Manley Stacey Civil War Letters
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Written during the battle of Gettysburg, July 1-3, 1863
"When we camped last, we could see the wounded coming in, those that were able to walk, and the cavalry horses coming in riderless. This showed us that something was going on...I think this will be an awful battle very soon and of course we are in for it...It is a sad sight to see the wounded brought in on stretchers, the poor boys all covered with blood & as pale as death.
"Last night at 4 PM we were ordered to march and form in Line of battle on our left. After a great deal of confusion, we got formed and then we were ordered to advance, right in the face of the rebel guns who were firing their grape and canisters into us by wholesale...After a great deal of marching and counter marching, we were ordered to charge on a rebel battery. We were now right in front of our canons, advancing on their guns, the rebel sharpshooters in our rear picking off our officers. This was an awful time the shells taking the men down by ranks. While we were marching, a man was shot, and the Blood was spilling all over my face, it perfectly Blinded me.
"At 1 PM we were shelled by 100 guns, all concentrated on the force supporting the battery. There we laid behind a stone wall, the shells passing over us and killing the men all around me. Three men were killed and thrown across me, covering me with blood. While we were laying here, a shell struck a stone in the wall and killed a man throwing the man across my legs and the stone striking me in the back & doubling me up.
"We have got about 18 men now in the Company fit for duty and 150 in the Regiment. We went in the fight with over 400, and have yet now 150."
The Letters
- August 13, 1862 (first letter) Camp Halleck
- August 16, 1862
- August 26, 1862 - Camp Hill, Harper's Ferry
- August 29, 1862
- August 31, 1862 - Camp Beardsly
- September 1, 1862
- September 6, 1862
- September 11, 1862 - Bolivan Heights
- September 15, 1862
- September 16, 1862 - Elmira
- September 17, 1862 - Monocacy Junction
- September 21, 1862 - Camp Parole
- September 23, 1862 - Camp Douglas
- October 1, 1862
- October 6, 1862
- October 8, 1862
- October 10, 1862
- October 12, 1862
- October 14, 1862
- October 17, 1862
- October 18, 1862
- October 21, 1862
- October 23 & 24, 1862
- October 26, 1862
- October 28, 1862
- October 29, 1862
- October 30, 1862
- October 31, 1862
- November 1, 1862
- November 5, 1862
- Ca. November 8, 1862
- November 9, 1862
- November 10, 1862
- November 12, 1862
- November 14, 1862
- November 16, 1862
- November 18, 1862
- November 23, 1862
- November 25, 1862
- November 26, 1862 - On the road
- November 28, 1862 - Pittsburgh
- December 1, 1862 - Washington DC
- December 2, 1862 - Camp Chase
- December 3, 1862
- December 7, 1862 - Camp Casey
- December 8, 1862 - Camp Pomeroy
- December 10, 1862
- December 11, 1862
- December 12, 1862 - Camp Vermont
- December 15, 1862
- December 16, 1862
- December 18, 1862
- December 19, 1862
- December 21, 1862
- December 23, 1862 - Camp Pomeroy
- December 25, 1862
- December 26, 1863
- December 28, 1862
- December 30, 1862
- January 1, 1863
- January 7, 1863 - Centerville
- January 9, 1863
- January 11, 1863
- January 14, 1863
- January 16, 1863
- January 18, 1863
- January 20, 1863
- January 22, 1863
- January 23, 1863
- January 26 & 27, 1863
- January 30, 1863
- February 1 & 2, 1863
- February 3, 1863
- February 5 & 6, 1863
- February 8, 1863
- February 10, 1863
- February 11, 1863
- February 13, 1863
- February 16, 1863
- February 18, 1863
- February 20, 1863
- February 23, 1863
- February 24, 1863
- February 26, 1863
- February 28, 1863
- March 2, 1863
- March 4, 1863
- March 7, 1863
- March 8, 1862
- March 10, 1863
- March 12, 1863
- March 15, 1863
- March 17, 1863
- March 19, 1863
- March 21, 1863
- March 23, 1863
- March 24, 1863
- March 26, 1863
- March 28, 1863
- March 29, 1863
- April 1 & 2, 1863
- April 4, 1863
- April 7, 1863
- April 9, 1863
- April 10, 1863
- April 12, 1863
- April 13, 1863
- April 15, 1863
- April 16, 1863
- April 18, 1863
- April 19, 1863
- April 22, 1863
- April 23, 1863
- April 24, 1863
- April 26, 1863
- April 27, 1863
- April 30, 1863
- May 2, 1863
- May 3, 1863
- May 5, 1863
- May 6, 1863
- May 8, 1863
- May 11, 1863
- May 13, 1863
- May 14, 1863
- May 15, 1863
- May 16, 1863
- May 18, 1863
- May 21, 1863
- May 22, 1863
- May 26, 1863
- May 29, 1863
- May 31, 1863
- June 2, 1863
- June 3, 1863 - Near Union Mills
- June 4 & 5, 1863 - Camp Hayes
- June 6, 1863
- June 7 & 8, 1863
- June 8, 1863
- June 11, 1863
- June 16, 1863
- June 17, 1863
- June 18, 1863
- June 20, 1863
- June 22, 1863
- June 24, 1863
- June 27, 1863 - Edward's Ferry, Md
- June 28, 1863 - Monocacy Junction
- June 29, 1863 - near Liberty Md
- June 30, 1863 - Union Town, Md
- July 2 to 5, 1863 - Gettysburg, Pa
- July 6, 1863
- July 7, 1863 - Taney Town, Md
- July 9, 1863 - near Frederick, Md
- July 13, 1863
- July 15?, 1863 - near Boonston, Md
- July 16 & 17, 1863 - near Maryland Heights
- July 19, 1863 - near Snickers Gap, Va
- July 24, 1863 - Manassas Gap, Va
- July 25, 1863 - Camp near White Plains
- August 8, 1863 - Elmira, NY
- August 12, 1863
- August 13, 1863
- August 17, 1863
- August 19, 1863
- August 27, 1863
- September 2, 1863
- September 23, 1863
- September 25, 1863
- September 28, 1863
- October 4, 1863
- October 8, 1863
- October 14, 1863
- October 21, 1863
- October 30, 1863
- October 31, 1863
- November 2, 1863
- November 9, 1863 - Brandy Station
- November 10, 1863
- November 21, 1863
- November 24, 1863
- November 26 to December 3, 1863 - Mine Run Campaign
- December 3 & 4, 1863
- December 5, 1863 - Camp near Union Mills
- December 6, 1863 - Stevensburg, Va
- December 8, 1863 - Camp on Dumpling Mountain
- December 17, 1863 - The last letter
Other Letters and Documents
Related links
- 111th Infantry
- Africans in America: The Civil War
- AmericanCivilWar.com
- Antietam National Battlefield
- Blood, Tears and Glory
- Civil War @ Smithsonain
- Civil War Journeys
- Civil War Soldiers and Sailors
- George N. Sherman of the 111th N.Y. Volunteer Infantry
- Illinois During the Civil War
- Illinois in the Civil War
- New York 111th Volunteers Home Page
- Selected Civil War Photographs
- Slavery Timeline
- The American Civil War Home Page
- The Civil War for Kids
- The Civil War Home Page
- The Emancipation Proclamation
- The History Place – U.S Civil War 1861-1865
- The Valley of the Shadow
Recent Comments
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11 Comments so far ...
I just wanted to tell you that I thoroughly enjoyed you providing these letter re: Manley online. They were fascinating and truly depicted what an ordeal the common soldier had to go through during the American Civil War. Thanks and kudos for enabling folks like myself to partake in such a fantastic endeavor. Jim L.
Comment on July 19, 2009 07:16 pmWell done, Marty. Well done. Not sure how you could top this, but I’ll bet you’ll think of something. I admire you for all the time and love you have put into this project.
Comment on August 4, 2009 04:38 pmGlad to see you completed the transcriptions. They would make a great book. I want to pass along word that my book on the 111th New York Infantry is now in print. You can see it here: http://www.mcfarlandpub.com/book-2.php?id=978-0-7864-4552-3
Thanks,
Comment on December 17, 2009 09:51 amMartin
Martin, thanks! I’ll have to get a copy which I think will help add much depth to these transcriptions and the 111th, which I know so little about.
A book is in the works. A lot of proof reading still to be done, and then of course finding a willing publisher.
Marty
Comment on December 17, 2009 11:12 amMarty,
That’s great news that you’re going to publish the letters as a book. Please feel free to let me know if I can help in any way.
Regards,
Comment on December 21, 2009 09:13 amMartin
These letters are thrilling to read. They personalize the Civil War and make it come alive in warm, unique ways. Hats off to you, Marty, on your fine work. Very impressive. I kept thinking as I read how here’s a young man from 148 years ago and we’re all “getting to know him.” You rescued him from history. Like I said, it’s thrilling–a true labor of love.
Doug Deuchler
Comment on May 31, 2010 07:53 amHello, Marty.
Thank you for these letters. It seems that your soldier knew or at least worked with my hubby’s great-great grandfather.
@ Martin Husk – if you are still reading this thread … your book mentions Adrian Contant writing a letter about his tent mate dying at Andersonville. Where did you find that information? His is my hubby’s relation.
Thank you both for your work.
Comment on May 22, 2012 02:03 pmJust stumbled upon this fascinating site and would like to thank you for what I am sure must have been a monumental task. This really brings insight into the daily life of a Union civil war soldier. Having a son the same age, I can’t help but feel the loss of his parents albeit 150 years later.
Comment on December 28, 2012 08:46 pmWhat are “paroled prisoners”? Were they captured and then sent home?
Comment on January 14, 2013 10:06 pmJan, It is a release, or exchange, of prisoners of war. Here is a link: http://www.civilwarhome.com/parole.htm (Google will find you a lot more.)
Comment on January 15, 2013 12:15 pmI stumbled upon this website while looking for letters written by members of the 111th NY. I am the author of a book titled: A Surgeons Tale: The Civil War Letters of James D Benton. Do you know if a James Benton is mentioned in any of the letters? Thank You
Comment on June 23, 2013 10:31 am