Henry Wadsworth Longfellow writes his poem "I heard the Bells of Christmas Day"

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote his poem "I heard the Bells of Christmas Day" during the day.  Clearly troubled with the continuing blood letting of the Civil War, which included the severe wounding of his only son, his words reference the horror of the conflict but also the hope that Christmas brought to him. Despite this, the poem, published later in early 1864, when set to music became a very popular Christmas carol, sung up to this day.  (By John Osborne)