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Things were a little better for the Christmas of 1779 at Morristown where the general and his staff were housed in the Jacob Ford Mansion. The troops shivered in tents while they built log cabins for more adequate shelter but at least they weren’t hungry. One wrote on Christmas Day: “I am just done dinner about half Drunk, all dined together upon good roast & boiled, but in a Cold Tent, however grog enough will keep out the cold.”
The most gala Christmas of the war years came in 1780 at New Windsor. Martha joined the general in late November, and she gave a Christmas dinner for 20 people. Turkeys were scarce but a generous housewife donated several she had raised for her own family. The menu also included beef and mutton, pies, puddings, apples, nuts and cider. A band played during dinner and spiced wine was passed around afterwards.
Washington sends greetings
On Christmas Eve of 1781, Washington wrote to Major-General William Heath: “I . . . venture to hope that you will spend a happy and merry Christmas, a thing that has not happened for some years past.”
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