Manley Stacey Civil War Letters
March 12, 1863
Camp Hayes
March 12th
6,15 PM
Dear Father
I should have written you this morning, but expected to get the Barrel to day, & would wait till then. Yesterday they told us that the Teams had gone, for the Express Boxes, & that they would be here tonight but as yet, they have not arrived, though they may come tonight.
Yesterday [Hunt] & I got a pass for the Rebel Barracks to get some Lumber, to Stockade our Tents. We got a nice lot of Boards & got a 125th Regt, Teamster to bring them in for us. to day Barney, Al, Aleck & I have been at work all day, Stockading the Tent. By Stockading we mean building a Foundation, about 2 feet high, & setting the Tent on top of it. Tonight, we are taken a little more comfort. We have now got good accomodations, & have got plenty of room for the Boxes & barrels.
Last night at 11,10 the long Roll Beat again. A man on Picket, fell down & his Piece went off. the Camp Guards, immediately, fired the Alarm, so we were called out, & loaded our Guns. the Boys are more careful, since that Raid the other night. I telegraphed to you from Cleveland, did not you get the dispatch. I would not say anything about the Candles, to Capt, what do I care if he Blames me Stealing the Candles, if I am innocent. The boys all know in the Co, who took them, that is enough. I will step in & take the [Preaching] on Sunday noon, after I have been to meeting.
Aleck takes the Republican so when you do not send it, I see it. There has been a great many rumors lately. about our going to Chicago, to guard Rebel Prisoners. Adjutant Knapp, when he was here told the Officers, that the Citizens of Chicago, had Petitioned for us to do the guard Duty there.
March 13, 6,30 AM. We have very cold nights here now, last night we took a little more comfort. The Boxes are to be here tonight. the QM, had a Telegraph dispatched yesterday saying they would be here to night. Today as good Luck would have it, I have got to go on Picket. there is but little news in Camp now, everything going off, same as usual.
Rebel Refugees are going through here every day, they say, they can not live South, You can see them all hours of the Day, going through with their Household Goods. I shall be glad to get the $5,00, if we are not soon Paid off, for I need it. when is the Capt coming back, he has stayed over his time. well I must close this, have to to get ready for Picket, & clean my Gun
Love to Maggie & all
Manley
——————–
Rosa
I am very sorry to hear you have been so Sick, you must not study so hard. I want you to keep well until I come home, for I shall want to see you. I wish you many happy returns of the day, Little Miss, & hope [when] you have another, that I shall be with you. I want you to take care of yourself. Take good care of Maggie
Kiss Maggie for me & tell her Manley sends her his love
I will to you soon again
Love to all
Manley
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