Manley Stacey Civil War Letters

Camp Hayes
April 22d 1863

Dear Father

I little expected to get a letter from you last night, but we got no mail. We now have got a new Major General, J J Abercrombie, it is reported that he is to make, this his Head Quarters. Yesterday aftyernoon at 2 PM, we went out to Battallion Drill, we had been out about 3/4 of an hour, when the Col, read orders, for us to be ready, to be received at 3 PM. So we Broke Ranks, Packed our Knapsacks, Blacked our Boots & fixed up, as soon as possible. The whole Brigade was Reviewed, by Genl Hayes. I wished you were here, as it looked Splendid.

There is but very little news in Camp, no signs of Pay Master yet. Things look now like staying here. I lost my Diary, the other Day in Camp. I think more of that then anything else I have got. I hope I shall find it. I suppose, you have now given up all hopes of my coming home, I am sorry for a short Rest would do me Good.

Tell Mother, if we have to march, that we have got a Col to march under, he says he has been in the Ranks & knows just how to march the Boys. He is merciful on the march if not on the Drill. He believes in pushing us right through on the Drill.

I shall write again tomorrow, when I hope to have something to write

Your Son

Manley

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Miss Rosa

I think that a leading question, asking me if I were Engaged, Well I can not say that I am, though I have between 15 & 20 chances to be, I think I shall postpone that, until I see whether, I shall live through this War. I do not want to Bother myself, with a woman now. Since I have made up my mind, to live a life of single Blessedness.

I am glad you passed Examination, so well, I shall expect to see a great change in you, when my 3 years is up. You must keep up good courage, even if I have to move, I may come out all right yet. Kiss Maggie for me, write often

Your Loving Brother

Manley

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Charles

I was surprised the other day, to get a letter from you, I did not know, but you had quit writing to me. If I had come home I should have set down a few rules for you to follow in my Absense, one is to write a good long letter to me every week. Now you can just as well, sit down every Saturday afternoon and write me a good long letter as not. Since I have been at this Camp, I have read, several, long letters from Gib Case, full of news, now if strangers can write, cant you my Brother, manage to write. I intend in a Day or two to write you just how we live in Camp, how we pass away time &c &c. Tell me if there is any new Engines on the Road & the No, & any other news, about the Boys

Your Brother

Manley

How old are you, I have forgotten