Manley Stacey Civil War Letters

Camp near White Plains Va
July 25th 7,30 PM

Dear Father

When I wrote you last, we were expecting to have a little Fight with the Rebels at the Gap, until Yesterday noon, when we marched back, to where we started from, the night before. It turned out from some Prisoners we took, that one Brigade, was all the Force, they had at the Gap. The rest of his Force, had been passing for 3 Days. We had, but few men Wounded in the Skirmish, when our Forces drove them from the Gap. This morning at 5 AM, we Broke Camp, & marched, here, arriving here, at 4 PM. We are now near Thorofare Gap,

Tomorrow we march to Warrenton, when I think if we go Home at all we shall go, from there. I very much Doubt, however, whether we go at all. It is 13 miles, from here to Warrenton, which we can easy march. We drew 3 Days Rations, tonight, which makes the Boys feel a great deal better.  If we do not go Home, & we lay at any Camp, I shall have to send for a few Days

Camp near Warrenton Junction.  July 27th 1863 5,30 AM. We left White Plains, yesterday morning, at 5,30, & marched 13 miles to Warrenton, arriving there at noon. Talk about marching, this was the Hardest we ever had, we rested once in that time, for 10 minutes. the rest of the time, we had to keep Marching as fast as we could walk. They told us, when we arrived at Warrenton, we should Camp there, But instead of that we only staid one hour (&) was then Ordered to the Junction, 9 miles.

This part of the marching the Roads were Bully, but oh, how hot it was. They marched us at most on a Run, every step almost, the Boys would fall down Sun Struck. we lost 6 men, from Warrenton here, out of the Brigade, & more will Die. I tell you it looked hard. Jefre Cooley, came very near being Sun Struck. I put some Water on his head & brought him too [sic]. For my part, I keep my Head wet all the time, this I know helps, on such marches.

We have now Camped one mile, from Warrenton Junction. I think we shall lay here today, Draw Rations &c. If we go Home at all, it will be from here, but I am afraid it is played out. We think here, that we shall march, to [Falmouth] then cross to Fredericksburg, where we will take Possession of the Hights. Then Lee must Fight or keep [away] from Richmond. We are a hard looking [set] here, this morning, all completely worn out. Warrenton is the prettyest little Place I have been in, since I left Home. It is a splendid little place. We are working now towards Centreville, I would not care, if they were there to stay.

We hope to get our Mail today, which will make us all feel good

I will write as soon & as often as possible

Love to all

Manley