Manley Stacey Civil War Letters

Camp near B Station
Dec 3d 1863

Dear Father

We are feeling rather Sad, tonight in our Co, Barney Francisco¹, Contant², from Marion, & Box³ from Sodus have been all taken Prisoners, It seems, that our Brigade, Skirmishes, were not relieved, the night we fell back, The others, were relieved at 3 AM, the next morning, but through some Carelessness, ours were not relieved, 127 men, were taken out of our Brig, & 30 out of our Regt. So now we can calcualte Barney is in Richmond.

Dec 4th.  This morning we got our back Mail, I read two letters from you & several Papers, with T enclosed, which I was very glad to get, especially the Green T.

This morning is it reported that Lee, has crossed the Rapidan, in two places, & is coming down to see us. We have just got Orders, to pack up everything, & be ready to move at a moments notice. Now for a general Sekdaddle, to Washington. It is also reported that Joe Hooker, had Comand of the Army again. If this is so, we may be kept pretty busy this winter. You may be sure we are living anything, but Comfortable, All the Rations we Draw, is Hd Tack, Coffee & Sugar & Beef, we have had no Pork in over a week.

One thing I forgot, to write in my last, that was our Piling up our Knapsacks, the day we expected to Charge, I tell you it was a solemn time, one I will never forget. Not a man, expected, to come back all right, especially after we saw, what we had got to do. If Hooker has got Comand, there is no Winter Quarters for us.

I hope you will send My Watch as soon as Possible, I need it every day. I think you could send it by Mail, by wraping it up well & sending it in a little Box.

I do not think Belles, is under Arrest, I know he is doing duty all the time & he would not if he was. I have drawn a pr of Gun Locks, & shall wear then until I get those from Home. I think I gave you a pretty good Account, of our late Advance & Glorious Retreat. There is no doubt, of our Boys being taken Prisoners. Poor Boys I pity them. I shall write to Francisco today. I will write to Mother in my next, no time now. I am very glad to get the Papers, I will write as often as possible, do the same.

Our mail leaves here at 4 PM, I do not see why you do not hear from me oftener & sooner

2 PM. No signs of moving yet today but think we soon shall

My Love to all
Manley

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