Manley Stacey Civil War Letters

Camp Hayes
May 3d
7,40 PM

Dear Father

We are in great excitement in Camp tonight, we have just recd orders, to be ready to move with 3 days Rations in our Haversacks & everything Packed up. It is reported that we are to Reinforce Hooker, in case he needs help. We are to march to Union Mills & there take the Cars, for Warrenton. I heard tonight that we were to go to Warrenton, & be held as Hookers Reserve. The Boys are all feeling well. I intend sending this by one of the 9th Art, Boys, that is if I can not send it by Mail.

5,15 AM 4th. We have slept good all night & are now ready for anything that may turn up. Unless Hooker meets with some Disaster we shall remain here, I think he can hold his own, I think this will turn out, the way our other Marching Orders did. We had Regt Inspection yesterday morning, as usual, now it is the order to have Regt Inspection every Sunday. We are Drilling in the Bayonet Excercises, I can write but little this morning. Do not expect that we are going to leave here, for no one in Camp, thinks we shall.

I will write every Day, for awhile, until we get settled

Love to all

Manley

I saw Gilbert Baily, yesterday in the 126th NY, Also Mr Stuarts Son, merchant of Ovid. [Delas] Baily is in Chicago, he has, been to Nebraska

Camp Hayes
May 5th 1863
5,15 AM

Dear Father

I received your letter of the 30th last night. As yet we have had no Orders to start, nor does things look now like our going at all.

Yesterday afternoon the Col was Ordered to Washington, in a hurry. I think it was, with Refference [sic] to our going to Washington of just to join Hooker, we care but little which, though of course we, should like to be stationed at Washington. the 125th & 39th NY have returned they only went out on a Scout.

I have not returned to the Company, nor have I been detailed as yet. The Garibaldi has not been Hung, though there is no telling, when he will be. The boys are all wondering what the Col is Ordered to Washington for, I think something is up.

There is but little news in Camp, this morning, everything Quiet. Yesterday, the Chaplain shouldered a Gun, & Drilled in the Ranks, of Co K. He would make a good Soldier. I will try & write every morning, until we know something different about this. I hope this will not interfere with your Visit, for if you come this week, you will find us here.

Love to all

Manley

——————–

Dear Mother

I suppose according to the Order, I lately received, I should have Directed this to you, but I thought I would Violate the Orders a little & write to both. I think if Father should come down here there would be not trouble about his Preaching to the Regt. I am sure Brown would not object. Our services on Sunday are changed now, we have Preaching at Sundown, before the Col’s tent.

We are having Splendid Weather here with Warm Days & Cold nights, Foggy Mornings.

I can think of but little news to write this morning

I will write tomorrow

Your Son

Manley

——————–

Camp Hayes
May 5th 6,30 PM

Dear Father

I received your letter of the 1st, this PM & as we are having a regular Virginia Rain I will write a few lines. It has been raining & blowing most of the afternoon,& now it has settled down to steady Rain. This is one of the Rough nights, for Picket, Barney Albert H, & Aleck, are all out, I pity them

I am now sitting at my table, the Door of the Tent open, a good Fire burning in out little Sheet Iron stove, [Harvey] at my right hand reading the Republican, the Water dripping down, inside the Tent, & yet I am contented, I do not remember ever felling better, in my life, Why is this simply because I know I am doing my Duty.

I think the longer, I am in the Army the more I see of this Rebellion, the more anxious, I am to have a hand, in putting it down.

Tomorrow night I shall have been 9 months in the Service, it seems a great while, but it has been a short 9 months to me. I have been glad a great many times lately, that I did, just as I did 9 months ago. I think if I live, I shall one day be proud to own I was in the Army, during the Years of 62 & 63.

The Boys are all in high Spirits tonight, we have just got the News, that Gen Lee, is Prisoner & Vicksburg is ours. The Boys all think something now will be done. It seems now that, when we had Orders the other night to be ready to move, that Hooker, had a Fight at Warrenton, only 22 miles from here. We do not expect now to leave here, unless Hooker meets with Reserves.

One of my Best Friends in this Co, is James Larue¹, he is a model young man, I think, He & I have always been on the best of terms. Jimmy & I take a good many Scout Walks, around the Country here. He is the most sensible of any of the other boys. I have got a Fast Friend now in Phillip Clouse. I asked him one day, if I did not owe him, a little money, Says he, Stacey if you owed me $25,00 I would not take a cent. Says he, Stacey I never shall forget, how good you were to me when I was Sick. He actually Cried, when talking about it.

I am sorry you have Defered coming down here, I think now is the only & the best time. I hope you will change your mind, before it is too late.

I will send Miss Stout’s letter in this, I had forgotten to send it before. It is a very nice letter.

May 6th 6,30 AM. Nothing new this AM. I always when writing home, over night, leave the letter unsealed so in case of any [Thing] I am ready.

Hoping to see you before long

Your Son

Manley

Camp Hayes

May 6th 7 PM

Dear Father

Since I wrote you last, I have met with quite a misfortune, While on Skirmish Drill, I lost my Pocket Book, containing my, something over $8,00, & can find nothing of it. So I shall be obliged to get $5,00 of you, I did not like to send for this, but as we may be Ordered to the Front & it would not do to go without money. This looks rough, one week after Pay Day, but it can not be helped.

7th 5,30 AM It has been raining here for, a Day & two nights past, & now it looks like raining all day today. Well there is one comfort we will not have to Drill. We commenced drawing Soft Bread again, yesterday, we Drew one Days Rations. Our Col, has not returned from Washington yet. It is reported that Col Williams, is trying to get his Regt, 125th NY, to Washington. I hope he will get Fooled on it. Hays got a Dispatch last week asking, for one of his Regts to be sent to W, Hays Replied, I have got, no Regt, that is fit. Which was a Lie, for if we are not fit, there never was a Regt, All we care about, this Rain, it will hinder Hooker, now & hold him back for 2 or 3 weeks.

The Staff Officers are building them a new mess Tent, & are fixing it up nice, this looked but little like moving. Our Stay here depends altogether on how Hooker succeeds, This morning, we have one of those mornings I love at Home, Thick Foggy & Damp. There is but little extra news in Camp this morning so I have not much to write

Love to all

Manley

Camp Hayes Centerville
Co D 111th Regt NYSV
May 8th /63

Dear Father

I recd your letter of the 30th this PM & was glad to hear you had not entirely given up the idea of the Visit to Centerville. I think if you intend to visit the Army, this is the place, of all others. I hope you will succeed in getting over the River, which I think you will have no trouble about it. Be sure if you come to get Transportation from Alexandria here, as you can get it from here then.

If you come, I think you can get the Chaplains Horse, to ride around the country here. If you can get hold of a small Map of Virginia, please bring it. I would like that very much. The old man at the Stone Mills, is a good Union Man, though he is a little suspicious of the Soldiers, they have destroyed so much for him. If you go around this Country, you will be Thankful the war is not north. You will see but little until you cross the River, then you will see the effects of the war.

Yesterday we had quite an exciting time in Camp. The news came here in the morning, that Hooker was driven back & had lost 4,000 men. We then got orders to pack up everything & in case we were attacked, to fall back to the Defences of W, that is if we could not make a stand. While we were eating our Dinner, the Long Roll Beat, & we fell out, in a hurry. Col Williard had a Dispatch from the President, saying there was no truth in the report, about Hooker. That relieved us, we then could cheer heartily. We get the news every day here, the W morning Chronicle, there is always a great rush for Papers.

Today all has been quiet in Camp, though all anxious to hear a good account from Hooker.

May 9th /63  All quiet during the night. This is a lovely morning warm & pleasant. We Drill this morning in Firing at Target, This I like & yet I do not as we have to clean up our Guns for Inspection in the Afternoon. Ed [McI..ain] staid all night, with me last night. Lieut Moon is expected today.

Love to all

Manley

Camp Hayes
May 11th 1863
7 PM

Dear Father

I read your letter of the 7th, this eve, & will quiet your fears a little, in regard to the Fighting. We are still in Centerville, doing Picket Duty, & Drilling the same as usual. Do not be alarmed about, our leaving this Place, for just as long as Hooker is in Front of us, we shall stay & hold this place, so in case he is defeated, he can have some thing to fall back on. Another thing that looks like, staying here, Today the 125th Changed their Camp & are fixing it up, for summer. Our Camp looks splendid, evergreens between all the Tents.

This has been a very warm day, about the warmest, we have had, this summer. This afternoon, while on Battallion Drill, just before we marched to Camp, the Col, told all that could not, Double Quick it to Camp, to fall out that he wanted to see them, After he had looked at them he told them, to get in the Ranks again & did not Double Quick us at all. I got all prepared for the Double Quick, rolled up my pants, unbottened my coat, but was not sorry, we did not do it. We have not as yet commenced work on the Breast Works, but can not tell when we shall.

The Non Commissioned Officers in the Regt, have been in a great deal of trouble today, about the examination, Co C’s, all resigned.  Lieut Green says he is not afraid of his, Boys, that we will pass. I myself am not much alarmed. Dreyer & the Orderly Sergt of Co F were reduced tonight, for Gambling. If this remain, there will be a sight for someone. I can not tell who it will be however, I have not had a talk with Capt, yet, so to see how things stand, but hope to soon.

May 12th 5,13 AM. Nothing new during the night all quiet on Rocky Run.

I hope this distance will not make a difference to you coming down here. Do not forget to send me some cotton Socks. The Government Socks, are to heavy & thick for summer wear

Hoping to hear from you soon, with love to all

Manley

Camp Hayes
May 13th
5,30 PM

Dear Father

I have just recd your letter of the 9th with the Stamps enclosed, which I am glad to get. I was very glad to hear from you tonight, for to tell the truth, I felt a little homesick. I have had a bad toothe Ache all day, & felt miserable.

Yesterday morning at 8 AM, we went to work, throwing up Breast Works, & worked until 6,30 PM, having 2 hours interruption at noon, Each Co, was divided into 3 Reliefs, under the charge of a Sergt & Corpl, & worked one hour & rested 2, The Col says we have about a week of just such work to do. Well I do not care, for I do not have to work,

Last night we got orders, to fall out to Brigade Review & Inspection, at 8 this AM. We marched about a mile from our Camp, to the Review Ground, & was Reviewed & Inspected by Genl Abercrombie. We then went through a few movements, & returned to Camp, It was very warm & with our heavy Knapsacks, it made the Sweat pour off from us. I wished a great many times you had been here, for it looked splendid.

I read a letter from [J..o] Voak, tonight, they are all well at present. I think our leaving here is played out, now, things do not look like our leaving here at present, nor do I think we shall leave here at all. I thought you knew about the Officers, being bought in this Regt. Even in Co C, the Capt would not Promote one of his Sergts, to Lieut, unless he would pay him $1,00 for it.

I should be very glad to get Caseys Tactics, it is just what I wanted, & need every day, When a man undertakes to be a Soldier, he might as well be a perfect one. If they do not cost too much, I would like the 3 volumes. I flatter myself that I am pretty well posted in Tactics.

May 14th /63 6 AM. We have had quite a Rain during the night, & this morning, it is quite cool & comfortable. I think we shall work on the Fortifications today, though it looks some like rain. When you come down, do not forget the Cotton Socks, for I need them, you may bring me a couple lbs of Sugar, this is the only thing that, we are short of.

I hope you will, soon change your mind, & come down here yet, the sooner the better, Will write again tomorrow

Love to all

Manley

On Fatigue Duty
near Centerville Va
3d Brigade, Abercrombies
Division, 22 Army Corps
Defense of Washington
111th Regt. NYSV
May 14th 1863 4 PM

Dear Charlie

Having a little liesure time, I thought I would write the long promised letter, Subject Soldiers Duty. This is an old Subject, but it will bear writing about. Now I suppose you want the whole, so I will commence, at Revilee, First we are awakened by the Drummers Call at 4,45, which is for them to turn out & beat the Revilee, then the Revillee is beat, when every man that is able, is expected to answer to his name. There is no evading this for if a man is absent, it is known, & a satisfactory reason given, or he has to Police the Streets, or do some extra Duty, if it is reported then he is Reported to the Col,

Immediately after Revliee, we have to shake our Blankets, & (if the weather be not storm) hang them out to air. At 5,30 Police Call, to sweep the Streets, & in front of our Tents, then woe be to all offenders, for that is their duty. 5,45 Sick Call, When the Sick & those desirous of being excused wend their way to the Doctors Tent, where their Portion of Quinine, is dealt out to them. It is here you see the long faces, Were a Stranger to step in at this time & judge the Whole Regt, by these, he would think there was hardly a disease, but what was represented.

At 6 AM Breakfast When we Draw our Rations of Coffee & Hard Tack. And once in awhile Pototatoes & meat, just to let us know, that such things, are in use. From 6 to 7, those that go on Guard, Black their Boots, clean their Brass & Buttons, & rub up their Howitzer Guns a little. Those on Picket, get their Rations of Pork, Coffee & Sugar, & Roll up their Blanket. 7 AM Guard mounting, when the Guards Amunition [sic] & Arms are Inspected, & the Guard are Reviewed by the Officer of the Day.

8 AM Co Drill, by [ ] of the Commissioned Officers, now Principally in Skirmishing. 10 AM Recall from Drill. Then the boys amuse themselves as they choose till 3,45 When the Drum Beats for Battallion Drill, we then march out to the Parade Ground, form in line of Battle, Present Arms to the Col, then Drill, for an hour & a half. 5,30 PM Recall from Drill, which strange to say we are never sorry to hear. 6 PM Dress Parade, we Form in Line of Battle, Present Arms to Col & go through a few movements in the Manual of Arms, we then are brought to an Order Arms, & stand at the Position of Attention, while the Orderly Sergt, report the Co, whether, all are present, or have many absent. The Officers are then called to the Front & Center & the Parade is Dismissed, we then are marched to Quarters.

6,30 PM Supper Hard Tack & Coffee. 8,30 Tattoo, or fall out, with Haversacks, with 3 days Rations, & Canteens filled with Water, ready for any thing during the night. 9 PM, Taps when noise cease in Quarters. Now I have given you a little history of one day, which will apply equally well to all,

Now for Amusements. First, & I am sorry to say it is Card Playing, which is carried to a fearful extent, The excuse is, just to pass away time, then Reading, everything in the Reading Line, is eagerly sought for, Then Playing Ball, Rough & Tumbling, Foot Races, Walking around the country, & calling on the Boys, for a few moments chat, on the War & [Diverse] other subjects.

On Picket it is Draw all you can & live well, make things pay as they go. Talking about Drawing, that seems to be the motive everywhere, the Boys seem to think, a man can not be a Soldier, unless he can Draw, that is the Army word for Stealing. But we have a little variation

(editor’s note:  this may be the end, or the rest of this letter is missing)

On Fatigue Duty
Camp Hayes
May 15th 1863
6,30 PM

Dear Father

I little expected a letter from you, this PM, but was disappointed. I writing home for the things I wanted you to bring, (not send) I forgot to mention a Leather Watch Guard, mine is worn out. also one or two Lead Pencils, another Pocket Book. I wish you would also get my Light Boots fixed up, a Light Tap, put on. They with these that I have got I think will last me this summer. to be sure they are light, but on Dress Parade & Inspection’s they will be very nice these warm days. Do not forget the summer Socks, & I wish you would send me a pair or two of good white Gloves, with my name marked on them.

Al Hunt wants you to get him a good Hunter Case watch costing about $15,00, a smaller size than mine, about Ladies size, Patent Lever. He will write to his father about it. He wanted to buy mine, but as I do not want to sell, he wishes you to pick one out for him, How much did mine cost,

There is but (little) news in Camp tonight all quiet, we hear nothing about Hooker, so can tell nothing about what he is doing. Everything looks now like staying here. The Officers all say, that there is no Prospect, of our leaving. Dreyer is feeling pretty sore, about his reduction, although he expects to get his Position again. I can think of nothing more so will close, Shall hope to hear from you tomorrow

Love to all

Manley

Camp Hayes
May 16th 63
4,15 PM

Dear Father

I have just recd your letter of the 11th this PM, with $2,50 Enclosed. Which I was very glad to get, & which I shall make go as far as possible. I also read the Envelope, with the Cigar enclosed, which I am very much obliged for. I am now taking a Comfortable Smoke, while writing this. Nothing I like better than a good Smoke here. I have heard nothing about my Pocket Book yet. I think I must have lost it while Drilling. The Drill Ground is, full of holes, Ditches, & is very rough. It would be 9 chances of 10 if ever finding it. Several in the Regt, have lost their money, but have never found it again.

Sunday morning 5,30 AM. I must say I was a little Disappointed yesterday in not seeing you, I had made up my mind, during the week, that you would be here on Saturday, I do not know why, but I could not help thinking you would come.

Since I have been up, I have finished, fixing up, for Inspection, Cleaned my buttons blacked boots & now am ready for everything. I generally have my things in as good order, as any one, as the Inspection always says. We had the Report here, that Richmond was taken, but no one believed it. I like the [Idea] of Charles learning the Printers Trade & do not think he is any too young to comence. I do not know, whether we are in Heintzmans Corps, or not, If we are, I think there is a poor sight, for our leaving with him. Things look every day more like our staying here. We have got 3 or 4 Days work yet on the Breast Works, then we can Drill again. This work suits me, for I have nothing to do, but oversee.

I can not tell when the Garibaldi will be hung. his Sentence has not been read on Dress Parade yet. There is but little extra news in Camp, all quiet

Hoping to see you soon with love to all

Your Son

Manley

On Fatigue Duty
Camp Hayes Centerville
May 18th 1863
3,50 PM

Dear Father

I have recd your letter of the 14th, with the medicine enclosed. I am glad to hear, you think of coming down this week, & hope nothing will occur, to cause you to alter your mind. As for the forward movement, I do not think it will be yet. At any rate, we have Visitors every day, almost, from the other side of the River, & I do not think you will have any trouble in getting across the River.

I have not got the Sore Throat now, though I did have it last week. Now I am troubled with sore lips, a great many of the boys are troubled with this at present.

You ask about Dreyer He has always been Sergt from the time he was Promoted, until he was Reduced the other day, for Gambling. He never has been Hospital Stewart, nor ever even had a chance. He might at one time have been Ward Master, in one of the Hospitals, but now it is played out. He does not offer to pay fo the Revolver but says he will get another, (when he gets ready I suppose) I think I will write to Maj Robinson, as soon as I can get time. I will send you a list of my Correpondents, in this on a Card. You will think it very small, compared, to what a man in my position should do. I think if you come down here, it would make some difference to my Promotion, if there is any such thing in the [C….t]

I should think Tinsleys, would be a good palce of Charlie, to learn the Printers Trade. If he intends learning a Trade, I should advise him to learn that in preference, to any other, I know of. You say, Hunt writes home, that the boys are tired of the War & want to go home. There are some, of course who will complain, But I know the majority do not want to go home, until they have done something. Hunt himself will say so. As you say, we are but little alarmed, about the Examination in Tactics, I am posting myself all the time, & can say I can Command a Co, better, than some Officers in this Regt & I never expect to be a Commissioned Officer in this Co, If the whole Co, was raised in Lyons, there might be a chance, though as it is, there is but little.

I wish you would tell mother, that it is my Orders to come, down here, & I wish them obeyed. I can not see why Mother could have any possible objection to your coming down here. It can not cost, over $40, at the outside. At any rate I shall expect to see you here this week.

May 19th 6 AM. We are to have another, Brigade Inspection this morning. I only wish you were to be here, as it would be quite a sight.  I have but little, time to write, as they have just told us, prepare for Brigade Inspection

My love to all

Manley