During the war, soldiers celebrated Christmas and the New Year in many different ways. Illustrations from the period range from the quiet reflection depicted in "The Sentry's Christmas" to the jubilant "Holiday Festivities of the 44th New York Volunteers." They also include Thomas Nast's first image of Santa Claus for Harper's Weekly; Santa appears patriotically dressed in a star-spangled jacket over a striped robe or trousers, visiting with soldiers in an army camp.
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