Manley Stacey Civil War Letters

Dear Mother

I received you letter of the 23d last night, & was very glad to hear from you again. The Postage Currency came to hand all right, & so to day I will get my Boots Tapped & fixed up. these Boots I have got now, do not wear near as well as the Boots, I got in Syracuse. This is an awful place on Boots, as we have a great deal of Marching to do, & over all kinds of Roads.

Today & tomorrow is our Holiday, tomorrow there is Regimental Inspection, so we have got all we can do, to day, to prepare for it. yesterday our Picket Lines were Thrown out, from here, the Posts are a great deal nearer together now, & a great deal better.

Our lines run through a Country that has not been injured by Soldiers. the Fences are still standing, something strange in this Country, for there are Thousands of acres of Land & no Fence, around it here. We however will soon fix the Fields, by Burning then up.

We have to go on Picket, next Tuesday, & stay 2 days, instead of one. This Plan I like much better. Yesterday was a warm & pleasant day, now it is raining hard.

In regard to the Furlough, I do not think it will succeed, though I hope it may. I took the Chap, down the Independant, last night, he told me had received a Letter from Father, in regard, to my getting a Furlough, & that he would do all in his Power for me, & would speak to the Col about it. I think you are rather hard on me not let me go any where, I suppose you know that I am used to night, marches, & while you were sleeping some night, I should think I heard the Long Roll, & Fall in for where I thought the Trouble was. I think you will have to Revoke that Order, if I should come home.

I do not think myself it would pay, to come home on a 10 day Furlough, there would not be time, enough at home to pay, for the Trouble. I do not think & could Borrow the money here to come home with it is too far from Pay day. I am in hopes, that we shall be paid off, before long, then I shall have $53,00, or 4 months Pay.

Genl Casey has not arrived here yet. It is reported that we are to be Reviewed next week by President Lincoln, Genl Hientelzman, Genl Casey. Wont I fix up then. I am well & all right again. Tell Charlie that I meant just what I said.

Kiss Maggie for me,

Love to all

Your Son

Manley

Write & let me know if you got the Crosses all right

Camp Hayes
March 29th
7 PM

Dear Father

I was a little disappointed today in not receiving a letter from you. We have had no mail since Friday, & then a very small one. Today we had Co Inspection, but we had 200 men Detailed, from the Regt, for Picket.

It is reported here now that we are to move to Warrenton, the Whole of Casey Division, it is said we are to move within 18 Days. It is reported also that we are to be Paid off also this week. it seems to be the General opinion, among the whole Brigade, that our days are numbered in Centerville. Well if we are to move to Warrenton, it will be Good Bye Furlough, & Good Bye Washington. Tonight we are Ordered by Genl Hayes, to have Canteens filled, & 24 hours Cooked Rations in our Havesacks. I think the old General is afraid of a Fight.

Mar 30th 6,15AM. We had an alarm last night about 11,30 PM. there was a man on Guard in each of the Co’s Streets, to wake then men up, instead of Beating the Long Roll. The Regt turned out well & was soon in Line. The Alarm, proved to be this. a man was Patroling [sic], between two Posts, on the Picket Line, (which is always done in the night). when they Halted him once, then two of the Guards fired on him. One Shot took effect, pasing through his Arm. Our Boys, mean something when they say Halt now. The mans, name was George [Geotzman] Co E, from Newark.

I am always sorry to have, monday morning come here, for then we have to go to work again. I am in hopes, we shall be paid off this week, we would not Complain. Our Picket Line is now 6 miles long. formerly it was 4. I expect we shall go on Picket again tomorrow, if we do not move before. I suppose Capt will return, to the Regt, this week, then things will move differently, in the Co.

As soon as I hear anything Positive, in regard to our moving I will imediately [sic] I will write

Love to all

Manley

Camp Hayes
6 AM April 1st 63

Dear Father

I received yours of the 24th & 27th yesterday, One with a $1,oo Bill & some Postage Currency, & the other 4 Stamps in. I received the Ague Pills, & will take care of them. I want you to keep a full account of all the money you send me, for in these hard times, I do not want you to be anything out. I think I have received all the Postage currency, you have sent, for almost every Letter, I have got some money. You ask me who I think opened my Letter, I am certain it was not the Boys in my Squad. I think it was done, by Catlin who carries the Mail. I have no Proof however.

I am hoping to get a Furlough, but am placing no dependence on it. The Col & all the officers might sign one, & then Heintzman refuse to sign it. However I shall hope.

Today I go on Picket, with 6 men, so I have but little time to write. There would be no such thing as Borrowing the Money, I should like to be Paid off, first. Those letters that I sent home, I made here, from a Rebs Bone, found on the Battle Field, 17th Georgia CS Army. That was the Inscription on the Head Board.

I do not, nor have I calculated, when I return home, to come to Lyons, I have never Calculated, on that.

Night before last, one of the 125th guard Shot one of the Keystone Battery Boys, for not Halting when challenged. the Ball went through his ankle. You could hear his Cries, all over the Ground. This is the way, shoot our own men, but not the Rebs.

I will write again on my return from Picket

Love to all

Manley

(in the top margin of the first page) H Carr has got his Discharge & is home
——————–

On Picket, Reserve Post
2nd Section, april 1st
9,30 PM

Charles Henry Augustus

I will now answer your last letter, in which you threaten so much, if I ever write such insulting letters as you call them. Now Charles, you will live to know the Truth of what I write. When your Brother, who is older & has seen more of the World, than you gives you advice, you should be very grateful. Now I do not want you to be too Obstropulous, or I may order you in Irons. Now will obey Me. Talk about your Family I think they trouble you a great deal, by your wanting to come off & leave them, You have got all you can [to] tend too [sic], if you see that my Family do not suffer.

Well things are moving off in Camp, about the same as usual, the same Routine, Picket, Camp Guard & Drill I never liked Rainy days until I enlisted, now they are Holidays, if we are lucky enough not to be on Duty. Talk about a man, getting lazy in the Army, it is just possible. I am actualy [sic] tired all the time, Come off Picket at PM, go on Battallion Drill from 2 to 4,30 PM, Double Quick at that, then Dress Parade at 5 PM, when you must have your Boots Polished & Gloves White & clean. And then to cap it all, it almost always happens, that we have an alarm in the middle, of the night.

Then there is another thing, we have to sleep, with Pants & some times Boots on. how do you think a mans Rest can do him any good, under such circumstances. If I ever should, come home, I expect I should, be getting up in the middle of the night, & think the long Roll was beating. I should most likely, pull you out of Bed, & tell you to fall out. Charlie, this Picketing is lovely business, the orders, strictly forbidding, a man to sleep, so I have to write to keep awake. Now of all times, we have to keep wide awake, It was reported that the Rebs, are falling back this way, & so we must be prepared for them.

Enclosed I send you in this a Piece, of the Wooden guns that the Rebs, manned the Forts, around here with. They were, made of Oak logs shaped like a Canon, then scorched Black, These were the Pieces since called Quaker Canon, that Frightened McClennan [sic] so. I would give a small Farm (not my 160 Acres) if you could see the miles of Earth Works, the Rebs have thrown up here, also the Forts, around here.

My Post this time, is Head Quarters in an old House owned by a Good Union Man, Flagler. He was confined in Richmond Prison 6 months. He had 300 Acres of land, but everything is Destroyed., the Gov, even had to move him to Washington. This House was Built in 1803. there is a Fire Place in every Room. It was once an old mansion, but is now almost destroyed. Talk about chimneys, how would you like, to see some, 4 feet through, & 10 feet wide. All of the chimneys here are built on the outside of the Houses. Now Charlie, I have taken a great deal of pains, to write this Letter, I am sitting in the Corner, by an old Fire Place, with a very poor fire, writing to you, Now see if you can do as well by me

Remember me to your Friends

Stacey

——————–

On Picket April 1st
Reserve Post 12 midnight

Dear father

I have written quite a long letter to night to Charlie, & shall hope that all trouble is settled in that quarter.

This is lovely Business, sitting up all night, & keeping awake. We have just been visited by the Grand Rounds, they told us, that the news, had come to Camp, that a Rebel [Mail] had left there today, & would most likely try to pass our lines, somewhere. what is the use of that, they can go through if they chose. we have just got news from a Post on our Left, that a man had come up, to their Post Mounted & that they had let him Pass most likely it was that Mail. See what the [Carelessness] of that Corporal has done.

I was very glad to hear, that DuTassi had been Dismissed the Service. Prehaps [sic] you have not heard all the charges, that was preferred against him. In the first place, he drew Pay, for his Brothers, 6 months before they left, Germany, 2nd Sergts acted as Lieuts, & he drew the Extra Pay, he also picked up about 50 Guns, on the Battle field, had them cleaned up, then sold them out to Visitors. I could not write all the charges against him. Did I ever tell you of the Trip I had once with him, I was his Orderly one day, on Provost Guard & he wanted me, too [sic] Black his Boots, I told him I did not enlist to black boots, so I would not do it. He said you no Black my Boots Hey, Says I, no Sir.  Our Col, reduced a Corp in the Regt, for that.

6,15 AM April 2d. All had been quiet during the night, it was a Beautiful Moonlight night, clean & Still, just the night, for Picketing. Now the wind is blowing up again, & will soon snow. Now while I write this, I & the Sentry are the only ones awake on the Post. Lieut Granger, being fast asleep. To be sure it is Daylight, but then all had not ought, to sleep at once.

It is now pretty certain, that the Mail did go through, yesterday afternoon. the man that they passed through, had a Pass signed by Heintzman & Casey, Dated yesterday, now when you see we are at least 40 miles from Washington, that He went through about 4 PM, that these Officers, sign no Passes, before 11AM, you will see the thing is impossible. This man had no Side Arms on, & that he pretended, to be one of the cavalry, who just wanted to go out a short distance, to make some Cavalry Picket Posts. The Regulations, strictly says, a man, must have his, side Arms on, when on Duty. so you see, what a Fool, that Corp, was, & how much depended, on his doing his Duty. Even Corporals have some Responsiblility on their Shoulders. Thank God, it was not our Regt, it was the 125th NY. They never will get me in such a Scrape. I know my Duty, too well. The Capt who had Comand [sic] of the Section, will most likely get, Cashiered, through it.

There is some talk of our being Paid off, this week, I hope we may.

Last Sunday, I took a Stroll around Centerville, I called on an old Slave holder who has always lived here, he Professes to be a Good Union man. He has three Daughters, but they are out & out Secesh. One of them Said, My husband is Fighting for the CSA, & I glory in it. Dont you think that Strong. I had a very interesting talk, with the old Gentleman, & learned a great deal, about this Place. His House was Head Quarters, for both Federal & Rebel Officers.

7,15 PM April 2nd

Father I was Relieved from Picket this AM, at 10, got to Camp, at 12. This PM we had a very hard Battallion Drill, we marched, about 2 miles in a rough woods, then Fired about 20 Rounds of Blank Cartridges, being drawn up in line of battle. We then Drilled in marching in Retreat, Changing Baynets &c &c, till I was completely tired out. No sleep last night, & then Drill hard this PM. Today Lieut Green said we, should be Paid off, tomorrow, or next day, I think we shall get it this week certain.

Lieut Green told me to night, that he had read a letter, from You, asking a Furlough for me. He said he spoke to the Col, about it, & the Col said, if I could get a Certificate from the Doctor, he would give me the Furlough, Green spoke the the Doctor, & he says he cant do that. Green says he thinks Col, will give me the Furlough, that he would do his best to get it for me. I think that if there is any such a thing, Green will get it. However do not expect me, till you see me. I should like to be paid off, & the get it. Green says I could not get one for more than 20 Days. I told him if I could not get one as long as that I should not go. I shall go & see the Chaplain tomorrrow.

I will write you as soon as anything turns up.

Love to all Manley

got a letter from J [Voak] today all well

I will write to Rosa next time

Kiss Maggie for me.

Camp Hayes
April 4th 63
5,45 AM

Dear Father

I received your letter of the 30th yesterday with 50cts Enclosed. I have heard nothing definite about the Furlough, this morning I shall call on the Chap, & see what he thinks about it. I do not know whether, I have acknowledged, all the Money, you sent or not. I think however I have.

Today & tomorrow we have nothing to do, I never needed a rest more in my life, For two days past, we have had very hard Drills, Double Quicking us, until we could hardly, drag myself along. The day before, we Drilled in Firing Blank Cartridges. I am expecting to hear every day, that we are to have a Brigade Drill, then we shall have a Sticker. It was reported yesterday, that the Pay Master was at Union Mills, & was to come up here today, I hope he will come up soon.  Going to Washington is getting played out again. You say if I should get a Furlough before, Pay Day, to borrow the money of the Chaplain & let him Draw. I could not do that, no one, unless it be my Capt, could draw my money.

I am very glad to hear the House is so near Paid for. It will relieve you of a great Burden, I have no Doubt. Now we can improve, & know we are working, for ourselves. I should like to work about three months on the Place now. Do not place any dependence on my coming Home, for I can not even hope yet, It is a very hard job to get a Furlough here.

We are having Recititations in Tactics, twice a week at the Lieuts. they are very interesting to me, & besides I have learned a great deal Even on Battallion Drill I can tell, what is to be done. I am carrying myself very straight, in Col’s Presence, always coming to the Position of a Soldier, Heels on the same line, Toes turned out equally, forming little less than a Right Angle &c &c.  He noticed me very particularly yesterday.

Last night I made the 11th Mass, Battery Boys a Call, They had Quartett singing &c. They are a splendid lot of Boys, it does a man good to talk to them. They are Perfect Gentlemen. Their Time is out, next month, while ours, 2 years & 4 months. however we can stand it. I have not been so tired & lame in a long time as I am this morning, I am stiff all over.

Manley

Miss Rosa

I was very glad to hear, from you, the other day & should have answered it before, but have no time.  I am glad to hear you can ride Horseback, so well, I shall have to come home & see about it. I suppose if I come home you will let me take the Horse to go & see my Girls around the Country. I should have to do that by all means. Have you commenced studying French yet, I shall hope, to see the day, that you are an accomplished, Scollar [sic]. Remember the Gold Watch the Day, you Graduate

I like to hear from you often, they are such sensible little letters

Kiss Maggie for me

Your Brother

Manley

———————

Camp Hayes April 4th 8 PM

I received a letter from George today, which had altogether to [sic] many Flourishes to suit a Soldier. there was but very little News in it.

We little expected Capt today, as it was reported that, they left Home on Wednesday last. Tonight it is snowing hard, & the wind is blowing very hard, so that we are afraid the Tent will go over. This Afternoon, the Color Sergt, came to my Tent & said the Colonel told him to detail his Color Guard, so at last I am in the Color guard. I expect it will be read tomorrow afternoon on dress Parade. I am the sergts, right hand man. Now Good Bye, Picket, Camp Guard, Reserve & all this trouble.  I went down, to see how the Chaplain was getting along about the Furlough, as there was several in, I did not mention it, I take the Papers regularly, to him, when I get them. I am afraid this being in the Color Guard, will make a difference, to my Furlough. However I hope not.

Tomorrow, if it is Pleasant we have General Inspection, by Genl Hayes, Dont we hope it will storm. the Paymaster has not arrived yet, though we hope to see him soon. You can form no Idea, how Strict our Col, is getting, the Boys all say, He is making Regulars of us, No other Col in the Brigade, compels a man to go on Battallion Drill, the same day, that he comes off Picket. This is Positively Cruel, no rest the night before, then Drill 2 hours & a half. the Col is very anxious to have the credit of having the Best Drilled Regt in the Field, then we shall be shoved in Front.

April 5th 5 AM. Last night I was Detailed as Street guard with 2 men, so I slept until 3 AM, & have kept a watch the rest of the time. the snow is about 4 inches deep & is Snowing hard all the time, so this Plays out our Inspection. Long Rolls are played out in our Camp, Now we have a Guard nights, whose Business it is to rouse the men up, & get them out as silently as possible. This is altogether the Best plan, for by Beating the Drum, you would let the enemy know just where we are.  just as we were going to bed last night, the order came for the men, to have everything ready to fall out, that the Rebel Cavalry, lay within 50 Rods of our Picket line. It turned out like a great many other things do, nothing in it.

Yesterday it was reported in Camp, that there was some chance, of our Going as Heintzmans, Body Guard. It would be an Honorable Position. Here it is Sunday again, I think more of home on that day, than any other. I am feeling very well again now, though tired out, something like I felt last winter. I shall not be deprived of my night Rest as much now, & that is a great deal. We hear nothing farther about our going to Warrenton, it has hushed up again.

I shall hope to hear from you today

Love to all

Manley

——————–

Charlie

I am sorry to hear from Father, that you are not very steady, & that you were not doing very well. I am very sorry for this Charlie. I have great hopes in you, & now of all times, you should do what you could, to make Home pleasant, instead of being so wild. I have passed through all of these things & know just how it will end, you are only harming yourself. You will one day see the Folly of your course & will bitterly repent the course you now are pursuing. now is the time to turn,

If I am taken away now, who is Mother to Depend upon, who is to support the Family if Father is taken away. Charlie I want you to think of these things, If I had not thought of these things, I should not have left Home, as contented as I did, if I had not thought, you would do your best. I hope you will do better in the Future. remember, there is a great deal depending on you, you must fill my Place & do your best. Now Charlie I hope you, will take this kindly, & let me advise you a little. Charlie I hope to see, you occupying a good Position in Society. I wish you would confide a little more in me do not be afraid of a Brother, you have no better Friend than me.

Now Charlie write me a good long letter

Your Loving Brother

Manley

Camp Hayes
April 7th /63

Dear Father

I have been expecting a letter from you for several days past but do not yet have received none. I have not been as long without a letter from Home in a long time.

I have heard nothing more about the Furlough for the past few Days. So I do not know how it is getting along. The Col has not yet made the Detail of Color Guard or has not had it read on Dress Parade.

We have not done anything since Saturday night, Sunday it was Stormy, so we had no Inspection, yesterday we had no Drilling. All seem to think we shall be paid off, this week However I can see but little signs of it. We are hoping praying Daily for him.

We have now a little easier Time Table to go by. 5 AM Revilee, 5,30 AM Sick call, 6,30 AM Breakfast, 7,30 Guard Mounting, 9,30 to 10,30 Co Drill, Dinner 12,30 Battallion Drill from 2 to 4 PM, Dress Parade at 6 PM, Tattoo at 8,30 PM Taps at 9 PM. Altogether it makes a very long Day. Today I am on Guard, the last time I hope.

Last night we had some Wheat Pancakes. We got Lieut Green, to get us some Flour, only 4cts a pound. I tell you it reminded me of home. I am very much afraid I shall not be able to get Home, It would be too much good luck, to ever happen to me.  I see by the Republican, that Capt Holmes, leaves Home today. I suppose you will send the Revolver by him.

There is but little news in Camp. I received the English Paper you sent, also a Rural New Yorker, from Mrs Stuart. I think more of the [Rock] Democrat than all the Papers put together. so I will not ask you to send any other paper. Genl says he does not intend to have us work quite as hard as we have for he has got some Fighting & marching for us to do, before long. Well let it come. I think I shall hear from You today.

My love to all

Manley

Camp Hayes
April 9th
6 AM

Dear Father

I received your letter of the 4th Yesterday. I had begun to think I never should hear from home again, as I had not heard from you since the 3rd. I had received several Papers but no letter. We have had several changes here for the Past few Days, Lieut Col Smith has Resigned, so now we need a new Major. I have heard, that the Col, has said, Capt Holmes, is the Man, if that is so, there will, be some changes in this Co.  And if Dreyer gets his discharge, there will be 2 Sergts to make. The Col has not had, the Detail of the Color Guard read yet though I expect he will soon. The Paymaster has not made his Appearance yet, though we hope to see him this week.

We have had but little Duty to do this week, the Col has been Sitting on a Court Martial, at Head Quarters. They have been trying one of the 39th NY, for the Murder of one of his Co, He stabbed him in the Night, in 7 different Places. Since he has been in the Service, he has murdered 5 men, but has managed, to get clear so far. He will either be shot or Hung, before, all the Regts here. He says he wants to kill 3 men more before he dies, one of them is D Utassi. He has been kept in our Guard House for a month past, heavily Ironed.

We are getting along nobly in our Class in Tactics, Col says we have got the best, Instructed, class of non commissioned Officers in the Regt. I am afraid I shall get [stepped] up on the Furlough, I have given up all Hopes now. I am sorry, for I would like a Rest. Tell mother I have no Objection to fixing up the Place at Clifton, but I must see this through, first. It would not look well to leave just now. nor do I think Mother would wish to see me unless I came Home Honorably. Now I am going to have my Nights rest, that is a great thing in the Army.

we are little expecting the Capt, here today, or tomorrow. we have had some Pancakes for the past few Days. This is the way I mixed them. [Salenatus], Cold water, Salt & Flour, ask Mother if that is right.

I shall hope to hear from you again soon

Love to all

Manley

——————–

Dear Rosa

I will now answer your last letter. I am glad to hear you have improved so in Riding Horse Back, I suppose you will be riding at the Fair, in the Fall. I suppose you had a part in the Exhibition last week & astonished the Natives by your Eloquence. I was in hopes, of being able to come home & see you, but I am afraid it is Played out, now. I should like to come Home & try that new horse, by riding in the country a little, that is if you would have no Objections.

Well I must close as the breakfast call has just Beat & you know I never was late to Breakfast.

My Love ot Maggie

Your Brother

Manley

Camp Hayes Centerville
Co D 111th Regt NYSV
April 10th 1863
9,45 AM

Dear Father

I am now having [a] little easier times in the Co, all the Drilling I have to do, is Battallion in the Afternoon, for an hour & a half. Tomorrow we have got to Muster, it is reported, that it is to find out many men, we have fit for Duty, & that we are to have Drafted men to fill up the regt, I hope this is so, as it will make it easier for all. The Detail for Color guard has not been read yet. Barney, Francisco, was yesterday Detailed as Ajutnats Clerk, a tip top Position for him. there he will have no Picketing to do.

7,30 PM I received your letter of the 6th this PM. As yet we have seen nothing of Capt, or his men, though we thought certainly thought he would. Mother is right, about Dreyer, you have to make an allowance for what he says. As to his being Hospital Stewart, that is all [G….on]. He is right, however, about Greens, marrying Catlins Sister. I thought I told you of that long ago.

I have heard no more about the Furlough, prehaps [sic] when the Capt, returns, he will help me. I am almost afraid afraid [sic], it will not work. I hope it will for the Lord knows I want to come Home, if but for a few days. we have not seen the Paymaster yet, nor is there any signs. of it at Present. I took the Chap, the Democrat this afternoon, with his letter in. [Utassi] did not send me to the guard House, he knew, he had no right to compel me, to black his Boots

[Flaglers], was where, my Picket Post, was with Granger, He does not live there now. He got so Poor that the Govt had to move him to Washington. He has a Splendid Farm but it does him no good it was in his house, that Ely was confined, & he was taken to Richmond with him. You thought I did not have a very good visit, with the old Slave holder, far from it, He was very cordial, but his Sentiments & mine did not agree. His Daughters was down, on us, poor Soldiers.

I shall be glad to get the things, by Dreyer they are just what I wanted, especialy [sic], the Blacking & Powder, to clean Buttons. We are having Splendid weather here now, & if it was not for the Drilling, we would get along. I am getting sick & tired of hearing the Drum Beat for Drill. I would not know what to make, if laying in bed, & not have to get up, to Revilee. There is a Report here of a Row in Richmond, about Provisions. I hope it is so. We have got to Draw, new Suits of clothes, next month. Well I must close for I have a great deal to do

Yours

Manley

——————–

Miss Rosa

I sincerely hope you will succeed in your Examination, so that you can get up as soon as possible. I do not want you to study to hard however, you must take the Advice, of your Aged Brother Manley. A man who has seen as much of the world as I have

April 11th, 5,15 AM. Just had a pretty good nights rest. Today, we go on Inspection & Muster. I do not like these Regt Inspections. I will write again tomorrow.

Your Son

with Love to all

Manley

Camp Hayes
APril 12th /63

Dear Father

I little expected a letter yesterday by the Capt or Dreyer, but received none. Capt arrived here, about 3 PM, Dreyer about 5 PM. I recieived from Dreyer some Cookies, 1 Box of Blacking, 100 Cartridges, The Neck Ties & Powder, The Paper & Envelopes, also the Emery Cloth. I did not get, the Revolver, Dreyer, says, someone Stole it from him, in New York. He brought the Case & Strap, but no Revolver.

The boys were all glad, to see Capt Holmes, I think there is no Doubt of his being the next Major. He is a great Favorite, with, the Colonel & is the first Capt, in the Line of Promotion. Granger is working for Capt, if Capt is Promoted, but He will get slipped up on it.

I am feeling very miserable this morning, I have got a very bad cold, coughed a great deal yesterday & last night, so that my Lungs feel very sore.

there is a Report in Camp that we are to move towards Washington. Our Orderly told me yesterday, that Genl Hayes, had received an Order, for his best Regt, to be sent to Washington, & that He says we are the best Regt. Another thing makes me think something is up, we have got Orders, to Draw new clothes, by the first of next month. Now if we were going into the Field, we would not want good looking clothes. We would not want good looking clothes to fight in.

There is but little news in Camp, Yesterday we had Reg Inspection, this morning, we have Co Inspection. just so much Form, to go through with. I shall hope to hear from you today

Love to all

Manley

——————–

Camp Breaking up
8th Co right in Front
Battallion Guard [Fa..]

Camp Hayes
Centerville Va
Co D 111th Regt NYV
April 12th
3,15

Dear Father

At last we have got marching orders. About noon, the whole Brigade, got orders, to march, tomorrow morning at 10 AM to Falmouth, or to join Genl Hookers Army, Some say, we are going to Cul, peppers [sic] (Culpeppers, Va.) by the way of Warrenton. We have orders to have 3 Days Cooked Rations in our Haversacks, & the QM, to have 3 Days, with him. This will play, out the Furlough, for if we move to the Front it will be hard to get one. Well I am glad to get the orders to move, though I should have liked the Furlough first.

We Draw, the Shelter Tents before we leave here. They are Lovely Things, we have to carry them, on the top of our Knapsacks. My Sugar, will come good on a march, also the Tea. Things are all in Confusion, in Camp today, but not as much as there will be tonight, you had ought to see a Regt, when it is Breaking up, talk about Confusion. I expect, the Detail of the Color, Guard, will be made on Dress Parade tonight

April 13th 5,45 AM the Detail for Color Guard was not read last night so I may not be in after all, just as the Capt says. The order on Dress Parade last night, read, we was allowed one Shelter Tent for 2 men, & that we were to move early today. We shall not get away very early, thats certain. I am going to carry with me 2 shirts, 2 Pr Drawers, 1 Pr Pants, 1 Blouse, Dress coat, 1 Over Coat, 1 Pr boots, 1/2 Shelter Tent, 1 Woolen Blanket, 1 Rubber Blanket, 1 Cartridge Box, 1 gun, 1 Haversack, My Paper & a few Extras. We have filled the Trunk with Things we are going to leave here, it will be sent to Washington, & stored for us.

All is Confusion in Camp. My cold is a little better this morning, shall soon be all right again

Give My Love to all

I will write as often a Possible, until we get settled, If we go by Alexandria, I may Drop a letter from there

Your Son

Manley

(in the top margin)

I wish you would send me a $1,00 worth of Stamps & I will settle Pay Day

Camp Hayes Centerville

April 13th 1863

8,45 PM

Dear Father

We have not as yet moved, though we expect to soon. Today we got all Packed up, then got no orders to move, so we have Co Drill in the morning, & Battallion Drill in the afternoon. It is reported now, that we are to move early tomorrow morning. I do not think we shall go, quite as quick as that. this afternoon it was reported, that we should move tonight.

April 14th 5,15 AM.  Still we have no orders to move, The Col said last night, we should go some time this week he did not know what day. a Lieut in Co C, told me yesterday, that the report was, there was [20,000] Rebs at Warrenton, & that we should join our Division which would be 20,000 Strong, & go out there last night have our Drill just to blind them.  I should not be much surprised if we did not move at all, though we are all Packed up. Our Squad Packed the Trunk full of things we are going to leave,, though I do not know where they will be stored. We are all in Confusion here, everything Packed up.

My cold is a little better this morning, I do not cough any more.

The Idea seems to prevail among the men, that if we leave here, it will be only for a Scout, & that we shall return here again. I do not believe this however, if we once get started, we shall go down in Front. We have seen nothing of the Paymaster yet, nor do we hear any more about him. I am afraid we shall get slipped up, on the Pay.

I am very glad to get the Rock Democrats, you send. I think more of them than any other Paper. I think I shall write a letter to the Dem, in a few Days.

You are very much mistaken, about the vices of Camp life, to be sure there is a great deal, that is bad going on, but not near as much as you would think, among so many men. The worst [C…] is Card Playing, just to pass away the time, nothing more, this would not be, if there was plenty of reading, or anything to amuse them.

Tell Charlie that I do not call that last, a letter, I want a Sheet full. We are having warm pleasant weather here now, Spring in earnest, only different from yours, by having such cold nights. I shall have a talk with the Capt, today, about the color Guard, I shall see whether there is any [r]ight, outside for me.

My Love to all

will write just as often as possible

Manley

Camp Hayes
April 15th 63

Dear Father

There is but little news to write this morning, but I thought you would be anxious to hear from me, so I thought I would write a few lines. The order, for our marching is not yet Countermanded, but we do not move. We are still all in confusion, expecting, every day, that we will go in the morning. I think if we leave here we shall go to Culpepper by the way of Warrenton. It is about 30 miles from here, to go over the Bull Run Battle Field, through Manassas Gap. I hope we shall make this move, I am anxious to go through this Country. This Country & Prince William, looks better than any other part of the State.

there is no sight of the Paymaster yet, I am afraid it is played out. I shall want to see the PM, before we leave here. I should think, if we were going to make an advance movement, that we should be paid first. It is raining hard, here today, so we have got a Holiday. I have not had a talk yet with the Capt about the Color Guard. I shall try & speak to him today, & ask him, what the prospect is of getting a Furlough. I am afraid however it is played out. I have not heard any thing, from the Chaplain, about it, so I do not know, whether he had done any thing or not.

The Boys are all anxious to go in Front, as most of them have friends, in the Regt there. I think I should find some I knew. It was reported here yesterday, that Hooker had, been Fighting at Frericksburg, & that we had Possession of the Place, both of the Batterys Fired a Salute in honor of the event. We have 2 splendid Batterys here of 6 Guns each, one of them, their time is out in 4 weeks, the other in 4 months.

Well I don’t know any more news to write.

Will write again tomorrow

Love to all

Manley