Manley Stacey Civil War Letters

Dear Father,

I received a Letter & Paper this AM, on my return from Picket, also a letter & 3 Papers this eve. the Barrel has not arrived yest, but hope to get it this week, I do not know when the QM, will go for them. A Commissioned Officer, has to get an Order from Brig Hayes, then go to Alexandria & sign a Receipt for them. when the things come I shall put them in the Trunk & lock them up, or else when I went on Picket, they would all be stolen.

I do not agree with you about dividing the Apples, I think I can dispose of them. Harve[y] & I, are trying to get another Tent, & be in a Squad by ourselves, This I will like a great deal better. I have no map of Virginia, though I would like a good Light one.

I do not know what to say about Charles, being a Drummer. nothing would suit me better than to have him with me, & to have him see the Country, but I fear the Hardships. I do not want to take the Responsibility on my Shoulders, of having him Enlist, though I should like to see him Drummer of Co D. They are in no Danger in Battle, being always in the Rear, but Boys, are the first to Die with Disease. If he was 3 years older, I would say Come, by all means, but as it is I can not.

I got 5 Letters to day, 2 from Home, 1 from A Yager Chicago, one from Dansville & one from SB, so you see I have news enough tonight. Tell Rosa I will answer her Letter next time. We had a Sermon this PM & the Regt sung one Hymn, & closed with the Doxology, I tell you it sounded good again. I will let Mr Brown have the Papers, when I read them. It is raining again to night as usual, Our Rainy Season has just commenced now, & that is where our [fro..] commences. I am living in hopes of being paid off, this week, but may be Disappointed.

March 9th. Dear Father I wish you many Happy Returns of the Day, this is your Birth Day I believe. Hope I see you, before you have another

Nothing New this morning

My love to all

Manley

Camp Hayes
March 10th 1863
8,30 AM

Dear Father

I little expected another letter last night from you but read none.

Yesterday morning one of the Biggest things of the War, happened at the Post. On the Fairfax Road we have reserved Pickets posted every night it is not a [reg….] Picket Post, but Reserve Pickets are posted every night, as they are on all the roads around here. The force on these Roads is about 24 men. Yesterday morning the Lieut having charge of the Reserve Picket on this Road, came in to Camp, before 4 AM instead of waiting, till after Revilee at 530 AM, as he had ought to have done.

It seems that, that night, a Squad of Rebel Cavalry, between 25 or 30, went to Fairfax Station, rode up to a Camp, rode up to the guard, threatened to shoot every man if they made the Least noise, or did not Surrender. They then captured Brig Gnl Stoughton, & Staff, & got the Countersign, from the Generals Pocket, for 4 or 5 days ahead, they then got about 30 Horses, rode from there till they came to our Reserve Picket Post, where one man crept up, & watched us, so that just as soon, as the Pickets left, they rode within 20 Rods of a Fort close to the 39th Camp, near enough to be halted by them. They then rode right around our Pickets, Posts No 1, 2, 3, being halted by every one, but paying no attention to them, they rode through, between two Posts, & so on, through to the Braddock Road, where, they went into their Lines.

This was a pretty thing all around, what made it worse, for us it was our Regt, that was on Picket. The Lieut, that had the charge of the reserves, will be Cashiered. If this Lieut had attended to his business we would have had them cornered, this was the only way for them to get out, & we would have had them certain. These Cavalry were dressed just like our men. This has caused a great deal of Excitement in Camp, to think we have been so foolish. I think the North will own up before long that the south is more of a Match for them, in Skill & Planning. Who ever heard of our men doing this.

There is nothing else of any interest going on in this Camp. I have not need the Barrel yet, do not know when the Teams, will go for them.

Yesterday I acted as Sergt, all day, much to the Chagrin, of Brothers Hutchins. Probably you know old Eldridge, that the Papers made so much fun about his bringing Whisky to our Camp, he has got his Son discharged, & says he does not want his boy in the Regt. If we had done right, we would have Drummed him out of Camp. I should not think Crowl, would have cheek enough to come to Lyons, I would not. He is a Regular Slink. You will never find me Home [as] such a Discharge.

Well I have no more time to write. Love to all

Manley

Camp Hayes
March 12th
6,15 PM

Dear Father

I should have written you this morning, but expected to get the Barrel to day, & would wait till then. Yesterday they told us that the Teams had gone, for the Express Boxes, & that they would be here tonight but as yet, they have not arrived, though they may come tonight.

Yesterday [Hunt] & I got a pass for the Rebel Barracks to get some Lumber, to Stockade our Tents. We got a nice lot of Boards & got a 125th Regt, Teamster to bring them in for us. to day Barney, Al, Aleck & I have been at work all day, Stockading the Tent. By Stockading we mean building a Foundation, about 2 feet high, & setting the Tent on top of it. Tonight, we are taken a little more comfort. We have now got good accomodations, & have got plenty of room for the Boxes & barrels.

Last night at 11,10 the long Roll Beat again. A man on Picket, fell down & his Piece went off. the Camp Guards, immediately, fired the Alarm, so we were called out, & loaded our Guns. the Boys are more careful, since that Raid the other night. I telegraphed to you from Cleveland, did not you get the dispatch. I would not say anything about the Candles, to Capt, what do I care if he Blames me Stealing the Candles, if I am innocent. The boys all know in the Co, who took them, that is enough. I will step in & take the [Preaching] on Sunday noon, after I have been to meeting.

Aleck takes the Republican so when you do not send it, I see it. There has been a great many rumors lately. about our going to Chicago, to guard Rebel Prisoners. Adjutant Knapp, when he was here told the Officers, that the Citizens of Chicago, had Petitioned for us to do the guard Duty there.

March 13, 6,30 AM. We have very cold nights here now, last night we took a little more comfort. The Boxes are to be here tonight. the QM, had a Telegraph dispatched yesterday saying they would be here to night. Today as good Luck would have it, I have got to go on Picket. there is but little news in Camp now, everything going off, same as usual.

Rebel Refugees are going through here every day, they say, they can not live South, You can see them all hours of the Day, going through with their Household Goods. I shall be glad to get the $5,00, if we are not soon Paid off, for I need it. when is the Capt coming back, he has stayed over his time. well I must close this, have to to get ready for Picket, & clean my Gun

Love to Maggie & all

Manley

——————–

Rosa

I am very sorry to hear you have been so Sick, you must not study so hard. I want you to keep well until I come home, for I shall want to see you. I wish you many happy returns of the day, Little Miss, & hope [when] you have another, that I shall be with you. I want you to take care of yourself. Take good care of Maggie

Kiss Maggie for me & tell her Manley sends her his love

I will to you soon again

Love to all

Manley

Camp Hayes
March 15th
6,30 AM

Dear Father

When I returned yesterday, I was Delighted to find that my Barrel had arrived, & that I had a letter from home. Of course the first thing was to open it. To my Sorrow I found that the Ham had spoiled, the Fried Cakes Mowldy, the Bread Mowldy, about half of the Apples rotten, the Pris spoiled. It was to [sic] bad, so much had to be thrown away. I was very glad to find the Tea pot, & Tea, it will be quite a change, from Coffee. the Paper & Envelopes, are all right glad to get them. So are the Paper Collars, the Gloves, Emery Cloth. the Havelock is tip top, much obliged to Mother. The Dried Fruit will come good.

You had ought to have been in our House (we do not call it a Tent now) last night, & have seen us at Supper, We had Tea, Bread & Butter, Dried Beef, Pickles, Preserves, Doughnuts & Cheese. Al, Barney & Aleck got a Box, yesterday, charges $3,75, so you see we have everything in the eating line.

The reports last night, was by the Officers of the Day, that the Rebs, have thrown out their Pickets, to the Battle field, if so they will be near ours. Of course this cut us a little talk, among us, we had just finished our house, got out Things, & now could take some comfort.

There is a Rumor in Camp, that Mack has his choice, of one of three things, take us to Washington & do Provost Duty, take us to Chicago & do Guard Duty, or tonight in Front, it is said that he has 9 days to make up his Mind. If this is so, we are Elected for the Front, because McDougal, will not take us to the Rear. He wishes to get some Honor, & wants to try us in battle. well we have nothing to say about it either way. Still another Report, that 5000 Rebs, have again crossed the Rhappahanock & that we were to be Reinforced.

I would say nothing more about Color guard to the Capt. I would ask no favor of him I am sure I would not.

Things are moving along about the same as usual, a little excitement about the Rebs being so near.

I reveived the Postage Stamps & currency you sent, & shall be glad to get the $5,00, My Boot Taps are all worn out, & I must get them Tapped. I got the Tin Spoon you sent in a Paper, but some one was kind enough to open the Paper, & so it got [J….ned] up.

Tell Charlie, that I will pay the charges on the Revolver, if he sends it. and another thing, I order him to send it, nor will he mind. I feel about half sick this morning, a cold & bad headache, but must get ready for Inspection as usual. I would give a Farm to be at Home today.

Love to all

Manley

Camp Hayes
March 14th
6,30 AM

Dear Father

I little expected a letter from you last night but was disappointed. I am on Guard again this morning so it will be short.

I like my Havelocks better every time & look at it, it will be good both summer & winter. It is the best one, that has been sent from Lyons. I got the Pepper Box, that Rosa sent. I am much obliged to her for it. It is just what we needed. I am very glad you sent me the Tea & especially the Sugar. That has been one of our greatest Troubles, we draw such small Rations of Sugar. We are living high now, & are living a great deal more comfortable, since we fixed our House.

there is but little News in Camp, we have had another lively Storm. Night before last we had a very heavy Thunder Storm, while it was Hailing Hard. this makes the second we have had, this Winter.

Have I told you that we have Recitations twice a week in Tactics at the Liets Room. It is a Big thing Corporals, have got to learn how to form a Battallion. McDougal is very strict with his Non Commissioned Officers, he makes them Toe the mark.

I have been feeling very miserable for the past few days, I have had a bad Cold, & it settled in my Head. This morning I am feeling all right again. The other night, because it stormed, Green thought we would be attacked, so he ordered the men to sleep with Boots & Clothes on. No other Officer in the Regt did the same thing.

The Col has just had a Barn built on the Ground, that makes me think we shall not move very soon. I wish we would, I am sick & tired of this Place, nothing going on here but military & all you can hear is the Bugle Call for some Drill or other. I would like a change.

I believe 5 Pr cent of a Co, now are allowed a Furlough at a Time, if so then I may come home some day on one, Suppose you mention it to the Capt.

Well I must close this letter, with love to all

Kiss Maggie for me

Manley

Camp Hayes
March 19th
8,30 AM

Dear Father

I received your letter of the 13th day before yesterday, while on Guard & should have answered it when I came off Guard but I felt too miserable, to do anything. I had Chills & Fever all day yesterday, & laid in my Tent. This morning I got some Medicine from the Doctor, but I hardly like the idea of Taking Quinine, every 2 hours.

Today the Right Wing goes on Picket, but as good luck would have it, I do not have to go today. You must loose [sic] a great many of my Letters, as I write at least 3 a week. I received 50 cts in Postage Currency, in the last letter. We hear nothing more about being paid off. Though the Officers think we soon shall be. There is nothing going on in Camp, have not Drilled for the past few days, as it has rained, or been too muddy.

Well I must close

Will write tomorrow

Manley

——————–

Charlie

I was glad to hear from you again, after so long a time. In regards to your Enlisting as a Drummer, I think you are better off where you are. Take my Advice & stay at home. In the first place, you never would live through the Service. A greater portion of those who Die, are under 20 years, they are the first to Drop off.  If you were 20 years old, I should say come on, but as it is, I never can. Take the Advice of a man that has seen over 7 months Service, & stay where you can live. Next Summer, if we are near Washington, I want you to come down & see us then you can judge for your self, I think you would like a Trip down to Washington.

enclosed I send in this Letter, a Letter D, to Maggie, & a crop to Rosa, they are made from the Bones of a man in the Georgia Regt, Rebel, as we found out by the Head Board. I will send you some thing before long, I am waiting to get out on the Battle Field. You say if you want to see me  alive again write for Fathers consent, rather than see you in the 111th, I would see you dead, for I know you never could stand it. Now just give up all idea of coming down here.

Love to all

Manley

Camp Hayes
March 21st
8 AM

Dear Father

I received your letters of the 16th, yesterday & will answer this morning. Last night, the Report came to our Camp, that 250 Rebel Cavalry were inside our lines, & that we were to keep a good look out for them.

This morning I am feeling a great deal better, & shall soon be all right. I received 50 cts in Postage Currency. I forgot to send the Letter Ds & the Cross, so I will send them in this. I always lend Tom Hooker, my Papers, as fast as I can get them. That is a very interesting Copy of the Tribune you sent me, shall take care of it.

Tell Mother every thing she sent, was just the thing just what we wanted. the Boys say they will throw away their Knapsacks, before they will the Tea Pot.

I did not pay for the Dispatch sent from Cleveland. I tried to send a Dispatch from Alexandria, when we came through there, but found, that I would have to pay in Advance, if an answer was not wanted, & that it would cost $1,50 so of course could not send it.

I suppose when I return from this War, you will not be living in Lyons. I wish I knew, where you would go next.

We are having another Snow Storm this morning, it looks but very little like Spring here now, The People here say this has been the roughest Winter known in several years here. Well It can not last much longer.

If Charlie should Enlist as a Drummer, he could not Enlist in this Co, as our Old Drummer has returned to Duty, from Chicago. The Letter D which I send to Charlie is made from a Bone taken from the House where Gongressmen [sic] Ely, was confirmed, by the Rebs, after he was taken Prisoner. Tell him to have a Breast Pin made of it.

At last we are to have a Regimental Band, col Mac, gives $25 a month, himself. Wont that set us up. I would give 3 a month myself. Nothing would please the Boys better then to have a Band. when we get the Band & have a Review by Genl Casey next Summer, you must come down & Bring Charlie, I want him to make a trip down here. there is nothing more, of importance

Give my love to all. Kiss Maggie for me

Manley

Camp Hayes

March 23d

8,15 AM

Dear Father

I have just come off from Reserve, last night, on the fairfax road, where the Rebs, entered a week or two ago.  We did a little better, than was done them, by not leaving our Post, until after Daylight. 

I recieved a letter from you yesterday, with a 11cts Postage Currency in it, Enclosed I send the Envelope, let me know if you sealed it up like it is, before you sent it.  I little mistrust it was opened right here.  It was sent the 11th, & I did not get it until the 22d, which I think is almost too long a time for a letter to come from Lyons.  Tell Mother that she can say what she likes, no one has forbidden her writing what she likes.  I do not know why you do not get  more letters from me, I write at least 4 a week.  I intend writing every other day, but sometimes, I can not write as often as that.

News is rather Stale, at present in our Camp, nothing going on.  I am in hopes that we shall get a little rest, from this Severe Duty, we are doing here now.  The 26th Michigan, that was here, before us, & that we relieved, are now in W doing Provost Duty, I should like it, if they would give us a little Rest too.  Wednesday is Picket again, it comes rather often, what with Camp Guard, Picket, & Reserve, it keeps us rather busy.

Williams has been in the Guard House, two Sundays running now, for Dirty Gun, he is getting very Shiftless.  He has acted since his return from Home, as if he would do, just as he pleased, I think he will be brought to [time].  Warren is under Arrest for telling the Orderly this morning that he would do just as he pleased.  I do not intend to get in any Scrape if I can help it.

I always take the Papers you send to Chap Brown, he is very glad to get them.  I like the Rochester Democrats, better than any other Paper, you send, there is more news in them.  New York Daily Papers are 10cts a piece here, so of course we can not afford that.  Baltimore Papers are 5 cts a piece, but they are worth nothing.

I think I get more Mail than any other man in the Regt, I know I do than any one in the Co.  Let me know about the Envelope

Love to all

Manley 

111th Regt. 3 Brigade Caseys Division, 22 Army Corps
Reserved Army Corps, Defences of Washington
Camp Hayes
March 24th, 63
6 AM

Dear Father

I received your letter of the 19th, yesterday, & I will answer this morning.

today we are to have a little change. Brig Genl Hayes is going to make this his Head Quarters. The 126th NY, & the rest of the Regt’s, in the Brigade, are going to move here. Lieut Green says Genl Casey talks of coming here, & making this his Head Quarters. We all hope this will be so, we then shall have a little easier time, not quite so much Picketing to do, though we may have our lines extended.

Last night about 8 PM, the news came, that the Telegraph Wire had been cut, between here & Union Mills, immediately we got the order to sleep with Clothes & Boots on, & be prepared for the Long Roll. It is reported that Stuart is in Loudon County, with 5000 Rebs Cavalry, some Infantry, & 50 Pieces of Artillery. Loudon County is but a very short distance from here, not more than 30 miles. Harpers Ferry is not more than 25 miles. It is reported that Communication is cut off, between here & Washington. We may have another Harpers Ferry scrape here.

Tomorrow is Picket again, well I do not object to it, when the weather is pleasant. Yesterday is was quite Pleasant, today it looks like Rain. One day it is pleasant & the next it storms.

You asked me if the Boys, shared their things, of course they did, every thing is common, we eat together, there is no such Division in this Squad. I shall be glad to get the Water Proof Blacking, as we can get none here that is good.

I shall keep you Posted in regard to [us], you need not write off, that Letter for [.insley] now.

Love to all

Manley

——————–
Camp Hayes
March 24th
8 PM

Charles Henry Augustus

I thought I could do no better, than write a short note to you, so will commence to night.

As usual it is raining hard to night, Of course it must rain hard, when we go on Picket, or just before. Tomorrow as good luck would have it, is my turn to go on Picket.

Today the 126th NY, came from Union Mills, also the 1st Pa Reserves, with the Keystone Battery. Now we shall have a little easier time, in regard to Picketing, but we shall have most likely more Drilling, than ever. I am getting heartily sick of that, especially, Battallion Drills the Boys all hate these. We need these however, for when we are in Battery, we shall want to know how to manuver [sic].

Granger says in less than 10 Days, we shall be moving towards Warrenton, I can see this. W H [Carr], has got his Discharge, Cooley is all right, I saw [Dilo] [Bellas] to day, he is Orderly Sergt in Co I, a26th. He is looking well and hearty.

March 25th, 5,45 AM. It has rained hard all night, & is raining now. I hope you have Settled down peacably, & have given up coming.  dont let Capt Holmes, get you under him, be just as free from him, as you now are.

This morning my Havelock will come in good, I tell you they are Bully things in wet weather here. Things look little like our being paid off, just now, we hear nothing more about it. I am beginning to dread the coming warm weather, Drilling is hard then.

I must close

Love to all

Manley

Camp Hayes
March 26th
8 PM

Dear Father

I received your letter of Friday, this morning on my return from Picket Post #6. Alas one from Mrs Stout. Enclosed I send the letters.

Everything went off all right, on Picket, nothing to disturb us. To night I feel very tired, returned from Picket, this morning at 10, & go on Battalion Drill at 1,45 PM. We now shall be pushed right ahead, as the Col, is no longer Comandant of the Post, Genl Hayes being here. we shall have one consolation, that is not having to go on Picket, as often, as we did. The Pickets will now be taken from the whole Regt, instead of the wings, as it was before.

Col Mac, is awful on the Drill, we are Drilled when no other Regts, turn out. It is reported to night that 2 Companies out of each of the Regts, here are going out to Warrenton, of this is so, then we stand a change to go, D & H, always go out to support a Battery. we have now got at this Post, 1st Pa Reserves Infantry, 39th, 111th, 125, Keystone Battery, 11th Mass Battery 1st Mich Cavalry. When Genl Casey gets his Division together, we shall have a great many Troops at this Poat. the 1st Pa reserves, is on of the oldest Regts in the field, some of the Co’s, have just 5 men left, some of the Co’s, are commandered by Orderly Sergts. You should see their Colors. I would like the Honor, of carrying back, a Flag, as full of holes, as theirs is.

They have these shelter Tents just large enough to lay down in, not to set up. there is a great deal of talk of our going on the Front, now Casey is coming here, well I do not care much, one thing is certain, we would have easier times in Front, not near the work. Our Picket Lines are to be thrown out, from this Post, this I am glad. we shall have to walk a little Farther, but the lines will extend through a Country that I have wanted to see.

the Days are getting a great deal longer here now, it is light at 5,30 now. I expect before long, that we shall have to Drill an hour before Breakfast. That I never liked. Sunday, I expect we shall have, Regt Inspection, of course. I would give much for a Rest now as I would have given last Winter.

Love to all

Manley