Manley Stacey Civil War Letters

Camp Hayes
March 21st
8 AM

Dear Father

I received your letters of the 16th, yesterday & will answer this morning. Last night, the Report came to our Camp, that 250 Rebel Cavalry were inside our lines, & that we were to keep a good look out for them.

This morning I am feeling a great deal better, & shall soon be all right. I received 50 cts in Postage Currency. I forgot to send the Letter Ds & the Cross, so I will send them in this. I always lend Tom Hooker, my Papers, as fast as I can get them. That is a very interesting Copy of the Tribune you sent me, shall take care of it.

Tell Mother every thing she sent, was just the thing just what we wanted. the Boys say they will throw away their Knapsacks, before they will the Tea Pot.

I did not pay for the Dispatch sent from Cleveland. I tried to send a Dispatch from Alexandria, when we came through there, but found, that I would have to pay in Advance, if an answer was not wanted, & that it would cost $1,50 so of course could not send it.

I suppose when I return from this War, you will not be living in Lyons. I wish I knew, where you would go next.

We are having another Snow Storm this morning, it looks but very little like Spring here now, The People here say this has been the roughest Winter known in several years here. Well It can not last much longer.

If Charlie should Enlist as a Drummer, he could not Enlist in this Co, as our Old Drummer has returned to Duty, from Chicago. The Letter D which I send to Charlie is made from a Bone taken from the House where Gongressmen [sic] Ely, was confirmed, by the Rebs, after he was taken Prisoner. Tell him to have a Breast Pin made of it.

At last we are to have a Regimental Band, col Mac, gives $25 a month, himself. Wont that set us up. I would give 3 a month myself. Nothing would please the Boys better then to have a Band. when we get the Band & have a Review by Genl Casey next Summer, you must come down & Bring Charlie, I want him to make a trip down here. there is nothing more, of importance

Give my love to all. Kiss Maggie for me

Manley