In this visual source document we see Santa Clause visiting a camp of soldiers from

the Union in January of 1863. Immediately, one must notice that the Santa Clause
pictured differs greatly from the one that has come into popular culture, donning a
red suit with puffy, white trim, in that he is wearing a star-spangled coat and pair of
striped pants, making him a perfect synthesis of Christmas and Union iconography
(because the Confederates had a different flag). Similarly, The Battle Hymn of the
Republic, with its religious phrases and self-assuring language, blended the Unions
pride and confidence with religious symbolism, thus creating a connection between
the two that could be taken into the minds of the soldiers and general population.
Yet, these displays of pride