Manley Stacey Civil War Letters

Camp Hayes
April 16th /63
5,30 AM

Dear Father

I received your letter of the 10th yesterday & now answer it, though have not much news to write. there is but little danger of our moving today, or tomorrow, as it is too muddy. We shall have to wait a few days, till the Roads are better. It was reported just yesterday, that the 1st Brigade from the Court House, had gone, & the 2nd, from Union Mills, also the troops from Chantilly. If this is so, most likely we shall have yet to go. It is reported here now, that if Regts muster, less than 500 men they will be Consolidated. Also that only 3 Sergts & 21 Corporals, are allowed for less than 80 men. If this is so, I shall not go in the Color Guard.

I have had no chance to talk with the Capt yet though I have tried. However Furlough, is played out. It is now so wet & muddy, that we can not Drill, move or any thing else, a good time for the Soldiers to rest. There is one thing I must have, when I get my pay, that is Caseys United States Infantry Tactics. they are now used instead of [Handees].

I do not know who will pay the postage Bill, but does Mother propose to stop it, on account of expense. I am sure that getting letters & Papers from Home, does me more good, than it costs, I would not be with out the letters & Papers for a great deal.

We are in Caseys Division instead of Heintzlemans. That reminds me, if we move from here, you will have to add, to the, direction, like this 3d Brigade Caseys Division. Troops in the field, need this Extra.

I should be very glad, if I can not get a furlough, if you would come down here, it would do you good, & I should like to have you see, some of the sights here. If I can not come Home, I will give you $30,00 of my Pay, towards it. I know it would be expensive, but I think you can afford it. I can fight a great deal better, if I see some of you, before I commence. I hope you see this in a different Light, & conclude to come down, with them.

So you say, I think a great deal of the Tea, & take a great deal of comfort, with my tin Cup of Tea & Hard Tack. you do not know, what kind of a scrape you get into, when you, offered, me all the Pan cakes I could eat if I come Home. You have never Boarded a Soldier.

I had quite a compliment, the other day in a letter, from Hattie, She Speaking of some Soldiers, that had returned on a Furlough, said they seemed to act, perfectly natural. I do not think I have forgotten everything I ever knew.

This is a model letter a little of everything, but I guess it will pass.

All seem to think, we shall move yet. Our Hospital is taken Down. the Sick, taken to Alexandria, those unable to walk, to the Convalescent Camp, at Alexandria. I am at a stand still now whether to go in the color Guard or not. I can tell better, when I talk with Capt.

Will write soon

Mylovetoall

ManleyTStacey

Camp Hayes
April 18th /63
6,30 AM

Dear Father

I received your letter of the 13th, yesterday, so will answer this AM. You will see, we have not moved yet, nor is there any unusual signs, of moving. Every thing is moving along the same as usual, except we have but few Rations. The Rations were all turned over to the QM, last Sunday, except the 3 days we had in our Haversacks, & for some reason or other, we can Draw, no Fresh ones. I do not know what I should have done if I had not got the Tea & Sugar, from Home.

Yesterday, both of the Batterys here, were Shooting at a Target, 2 miles off, they made some pretty good Shots. We have Drilled, quite often, in Firing Blank Cartridges. I like the Drill, but not cleaning the Gun.

I did not think it was any Fault, of yours, my not hearing from you oftener, I get more Mail & hear from Home than any other man in the Co. I have not had a chance to talk with the Capt yet, though hope to soon. Dont think any more about the Furlough, for I shall not come Home on one, so you will have to come down here & see me. You do not know how hard it is to get a Furlough, If I were Sick, it would be different.

No News from the Pay Master yet, I am afraid we shall not see him yet in awhile. I do know what [T…] you mean If it is Hunter, it is a mistake, he is here, all right. That man from the 39th had had his Trial and Sentence, but we do not know what it is, the Sentence has gone to Washington, for the Presidents Approval, when it is returned, then we shall know. I want to see the Man Shot, He will most likely be Shot, before the Regts.

You ask me if we hear the News from Washington, we do hear the Rumors but nothing different, unless we get the Chronicle only 10cts. The Detail for the Color Guard, has not been read yet, when I have a talk with the Capt I can tell what to do, & not before, There are a great many advantages in belonging to the Guard but there would be many more, in being Sergt. I just like Capt Holmes stand the first chance of Promotion, The report about reducing the [ ] of the non & Commissioned Officers is all Bosh, I do not think there is anything in it

Love to all
Will write tomorrow

Manley

Camp Hayes
April 19th 1863
Sunday morning 10 AM

Dear Father

I have just returned from Regimental Inspection, I was Inspected by the Ajt. The Colors & Guard are Inspected the first thing, so we do not have to stand long.

This is a Beautiful morning, just such a one as I would like to be at Home, just about this time you are going to Church, while I have nothing to do, but lay around. We can get but very little reading in Camp. I am the best off, as I can get more Papers than any of the rest of them.

I spoke to Lieut (Green) this morning, about the Furlough, he says he spoke to the Col, about it & he says, unless I can get a Certificate from the Doctor that he can not give me one. Green says he spoke to Capt Holmes, about it & he said he did not know, whether I could get one or not. So you see, my Furlough, is played out. I am sorry for that as I need a short rest. It would do me a great deal of good. Well I shall give it up for now. I hope you will come down here, & make a short visit. I know it is Expensive, but it will do both good. Do not look for me home now, as there is but one chance in 100 of my coming home. So you had better make up your mind to come down, when Francisco & the rest come.

It is reported now, that we are to be paid off on Wednesday, I hope it is so, for I need some Money. There is no more news, of our leaving here, so after all we may not go, yet in awhile. We shall however soon take the Field, we never will stay here. For my part, I would as soon go, as stay here.

We are begining [sic] to have very warm weather here, I dread the Warm weather here, We are pretty well Tanned up now but will we be, when we get down South Farther. I hear that Barney sent home, for [money] to go home on a Furlough, He had better wait a little. It is singular to me, that Hookers Army got short Furloughs, & why cant we. I must have a short talk with the Capt today, about things in General, though it will do no good.

The only way we can amuse ourselves here Sundays, is to walk around the Country. I wrote on the Envelope of my last letter, for some more Emery Paper, like the last you sent that is just the thing, it Polishes up a Gun tip top. If you get a chance, to send anything tell Charlie, to send me a good Fish Line, also, 1/2 Doz, good Hooks, different sizes, none of them large. There is quite a number of Streams around here & I am going Fishing some of these days.

Last night Signal Lights were seen, over to the South of us, we came very near, being turned out.

3,15 PM. Harvey & I just returned from a walk on the Chantilly Road or as some call it the Stone Mill Road out at the Mills, I found a man who came, from [Skineattas], 16 years ago. He & Wife are good Union Men. Their Son is in the North, for if he were at home the Rebs would Draft him & says she I would rather kill him than have him in the Rebel Army. He is only 15 years old. She says she has seen, Boys, in the SC Regts, only 14 years old. This man is well acquainted, with Louis Millard, he lives 8 miles from here, at a Place called Gum Spring. He says he is still a good Union Man, though he dare not come out too openly. His Boys are both in Dundee going to school. Here I saw an old negro, who gets all the news he can & then carrys it outside the the Rebs. This old Fellow lives at a Rank Seceshionists, inside of our lines. The man has a Son & Son in Law, in the Rebel Army.

So we had a very pleasant time altogether, though it seemed but a little like Sunday. Barney is Cooking Dock leaves, for Green, so we are going to have a Supper. There is a good Prospect of Barneys being Regimental Clerk. the present Clerk is going to Head Quarters & the Ajt has spoken to him about it & says he wants Barney there. It would be a good Position for him, & he is well qualified to fill it. Barney is a Splendid writer & could fill the Place, to perfection. I hope he will get it.

April 20th 1863 6 AM. Here it is the commencement of another week, it looks a great deal like rain. I received a letter from you, written at Rochester. I suppose you have received before this, my letter in which, I said we had marching Orders. We are still under marching orders & liable to march at any moment I do not think however,we shall leave this week. When we are Paid off, I shall send home $30,00, to part pay your Expenses, down here, N0 use looking for me Home. Unless we get in Hookers Army, then I might get a short leave of Absense, There is but little news in Camp, everything Quiet Will write soon

Love to all

Manley

——————–

Miss Rosa

I have not heard from you in several days, what is the matter, I hope you are not sick. I suppose you are having Vacation by this time, so you can take a great many rides in the Country. You must remember, you take my place in House Cleaning, this Spring also, in Packing up, this Fall. I am sorry that I have not been able, to get the little Dark, for you , You must wait, till, I get down to Fredericksburg, prehaps then I shall be able to get one, like your description.

Give my Love to Maggie
Your Brother

Manley

Camp Hayes
April 22d 1863

Dear Father

I little expected to get a letter from you last night, but we got no mail. We now have got a new Major General, J J Abercrombie, it is reported that he is to make, this his Head Quarters. Yesterday aftyernoon at 2 PM, we went out to Battallion Drill, we had been out about 3/4 of an hour, when the Col, read orders, for us to be ready, to be received at 3 PM. So we Broke Ranks, Packed our Knapsacks, Blacked our Boots & fixed up, as soon as possible. The whole Brigade was Reviewed, by Genl Hayes. I wished you were here, as it looked Splendid.

There is but very little news in Camp, no signs of Pay Master yet. Things look now like staying here. I lost my Diary, the other Day in Camp. I think more of that then anything else I have got. I hope I shall find it. I suppose, you have now given up all hopes of my coming home, I am sorry for a short Rest would do me Good.

Tell Mother, if we have to march, that we have got a Col to march under, he says he has been in the Ranks & knows just how to march the Boys. He is merciful on the march if not on the Drill. He believes in pushing us right through on the Drill.

I shall write again tomorrow, when I hope to have something to write

Your Son

Manley

——————–

Miss Rosa

I think that a leading question, asking me if I were Engaged, Well I can not say that I am, though I have between 15 & 20 chances to be, I think I shall postpone that, until I see whether, I shall live through this War. I do not want to Bother myself, with a woman now. Since I have made up my mind, to live a life of single Blessedness.

I am glad you passed Examination, so well, I shall expect to see a great change in you, when my 3 years is up. You must keep up good courage, even if I have to move, I may come out all right yet. Kiss Maggie for me, write often

Your Loving Brother

Manley

——————–

Charles

I was surprised the other day, to get a letter from you, I did not know, but you had quit writing to me. If I had come home I should have set down a few rules for you to follow in my Absense, one is to write a good long letter to me every week. Now you can just as well, sit down every Saturday afternoon and write me a good long letter as not. Since I have been at this Camp, I have read, several, long letters from Gib Case, full of news, now if strangers can write, cant you my Brother, manage to write. I intend in a Day or two to write you just how we live in Camp, how we pass away time &c &c. Tell me if there is any new Engines on the Road & the No, & any other news, about the Boys

Your Brother

Manley

How old are you, I have forgotten

Camp Hayes
April 23d

Dear Father

I recieved you welcome letter of the 11th, last night & as it is raining this morning, I have a good time to answer it. Your letter did me a great deal of good, I was fully Discouraged & tired out, but your letter made me feel a great deal better. To be sure I was dissappointed, about the Furlough, more even thanI would acknowledge. I had been trying to forget all about, but every once in awhile, I would think of something I wanted to do, when I got home. But of course it is useless now. I shall do my Duty however, where ever I am, if in the the Co, or Color Guard Depend upon it, our Emblem can never be soiled by Traitors hand’s, while I have a Drop of Blood left.

I am still with the Color Guard, though the Detail has not been read I shall not be surprised if Capt H, will want me to come back to the Co. I have done no Duty, for 2 weeks in the Co. all I have to do, is to come out at Battallion Drills & Dress Parades. Yesterday afternoon, while we were out at Battallion Drill. Col recd orders, for us to be ready at 5 PM, for Brigade Parade, with Boots Blacked & white Gloves. So back we marched to Quarters. It soon turned out that Maj Genl, Abbercrombie, was to be here.

About 6,30 we marched over to the 39ths Camp & were drawn up in line, facing the Court House Road. the Battery Boys fired a salute, & we presented Arms to the Genl. He is an old man, about 55, White Hair, very good looking & looks as if he Could fight. If it had not rained today, we should have had, a Review, but now it is hard telling, when we shall.

Tomorrow that man from the 39th NY, who murdered those 5 men, is to be Hung, before the Brigade. He would be shot but that is to Honorable a Death for him to Die.

I received 5 Papers from you last night & was very glad to get them. I had not got them over an hour, before the boys came around, saying Stacey, lend me a Paper, or something to read. I always lend my Papers, to the Boys, just as soon, as I read them. Tom Hooker, always gets, them first. Tom is the best looking Soldier in Co D, he knows his Duty & does it. Tom & I get along, well together I think a great deal of him.

I received the 50cts in Postage Currency & the Stamps, both will come very acceptable now. I am afraid Mother will be disappointed, about, the Lieut, my Father is not rich enough. It is money that gets these Offices, not real merit.

It was reported here yesterday, that we were going, to reinforce, Foster, in SC, I think of we do not soon make a move, we shall stay here for some time to come. I hope not, for I would like, to do something.

Your oppinion [sic] of Dreyer, agrees with mine, he can not be trusted. I have had a good chance, to see & know, how he works. I shall make him Pay me, for the Revolver, or get another, He can not get around that.

I do not want you to give up, coming down here, I do not think at the outside it could cost you over $50 & I am willing to pay $30 of that, so pack up & come down. just as soon as I ams Paid off, I shall send the $30 home by Express, for that Purpose, I am sure it would do you good & I know it would me, I would like you to see something of the Battle Field, If I knew when you were coming, I could get a 2 Day Pass & come down to Washington. I think I should have no trouble in this.

Charlie Cookingham, expects his Father, Sunday next, I shall hope to see you some of these days. I found my diary again. I think more of that, than anything else that I have got. There is nothing new, about our being Paid off, so I can tell nothing about it. I hope we shall have a hand, in settling this War & finishing it up now, rather than laying around here. I want to be in one or two good Fights, before I come home. I will write again tomorrow.

Love to all
Your Son

Manley

Camp Hayes
April 24th
5,30 AM

Dear Father

There is but little news in Camp this morning, but I thought I would write a few lines. the Paymaster, came here yesterday & I suppose, will commence paying off the Brigade, today. It made the boys, feel a great deal better, when they heard, the Paymaster was here.

Yesterday, it rained hard all day, so we had a little rest. Yesterday, several Guns, in the Regt, were Fired during the day, The boys are getting, very Careless, & if this were not put a stop to, some one would get hurt. so the Col, had, all the Cos, turned out, & asked every one, Did you fire that Gun.  He got the same answer all through the Regt.

There has been a standing order, to have Canteens & Haversacks, fille every night, This morning the Col, thought he would see, how the order, was lived up too [sic], so he sent the men back to Quarters, for Canteens, but found very few Canteens filled.

It is a Damp Cold day here, today, So I hardly think, the Garibaldi, will be hung.

today Things look now here, as if we would not leave this place. Just as soon as we get paid off, I shall send home, the $30, for you to come down here. If you do come, I wish you would being me the following things. a good Pocket knife, two blades, some more of that fine Emery Paper, 3 or 4 pairs of thin Summer, Stockings, a knife, Fork & Spoon, Separate, Mother can send these. Also a little Black linen thread, a few Shiny Buttons & a Paper of Pris. I can not think, of any thing else, I want, just at Present. I shall hope to see you, before many weeks, if Francisco is coming, you could come down with him. I think you have Friends enough, in Washington, to get a pass to cross the Potomac. All the advice I have to give is, not to carry any Whiskey concealed about you, for it might get you in a scrape.

Yesterday was a miserable kind of Day here, I wished myself home a great many times. I had the Tooth Ache most of the Day. I have been troubled a great deal lately, some of my Teeth, are hollow & are Decayed bad. A great many of the boys, are troubled, with Sore Mouth, I think caused by the Saltpeter in the Pork. It has [bothered], me but a little.

Well I must Close, this Apology of a letter

Love to all

Manley

——————–

Camp Hayes
Co D 111th Regt
April 24th
6,50 PM

Dear Father

I never asked you, if you had any trouble in reading my letters, When I write, there is either a noise & confusion or I am in a hurry.

Today it has rained all day until about 5 PM, when it cleared up & now the Sun is shining bright. The Grass is, staying up & the Country looks beautiful. Our best time is now coming for soldiering, that is if we have no Fighting or marching to do. I am feeling tip top tonight, never felt better. When a man knows he is doing his Duty he must feel good.

While I am writing this the Brigade Band is playing. We are to have Scotts Band from Rochester. I have signed 50cts a month, towards it, & would give more, for the privilege of hearing some good music. Scott charges $500 a month, for his band of 12 members. A pretty good price, for music. At last we are to get our Pay, today the PM is paying the 125th & tomorrow we are to be paid off. We signed the pay [Rolls]. It is wonderful, how great a change, a little change, makes with a man.

I received your letter of the 20th, this PM, with the Stamp & Postage Currency, enclosed. My Impression now is that we shall remain in this Camp & continue doing Picket Duty. Things look like it now. I should like the Green Tea, but could not you send it by some one, instead of sending it by mail.  I am sorry to hear such an account from Charlie, I have great Hopes in him, If I should fall I want him to take my place.

There has been some talk, for a few Days past of Co Ds, being Detached, & go to Guard the RR, between Union Mills & Warrenton. We have full, possession of the RR, to Warrenton. Hookers Supplies are to be sent this way, as Hookers right rests at Culpepper. So this will be an important Road, to hold. If Hooker, has fight now, & needs Reinforcements, we be most certain, to be called on.

I received the lead Pencil & was very glad to get it. It will not be necessary to change the Direction of any Letters, only the Division & no of Brigade 3d. I do not think you would like being Chaplain of a Regt, it is a Thankless Place.

The weather was to stormy today, to hang the Garibaldi, but I hope they will hang him soon. I think I will write a short note to the Rep, when that is done. I am glad to think the Col, has such a good opinion of me, I trust I shall always deserve it. the more I see of Col, Mac, the better I like him. He is the Right man, in the right place.

Feb 25th 5,45 AM. There is but little news in Camp this morning, only the Pay Master commences paying our Regt off, this morning, well we shall be glad to get it.

Love to all

Manley

Camp Hayes
April 26th
6,15 PM

Enclosed I send $30 by Mr. Cookingham. For which please give me Credit. Now I want you to use this money, just as I said. Mr Cookingham has succeeded, in getting here, & why can not you & Mr Francisco come. We shall stay here now most likely, & if you come, pretty soon, you will most likely see us. There is no earthly reason why you should not come. We were paid off, yesterday, & the Boys are feeling well.

Today I have been out walking around the Country, & managed to get a good meal, which made me feel a great deal better. This week, we have no Battallion Drills, it is Skirmish in the morning, & Bayonet Excersise [sic] in the Afternoon, this does not look like moving. I received a letter from Mrs Stout, today which I enclose.

27th 7,30 AM. Mr Cookingham does not leave until tomorrow so I will send the money tomorrow by him. Nothing new in Camp this morning, all quiet.

Love to all

Manley

——————–

Charles

Enclosed find $1,00 for your special benefit, to do just what you choose with. I suppose a Green Back will not come amiss to you. I should like to send you more but I can hardly spare it. This morning the 126th NY & the 39th, leave, we can not tell where they are going. I do not think however we shall soon leave. I am making up my mind to stay here some time yet.

Hope to hear from you soon

Manley

Camp Hayes
Centerville Va
April 28
9 AM

Dear Father

Here is some Paper that I bought here for 8 cts [a] [Q…ne]. which I think is as cheap as you can get it at Home. It answers every [p…] for a Soldier. I like this better than the blue I got from home, last, though that is good enough for any [one].

This week I have go nothing to do, until from 4 to 5,30 PM, when we Drill in Bayonet Exercise. Saturday morning we Drill in Firing at a Target. This the boys all like. Thursday is Muster Day, we will all have two months more pay coming.

This morning Mr Cookingham is visiting the Picket Line, I wish you were here to join the Party. Just to learn how Picket Duty is done, down South. You can learn something how this War is Carried on by Coming down here, more than you ever could by reading the Papers. you also would have the Chance of seeing Washington. If you should come I should get a Pass & go as Far as Washington, on your return.

Since I wrote about the 125th, leaving, it has turned out, they have gone between here & the Coast House, to Guard some Road Probably our Regt will Relieve them.

28th 5, 30 AM. I received your letter of the 23d last night, with 50cts enclosed. I should not be surprised if we have a little brush here before long. Genl [St….] Davis of Cavalry has gone out around the Country in Front to try & drive in these Gurillas if nothing more. You can do just as you please about publishing my letters in the Republican, You can if you choose too, only change the Signature & do not sign it Co D. We are all straight about the Rations now, I mean as well of, as we have ever been.

I am in the color Guard yet, & shall stay in, until I find out that I can better myself, by remaining in the Co, I want to have a talk with the Capt, & find out how things stand.

I expect you will get this by Mr Cookingham, by next Saturday or Sunday

My love to all

Manley

Camp Hayes
April 30th
5,20 AM

Dear Father

Rather early this to commence writing a letter, but as soon as a Soldier gets up his Duty Commences. No excuse unless he is Sick. There is too much routine about a Soldiers life, the first thing he hears in the morning is the Bugle or Drum, & the also the last at night. I shall have to hire a Drummer when I get home, to beat the Revilee before I can get up in the morning. If I should come home on a Furlough, I might raise a great disturbance the first night, Falling out thinking I heard the Long Roll.

Yesterday afternoon we had Battallion Drill, we marched a mile, to a Parade Ground, & commenced Drilling, it began to Rain so the Col, tured us around & Double Quicked us (165 Steps to the minute) all the way to Camp. The Color Sergt gave out & then I tool the Colors, & carried them, until, very near Camp, then I fell out could go no farther. All that came in Camp the Col, gave a Ration of Whiskey. Today the Col says we have got to try it again, & have got to come in. This morning I am Stiff & Lame all over. The Col says he will make us Double Quick 3 miles, if we can not do it.

I received your letter of the 25th, yesterday. In regard to the Religious Services in the Fornoon, it would be impossible. Regt Inspection from 10 to 12, then reading the Articles of War, & then Inspection of Quarters. The whole of which, takes until 2 PM & are busy all the time.

Dreyer says he will buy me another Revolver & I shall hold him to it. I received the Tea you sent & will make the most of it. I received the Currency & Postage Stamps. I now take all of my old Rock Dems, to an old Union Man out to the Stone Mills, he was formerly from Skeneatlas (Skaneateles) N Y, He told me he could get no news, at all & he would be oh so much obliged to me, if would let him have my old Papers.

Hoping you have not given up coming down here. I remain

Your Son Manley

Camp Hayes Centerville
Co D 111th Regt NYSV
May 2nd 1863
5,15 AM

Dear Father

I received your letter of the 27th, last night, so will answer this morning. This Morning from 8 to 10, we have a Drill the boys all like, namely firing at a Target, with Ball Cartridges.

Now about who I belong too [sic], I am sure I can not tell. I do not want anything serious to happen, on account of me, who I belong too. I suppose it is a Partnership Concern. I will try & write to Mother, as often as I do you, after this. It has seemed more convenient when writing to write to you, so I have done so.

I am glad you have not entirely given up, your visit here, & hope Cookingham will give such a good account of his Visit, that you may be induced to come. If you come I should try to either meet you at Washington, or return as far as there with you. It would be easier to go from here there, than to meet you there. As soon as the Garibaldi is Hung, I will try & send a full account of it. Visitors are not searched that come to our Camp, though your Baggage my be when you sross the River. They allow no Whiskey to be brought over.

Capt has not as yet, said anything to me about the Color Guard, so I do not know he likes it.

Yesterday morning Col, tried to get Permission from the General, to take us out on the Battle Field, but could not, General said he had no right, to grant him the Permission. We have now 4000 Cavalry at this Post, they are going out this morning on a Scout. The 125th Returned yesterday. They had a slight Skirmish the first night they were out.

We are now to have, Regt Inspection every Sunday. At the Inspection Thursday, Col told me, Corp, your Gun & Equipments are in good condition, you are a good soldier. so much for getting the Cols good will. If you come down here I shall get excused from Duty, & then we will visit the Picket Lines. If you come, be sure, to get Transportation, so you can ride to Union Mills

Manley