<font color="beige"><b>'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the place
The glasses were filled, even teetotalers were having a taste
The officers some Blue and some Gray, sat at bar and at table
Telling tales of past victories some great and some fable
When outside the entrance there came such a clatter
Half the patrons jumped up to see what was the matter
A movement they spotted through frosty window so cold
Down the hill rolled a caisson painted red and trimmed gold
Pulled by six mules, their harness decked with bells made of brass
Fine looking beasts, who would believe the father of each was an ass
With ears as long as can be, their hoofs clicked a tune as they ran past
The driver he called to each one then the other, each one till the last
Whoa Francis, whoa Hector the leads of the hitch, whoa Bessie then Blue
Whoa Cupcake whoa Gus, to a halt all did come and the caisson did too
With reins tight in his hands as he came to a halt, all could see who it was
'Twas St.Nicholas himself, bringing presents to all, cause that's what he does
From his pants to his jacket and the Kepi on his head
He was dressed like an artilleryman decked out in bright red
His whiskers were white as was the trim on his boot
One could see at a glance for fashion he didn't give a hoot
In a flash he sprang from the limber then turned and lifted the lid
Reaching inside he found what he needed, a grin on his face like a big kid
For Johnny there were shoes of leather painted black
And a haversack filled to top with bacon and hard tack
For Billy a warm blanket made of worsened wool
canned peaches and a Spencer....Santa's no fool
Last but not least the Generals too, for them he had polish to shine
Buckles and stars to impress those beneath, course that's all in their mind
But time it's a wasting, many more stops he must make
For most it's seems impossible but for Santa it's cake
Back on the caisson he jumped, and with a whistle and a yell
He started the team on their way, across hill and across dell
Then I heard him exclaim as he dropped out of sight
<font size="5">Happy Christmas to all and to all a good-night!</font id="size5"></b></font id="beige">
[:)][:p][;)]
<center><font color="blue"><b>Maj.Gen. R.A.Weir</b></font id="blue">
<font color="yellow">THE CALVERT LINE</font id="yellow">
<b>First--III--AoA CSA</b></center>
