It was Christmas 1862 when Thomas Nast was asked by his editor to illustrate the poem "A Visit With St. Nicholas." America was embroiled in armed conflict in the Civil War, the darkest hour the Nation had ever known. Nast illustrated Santa visiting the Union troops on the cover of Harper's Weekly January 3rd, 1863. Jim Two Crows Wallen, dressed as the Nast Santa, using actual letters and diaries from soldiers, wives, parents, and children will describe the Christmases during this most difficult time.