Manley Stacey Civil War Letters

From the collection of the Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest, Illinois

August 31, 1862 – Camp Beardsly

Camp Beardsly Harpers Ferry Va Aug 31st 1862 Dear Father, I received your letter from home and was glad to hear from you all, so soon, Yesterday I received the Tribune. If you would Just as soon send me the weekly papers the Republican & Democrat I would much rather have them, as I see […]

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September 1, 1862

Camp Beardsley Harpers Ferry Sep 1st I got a little too late for the mail this morning so, I concluded to write a little more. After writing my letter yesterday A couple of Contrabands came into our camp from Lowdon. Jackson was impressing all of the Negroes into the service so they concluded to run […]

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September 6, 1862

Garibaldi Brigade Camp Beardsly Harpers Ferry Va Sep 6th Dear Father After writing to Charlie, yesterday, telling him that we should soon be into action, little did I think how near we were to it. At three PM yesterday we had orders to pack our Knapsacks, strike our Tents, & get ready to march at […]

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September 11, 1862 – Bolivan Heights

Bolivan Heights near Harpers Ferry Sep 11th /62 Dear Father I have written you two letters Since we left our other Camp Ground but can not tell whether you, have received them or not, as I have received no mail from home in over a week. I have felt quite anxious to hear from you, […]

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September 15, 1862

Camp Beardly Harpers Ferry Va Co D 111 Regt Sep 15th Dear Charlie I will now give you a little history of our life here.  It is, Roll call at 5, breakfast 5:30, Drill from 6, to 7, 30, Drill from 9 to 10, for Non Commissioned Officers.  Dinner at 12 PM, Squad Drill from 4 […]

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September 16, 1862 – Elmira

Barracks No 3 Elmira Sep 16th 10 AM Dear Father I arrived at Camp all night yesterday, at 11,30 AM, & had no trouble at all about being over time. things are moving along the same as usual here. We have now got about 200 men here & many more are coming in. Yesterday the […]

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September 17, 1862 – Monocacy Junction

Moncachy (Monocacy) Junction Md Sep 17th 62 Dear Father I know you must be very anxious to hear the particulars of our late Battles at the Ferry. On saturday morning last, we heard firing on Maryland High commencing about 8 AM, lasting two or three hours, Our Regt was not engaged in that fight About […]


September 21, 1862 – Camp Parole

Annapolis Ma Camp Parole Sep 21st Dear Father, I take this opportunity of writing you a letter again. We have had a lovely old time since our march from the Ferry. That was one of the roughest time that I ever had, talking about marches that was a rough one. After I wrote you at […]


September 23, 1862 – Camp Douglas

Sep 23 Camp Douglas Ill Chicago Co D 111 Regt Dear Father I suppose you would like to hear a little from me, again. Last Tuesday night we had orders to cook three day rations, during the night. The best of it was, our three Days rations consisted of one ration of Beef & one […]

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October 1, 1862

Camp Douglas Chicago Co D 111 Regt N Y S U Oct 1st /62 3 PM Dear Father I have just received your letter from Lieut Moon, and was very glad to hear again, as it is the first that I have heard form You, since, the letter by Lieut Granger, I have read the […]


Manley Stacey

born October 29, 1842

died December 26, 1863

Written during the battle of Gettysburg, July 1-3, 1863

"When we camped last, we could see the wounded coming in, those that were able to walk, and the cavalry horses coming in riderless. This showed us that something was going on...I think this will be an awful battle very soon and of course we are in for it...It is a sad sight to see the wounded brought in on stretchers, the poor boys all covered with blood & as pale as death.

"Last night at 4 PM we were ordered to march and form in Line of battle on our left. After a great deal of confusion, we got formed and then we were ordered to advance, right in the face of the rebel guns who were firing their grape and canisters into us by wholesale...After a great deal of marching and counter marching, we were ordered to charge on a rebel battery. We were now right in front of our canons, advancing on their guns, the rebel sharpshooters in our rear picking off our officers. This was an awful time the shells taking the men down by ranks. While we were marching, a man was shot, and the Blood was spilling all over my face, it perfectly Blinded me.

"At 1 PM we were shelled by 100 guns, all concentrated on the force supporting the battery. There we laid behind a stone wall, the shells passing over us and killing the men all around me. Three men were killed and thrown across me, covering me with blood. While we were laying here, a shell struck a stone in the wall and killed a man throwing the man across my legs and the stone striking me in the back & doubling me up.

"We have got about 18 men now in the Company fit for duty and 150 in the Regiment. We went in the fight with over 400, and have yet now 150."

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