Manley Stacey Civil War Letters

Line of Battle, near Boonston Ma
July 11,15AM

Dear Father

I received your letter of the 4th yesterday noon, while we were Halted for Dinner. You may be sure I was glad to get it, for I had not heard from Home, in over two weeks. I was pretty sure you would be in a great deal of trouble about us, so I wrote often.

We are now about, into another Fight, that is if the Rebs make a stand here, which I think they will do. After we Marched out on the Ferry Road, & turned off at Jefferson, for Sharpsburg, We now lay but a few miles from there. Yesterday there was Fighting here, the Rebs occupied the Ground in the Morning, & our Boys, drove then, over 3 miles. Yesterday we passed Maj Genl French, the Boys Cheered him well, when they knew who it was. We are about 2 miles from the River & about 6 miles from Williamsport, I think Lee will keep moving up this side, the River & we keep following him up, he will then watch his opportunity to Cross the River.

We are now in the Reserve, though some times the Reserve gets the Most Fighting to do, the 1st 11th & 12th Corps are all ahead of us, so we may see but little Fighting after all. Yesterday I was completely worn out, so I could scarcely walk, but I managed to stick it through til night. I was pretty nearly played out, this morning I am feeling a little better, & think I can stand it through today.

We have Orders to march at 6 AM. We have got 1 Sergt, 5 Corpls, & 7 Privates with us the smallest Co, in the Regt. Barney & Aleck stick it through, & are all right yet. I think, we shall go up as far as Williamsport today if no farther.

Our Regt is now Comanded by Capt of Co A Seeley, if he is Wounded, it will be comanded, by Lieut of some Co, God knows I hope it will not be. Our Brigade is comanded by Lieut Col [Bule] of 126th, I dread to go in Battle under him, he gets so excited, that he hardly knows what to do.

We now draw Rations regularly & are living better. Within this past week I have seen some awful sights, some that I never want to see again. Men wounded in every shape. I hardly think I shall get home in August, unless I get Wounded. I will write as often as possible

Love to all
Manley