I found this books depiction of soldier sentiments a bit moodier and contridictory to other books/diaries I have read on the Civil War. I appreciated the scraps of diary entries and letters, but on the whole I feel like I was given only partial information. It was partially a Christmas story (a few pages), it partially gave me everyday sentiments (many men did NOT view the war as a hopeless government thing that needed sorted out in Washington as James seems to feel they did) and it partially gave me Longfellow's Christmas poem.

[Darlene Ferland · Rating 4 out of 5]

James McIvor has given us a glimpse into what the life of the soldiers fighting in the Civil War was really like. Christmas and war aren't usually thought to be the subjects of a book to be read during the season of goodwill and glad tidings but the author has shown his ability to take the reader into the hearts and minds of those boys/men fighting for survival. The book begins with the second Christmas of the war in 1862 and, through letters, takes the reader into their hearts and minds. For history buffs, this is a must read. For everyone else, it is a stunning view of what our ancestors went through during those years of division.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book looks at the events surrounding the Battle of Stones River outside Murfreesboro, TN during the New Years of 1863. It also looks at the changing attitudes of the soldiers of both sides towards their foes, and the respect that was growing between them. The war’s role in the creation of the modern celebration of Christmas is also discussed.

[Jeff Sessions · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little bit of a stretch for a Christmas story. Most everything in the book took place after Christmas, but it did shed some light on the the influences the Civil War had on the future development of the holiday as men returned home looking for nostalgic reminders of when things were better. It was also a decent account of the Battle of Stones River in Tennessee on New Years Eve 1862.

[Al Berry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A series of anecdotes and looks into Christmas celebrations set around the Battle of Stone’s River.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent short book about the author's analysis and opinion of Civil War soldiers' and officers' mood and behavior in 1862 once the glory of war had long worn off. Mr. McIvor lists his sources at the end of the book and many of them are letters home. I think his strongest pages center around the actual words of men from both the north and south, sometimes jaded and desperate, sometimes clinging as best they could to their own version of patriotism and purpose. Very little of the volume has to do with the Christmas and New Year season when there were some instances of truce and interaction among the troops. The last chapter which touches upon year 1863 through the end of the war and beyond seems to me to paint an overly optimistic picture of a new sweetness, optimism, and collaboration in restarting the nation considering what we know went on during Reconstruction. The descriptions of battle strategy and outcome are interesting to me since I know very little about that type of detail. Take it with a grain of salt.

[Michelle L]

Have you ever heard an audiobooks or watched a show that took you back to your childhood, like almost as if you were physically a child again? That is what this audiobooks was for me.

It was an educational and eye-opening lesson on life for soldiers during the Civil War as told by their own letters and journals. Little snippets of information such as a popular Christmas carol "Peace on Earth" often refers to lyrics from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day," written during the American Civil War are sprinkled through the story. This book is an absolute must-read (or listen) for historians and history lovers.

[Victoria (hotcocoaandbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not what I thought it was, but it was still a good read.
This book covers stories about both the Union and the Confederate armies during the Civil War set around the wintertime, mainly focusing on Christmas in 1862. It tells the hard things that occurred in battles, some information from letters soldier wrote back home to their families, and just life that was very difficult while in battle. It was a bit gruesome and quite sad. I liked learning more things that I hadn't known. Also, it includes some songs and poems written from that year too (from those in the war or that the war had an effect on).

[Nick Barker · Rating 3 out of 5]

A 3.5. Throughout this book I couldn’t help. It think of gratitude and that we have so much to be thankful for right now. Times could be so much worse than Covid. Holidays could be so much lonelier. I’m grateful for all I have. And to me it seems like if I were to try and complain about the times we are in I should stop and think about those before us. So many others have had much harder times and holidays. Enjoy this thanksgiving and Christmas no matter how Covid makes it. It still doesn’t compare to many who are lonely, lost, in war, etc. crazy.

[Steven Hancock · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine historical account of the Christmas season of 1862; how it was celebrated during the American Civil War by troops in the field, and those back at home, and; how the conflict affected Christmas in America in its aftermath. Despite one glaring historical error (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote his classic poem, “Christmas Bells,” on Christmas Day of 1863, not 1862), this is an overall fine work on Christmas in the Civil War. Grade: B+

[Tamra Staiger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting insight into the civil war.

[Bertina · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT Historical Novel

[Bethany · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF - could not get into it, found it dry and hard to follow.

[The_J · Rating 3 out of 5]

War is Hell. Civil war is torture. But on the Holidays ... suffering squared.

[Melissa Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is not a Christmas story in spite of its references to Christmas. It might be a good Civil War book with a bad title but it is definitely not a good Christmas story.

[Ivy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A worthy read for its historical significance. Spend an afternoon.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This ended up being "not so Christmassy". It wasn't what I expected. Here's a quote from page 38 "We were very lavish of blood in those days."
A good Civil War book, but less so as a Christmas book.

[Shellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title is a bit deceiving, not entirely just a bit. It does tie in Christmas to the Civil War in a really unique way and I was not disappointed. This is a very short (165 pgs) and incomplete history of the Civil War. If you're a CW buff you'd enjoy this and in fact should add it to your list. And likewise if you're a beginner of CW studies you should also add it to your list.
The book basically begins and ends with Christmas scenes; one at the beginning of the war the other at the end. The author cleverly ties in a sort of history of Christmas in America to the Civil war and makes a very good case of how the Civil War helped popularize Christmas traditions and solidify Christmas in the hearts of all Americans.
I will be reading my condensed version of this book to one of my reading groups tonight (11/6/2013) as part of our Christmas story in November tradition. I'm kind of excited to share this with them.

[┊ ♡ Cordelia ♡┊ · Rating 5 out of 5]

: ̗̀➛ THE READALOUD HACK: This book was a readaloud with my mom in December 2015. We've been reading books aloud together since 2010. You can see a list of the books we've read together here.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is my mother’s favorite readaloud we’ve done together! It depicts a moment during the Battle of Murfreesboro when both sides simply stop fighting and start playing a song about longing to go home. The next day they fought. The book reminded me a bit of The Killer Angels in its battle moments, but it’s also a tour through Victorian America and its embrace of the Christmas tree. I very much enjoyed this one, & so did Mom. :)

[Laura Cushing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every year around this time I read a Christmas-themed book, and this is the one I chose for this year. I am fascinated by the Civil War time period, and enjoy first-hand accounts especially. This is chock full of letters, poems, songs, and so forth that document the stories surrounding Christmas of 1862. Unlike the Christmas of 1861 where soldiers could receive packages from home and morale was high, it was a bleak time in 1862. Food was scarce, morale was bad, and everyone was missing home.

Everything from desertion, to letters home, to temporary truces between the lines is in this book. A very enjoyable read. Would have been five stars if it was organized a little better, but that's just a nit-pick - overall was a great book.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book!! It is packed with history about the Civil War, and with the personal letter excerpts the author uses, and the poems that were written during the time period of this book, it makes for very interesting reading. You feel like you know all the soldiers after you've read the book, and can feel their pain and agony suffering the cold, and loss of their comrades and everything else that they go through.

[Pitterpat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although about the Civil War, this book is a wonderful holiday reminder of how it might feel to be a soldier far for home at Christmas. It gives historical highs and lows - of men divided by a horrible war but united in the doubts, fears, and the loneliness war brings. A wonderful reminder of how lucky we are to live in a war free country, able to celebrate the holiday season as we choose.

[Jodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never particularly been in to the Civil War, but I picked this one up years ago because it sounded interesting. I really enjoyed it. It's not a difficult read, super easy to pick up, put down and pick up again or to read in one sitting. I thought it was a thorough snapshot of a holiday season from both sides of the war.

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

I could not possibly write a better review than James Schmidt. See his review. I felt that the title episode was way too short, only 3 pages or so in the 160 page book. The book has lots of quotes. I love the primary source detail, but I wanted more detail regarding the title incident.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a Christmas story, I found this rather depressing. As a history of Christmas during the Civil War, I found it enlightening. Nations and men rush into war with fervor, and as the war drags on, the fervor turns to horror and sadness, especially at Christmas time.

[Rebekah]

Enjoyed this little historical read. Not quite what I expected from reading the title (as other reviews have mentioned). This book wasn't the type that I couldn't put down, but it did have some touching stories and accounts from men on the battlefield.

[Paula Schumm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook from the library.
This true story from the Civil War was educational and interesting. I liked the history of some of the Christmas carols that came from early America. Well done. Recommended to all fans of Civil War history.