title: Civil War: The Early Battles (Civil War Regiments , Vol 5 No 4)
author: Mark Snell
description: "Early Battles" focuses on lesser known but important engagements that helped shape the careers and fortunes of a variety of generals and regiments. These original essays, written by leading historians in the field, include topics on the Battle of Carthage, Santa Rosa Island, Big Bethel, Dranesville, and more. Includes book reviews, author interview, and regular column features.
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  # CHRISTMAS EVE IN WAR TIMES
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ### E. P. Roe
  
  
  This page copyright © 2002 Munsey's.
  
  
  http://www.munseys.com
  
  It was the beginning of a battle. The skirmish line of the Union
  
  
  advance was sweeping rapidly over a rough mountainous region in the
  
  
  South, and in his place on the extreme left of this line was Private
  
  
  Anson Marlow. Tall trees rising from underbrush, rocks, bowlders,
  
  
  gulches worn by spring torrents, were the characteristics of the
  
  
  field, which was in wild contrast with the parade-grounds on which the
  
  
  combatants had first learned the tactics of war. The majority,
  
  
  however, of those now in the ranks had since been drilled too often
  
  
  under like circumstances, and with lead and iron shotted guns, not to
  
  
  know their duty, and the lines of battle were as regular as the broken
  
  
  country allowed. So far as many obstacles permitted, Marlow kept his
  
  
  proper distance from the others on the line and fired coolly 