Four diary entries from the Civil War document the evolution of holiday experiences of a soldier from Pennsylvania's Coal Region.
Four Christmases – Holiday excerpts from Henry Keiser’s Civil War diary

Four diary entries from the Civil War document the evolution of holiday experiences of a soldier from Pennsylvania's Coal Region.
A detailed description of how Schuylkill County celebrated Thanksgiving as the Civil War reached its climax.
As the men of the 96th Pennsylvania gathered for training in Pottsville in September 1861, a hurricane battered their makeshift encampment.
After more than 150 years, a regimental history finally tells the story of this Coal Region regiment.
The veteran of the 96th Pennsylvania read his poem at Memorial Day festivities in Harrisburg on May 29, 1879.
Captain Edwin L. Severn lost his right arm at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House on May 10, 1864.
Boyle acted as an unofficial historian for the 96th Pennsylvania. He died on October 11, 1912 at the age of 79.
When a Confederate army threatened Pennsylvania in September 1862, the citizens of Pottsville jumped into action. They also felt the harsh hand of war.
Keiser was fighting a potentially deadly illness and evading capture by advancing Confederate soldiers.
A Pottsville physician travels to the Peninsula to report on the experiences of the 96th Pennsylvania at Gaines' Mill.