Manley Stacey Civil War Letters

On Fatigue Duty
Camp Hayes Centerville
May 18th 1863
3,50 PM

Dear Father

I have recd your letter of the 14th, with the medicine enclosed. I am glad to hear, you think of coming down this week, & hope nothing will occur, to cause you to alter your mind. As for the forward movement, I do not think it will be yet. At any rate, we have Visitors every day, almost, from the other side of the River, & I do not think you will have any trouble in getting across the River.

I have not got the Sore Throat now, though I did have it last week. Now I am troubled with sore lips, a great many of the boys are troubled with this at present.

You ask about Dreyer He has always been Sergt from the time he was Promoted, until he was Reduced the other day, for Gambling. He never has been Hospital Stewart, nor ever even had a chance. He might at one time have been Ward Master, in one of the Hospitals, but now it is played out. He does not offer to pay fo the Revolver but says he will get another, (when he gets ready I suppose) I think I will write to Maj Robinson, as soon as I can get time. I will send you a list of my Correpondents, in this on a Card. You will think it very small, compared, to what a man in my position should do. I think if you come down here, it would make some difference to my Promotion, if there is any such thing in the [C….t]

I should think Tinsleys, would be a good palce of Charlie, to learn the Printers Trade. If he intends learning a Trade, I should advise him to learn that in preference, to any other, I know of. You say, Hunt writes home, that the boys are tired of the War & want to go home. There are some, of course who will complain, But I know the majority do not want to go home, until they have done something. Hunt himself will say so. As you say, we are but little alarmed, about the Examination in Tactics, I am posting myself all the time, & can say I can Command a Co, better, than some Officers in this Regt & I never expect to be a Commissioned Officer in this Co, If the whole Co, was raised in Lyons, there might be a chance, though as it is, there is but little.

I wish you would tell mother, that it is my Orders to come, down here, & I wish them obeyed. I can not see why Mother could have any possible objection to your coming down here. It can not cost, over $40, at the outside. At any rate I shall expect to see you here this week.

May 19th 6 AM. We are to have another, Brigade Inspection this morning. I only wish you were to be here, as it would be quite a sight.  I have but little, time to write, as they have just told us, prepare for Brigade Inspection

My love to all

Manley