Manley Stacey Civil War Letters

On the March, near Liberty Md.

Co D 111th Regt
June 29th
4 PM

Dear Father

I concluded to write you a letter & drop it in some Post Office, that is if I can. Well we are again on the March, between Fredericks & Middlebury going towards the [Penn] Line. Nobody knows where we shall turn up, I think Hooker is trying to get in Lees Rear, & then Drive him out, of Maryland. If this is so, we shall get the Marching, no mistake.

This morning, it rained just enough, to make the Road pasty & muddy, miserable walking, & to crown it all We are ordered not to go around any mud, nor water, this morning we had to wade, through Water up to our Hips. Tonight we have got to march, to Middlebury, & it is reported from there to Westminster.

When you write to the Chaplain, you must thank him, for his kindness to me in letting me ride

I can write no more, that lovely Fall in

Manley

All the Boys are Well
Barney Aleck & Albert

Union Town Md
30 miles from Frederick City,
Co D 111th Regt
June 30 /63

Dear Father

I sent you a letter yesterday from a place called Liberty, a few miles back, & now this morning I will write again.

Yesterday we marched 30 miles, We left Frederick at 10 AM, & Halted at 11 PM, Oh how tired I was, I was completely worn out, & exhausted so that I groaned at every step, When we Halted last night [last night], there was not 2 whole Co’s left in [in] the Regt, the Boys had marched just as far as they were able & then fell out. The Road was lined with men, for 5 miles, before we halted. We lost 2 Boys that I know of out ot the Regt, that died, yesterday. God knows how many, there was in the Corps. Talking about Forced Marches, this was one, no mistake. Barney fell out, about 7 miles back, he could go no farther, Aleck also gave out & Albert was completely exhausted. For my part, I just managed, to get through & thats all.

This morning, we have laid over, & will muster, during the Day, we are to Pitch our Tents & stop over, you may be sure I am not surprised, if we have a Fight, today or tomorrow, it is reported that the Rebs are in Force, not more than 10 miles from here, if this is so, we may have a Fight. In regard to the Country, it is Beautiful, I never saw, such Splendid Country, & such Splendid Girls, they give us everything. No one knows, where we shall turn up next, I think from present appearances we are to drive, the Rebs out of Maryland, & then Fight them in Va. I shall write you as often as possible.

Capt is Tired out this morning, it was rough on him yesterday. It is reported that we are to go to Pennsylvania to stay, that Genl Couch, has sent for it. He was formerly the Comander of it, If we go to Pa, I shall expect to see you there, without Fail, You could see a great deal of the Army

Love to all

Manley

Camp near Gettysburg Pa
July 2nd 1 PM

Dear Father

Having a few leisure moments, I thought I would write a little.

We left Union Town, yesterday morning at 7 AM & our Regt was detailed to Guard the Ammunition & Baggage Train. We marched to Taney Town & halted a few moments, when we were Ordered to this Place. After a very hard March, we arrived within 2 miles of here, at 6 PM, last night & slept until 3 AM this morning, when we started for the Battle Ground.

When we Camped last, we could see the wounded, coming in, those that were able to walk, & the Cavalry Horses, coming in Riderless, this showed us that something was going on. Of course, we heard any quantity of Rumors, but believed but little.

This morning at 7 AM, we were Drawn up in Line of Battle, to support a Battery, & we now are laying in the Rear of it We are in the Centre of the Line, As yet there has been no heavy Fighting today, Skirmishing has been going on all the morning.

The Garibaldis were out this morning & have 41 Wounded & 1 killed, also 2 Officers. We have not been Ordered out yet to Skirmish though I am expecting it every moment.

There has been a lull, in the Fighting, since 11 AM, & now it has almost ceased, Either, the Rebs are Retreating, or they are trying to Flank us, they hold a Strong Position, about a mile from us, across a Valley, in a piece of woods & have been trying [Drive] us on, there they Strongly Intrenched [sic] & want to Fight us there,

It is reported that McClellan is coming up with 50,000 Militia, in the rear, if this is so, we may Bag them. If the Reports are all true, we have taken about 1000 Prisoners this morning.

I think this will be an awful battle, very soon & of course we are in for it. 300 Rebs gave themselves up yesterday & said they would fight no more, It is reported that they are Fighting on our left now, & are trying to Flank us. I think most of Hookers, Army is here now.

Barney, Aleck & [Al] are all well, our Boys are all right yet,

The Col, made us a Speech this morning, & told us he wanted us to wipe out the Harpers Ferry Disgrace & show Old [Troopers] how we could fight.

It is a sad sight to see the Wounded brought in on stretchers, the poor Boys all covered with Blood & as pale as Death.

I shall write to you as often as possible, until this is settled, one way or the other. If the Rebs do not make a Stand here & fall back into Maryland or Virginia, we shall follow them up, then the Marching will commence.

If you should see our Regt, to day you would think they looked, but little like Band Box Soldiers.

I am at present acting Sergt, my place is behind the Ranks to keep them closed up.

Yesterday we drew our Corps Badge, I will send you one home, for a sample & would like to have you make me one of Blue Velvet, & bind it with Red.

I have written you 3 letters the past week, I do not know whether you will get them all or not, we marched through a beautiful country yesterday, the best I have seen since I left home.

I am now Bunking with Charlie Cookingham, who I like better as a Comrade than the others. I am getting very anxious to hear from Home, as I have not heard in over a week.

I hope this thing will soon be settled & we Rest awhile for I am tired out.

July 3rd 10 AM. Now I have some sad news to write, Last night at 4 PM, we were ordered to March & form in Line of Battle on our left, After a great deal of Confusion, we got formed & when we Ordered to advance, right in the face of the Rebel Guns, who were firing their Grape and Canisters into us by wholesale,

after a great Deal of marching & Counter marching, we were ordered to charge on a Rebel Battery. we were now right in front of our Canons, advancing on their Guns, the Rebel sharpshooters, in our rear picking off our Officers. this was an awful time the shells taking the men down by Ranks, While we were marching, a man was shot, & the Blood was spalling [sic] all over my face, it perfectly Blinded me.

We were then Ordered, to fall back, as it was to hot for us, which we did in good Order We then laid in Line Battle all night, being Ordered up twice, besides this every thing passed off quietly.

The next morning at 6 AM We were Ordered to Skirmish, in front of the Batteries, We have had some pretty sharp Skirmishing, for a little whiles [sic] though none of us got hurt. The fight the night before, We had one man killed Michael [P…], Thomas Hooker was wounded, though he was left for Dead on the Field. He is now quite smart & will soon be well again.

Altogether we had 10 men missing that Night, On the 4th at 1 PM we [were] shelled, by 100 Guns, all concentrated on the force supporting the Battery. There we laid behind a Stone Wall the Shells passing over us, & killing the men all around me, 3 men were killed & thrown across me, covering me with blood. While we were laying here, a shell struck a Stone in the wall, & killed a man throwing the man across my legs & the stone striking me in the back & doubling me up,

I got up & got down to the Hospital, so lame that I could hardly straighten up. I had been here but a few moments, when Capt Holmes came down. He was shot through the elbow, & was bleeding badly, I bandaged up his Arm the best I could. I then got him carried to a hospital, & have stayed with him until this morning.

the 5th 11 AM. Capt is now at the Private house & is doing well. Lieut Granger is Dead he was shot through the right breast & lived but a few hours. Aleck Williams, Barney Francisco, are all well Albert hunt has a wound in the wrist, which will not disable him long.

We have got about 18 men now in the Co fit for Duty & 150 in the Regt. We went in the fight with over 400, & have yet now 150.

I am now all right, Having been through the biggest Battle of the War. I will write soon again

Love to all

Manley

Camp near Littlestown Pa
July 6th 7 AM

Dear Father

Having a little time, I thought I would write a few lines. We left Gettysburg, yesterday afternoon at 5 PM, & marched through the Mud to this Place, Halting at Midnight, It was an awful march, very Muddy, & nasty. We had to Ford one stream the water up to our Knees. This is nice, getting our Feet wet & no chance to dry them. It rained nearly all night, & this morning we are all wet through.

We are now on the Baltimore Road, bound for Balt, it is said We have got to march to Westminster, 15 miles today, oh how I dread it. The Roads are awful muddy. we were Ordered up at 4 AM, to get our Breakfast, & at 5 were Ordered in line, & have been laying here ever since. We have suffered almost everything this past five days for, Rations, I have seen 25cts given for a Hard Tack, I think we shall draw Rations today. We have got 16 men now with the Co. Officers & all.

By nights I am in Comand of the Co, though Hutchins has taken it. I tell you our Co looks small, now. All we want is a little rest. Barney & Aleck are with us & are all right. I think if everything is done that ought to be, the Rebel Army will be cleaned, this time no mistake. I have run some awful risks in this fight, a man was blown to pieces ahead of me & covered me with Blood, Capt told me he thought I was a goner. At any rate I have done my Duty. Our Brigade has suffered more than any other in this fight, & our Regt more than any other. We have got our name up now. Col, said we had done well, he was proud of us, it was the proudest day of his life

My love to all
I am very anxious to hear from you

Manley

Camp near Taney Town Md
July 7th 11,30 AM

Dear Father

I wrote you yesterday from Littlestown Pa, & having a little time now thought I would write again today.

Yesterday we kept our things on all day, expecting to be Ordered to move but of course was not sorry to stay. We have suffered everything this past week on account of Rations, talking about living on half Rations, we lived without any. I never knew what it was to suffer with hunger before, this morning I was so weak & faint I could hardly walk.

We left our Camp at Littlestown this morning at 5 AM, & marched here, halting at 10 AM. We are to stay here tonight so the Guard has just told us.

There is one thing I have forgotten to mention, Before we went into Battle, Col told us, that her wanted us to redeem our name, that we had been called Harpers Ferry Cowards, by the Old Troops & he wanted us to show them different. After we had broken 2 lines of Battle of the Rebs, who were advancing on us, Hays, rode on front of us & yelled out, Harpers Ferry Cowards ah. The Old Troops say they never saw a Regt fight better than we did, We have got a good name among them. As yet our Corps, has had no Credit at all in the Papers, though we were in the centre & was under fire more than any other. The lists of killed & wouded, will tell, who did the work, if nothing more. I will send you a list of Killed Wounded & missing in our Co, in this, which you can publish if you choose.

I think we shall move to Fredrick City from here, unless we have some trouble here. It is reported that our Waggon Train was Captured yesterday, Our Boys have been out Foraging today & have returned with a stock of Bread

Hope to hear from you soon

Manley

——————–

Killed Wounded & Missing in Co D 111th

Killed
          Lieut E, M, Granger¹
          A. Fliar²
          M. Kearin³
          G. Ritter⁴

Wounded
          Capt S. D. Holmes⁵,  Elbow
          Sergt C, L, Cookingham⁶,  Thumb
             ”   I. Penoyer⁷,  Head
          Privates T. Hooker⁸,  Breast
          D. Lamson⁹,  Back
          M. Eichenlaub¹⁰,  Foot
          W. York¹¹, Wrist
          W. Bennett¹²,  Head
          E. Bovee¹³,  Arm
          B. Finch¹⁴,  Leg
          A. Hunt¹⁵, Wrist
          J. Frank¹⁶,  Bowels
          J. Almakinder¹⁷,  Shoulder
          J. Dunning¹⁸,  Head, since Died
          M. Pflug¹⁹,  Shoulder
          S. Carll²⁰,  Wrist

Wounded
          Corpl. Larue²¹,  Wrist
          A C [……],  Thumb

Missing
          H. Vandermerlin²²
          T. Hunter²³
          [C] [Weeden]²⁴
          L. Werner²⁵

¹Granger, Erastus M.–age,?? Enrolled 7 Aug 1862 at Auburn to serve three years. Mustered in as second lieutenant, Co. D, 20 Aug 1862.  Killed in action, 3 Jul 1863, at Gettysburg, PA.

²Flier, Abram–age,40 Enlisted 21 Jul 1862 at Sodus to serve three years. Killed in action, 3 Jul 1863, at Gettysburg, PA.; also borne as Fliar.

³Kearin, Michael–age,18 Enlisted 6 Aug 1862 at Lyons to serve three years. Killed in action, 2 Jul 1863, at Gettysburg, PA.

 ⁴Ritter, Gustavus–age,33 Enlisted 1 Aug 1862 at Lyons to serve three years. Killed in action, 3 Jul 1863, at Gettysburg, PA.; also borne as Gustave Ritter

⁵Holmes, Sebastian D.–age,?? Enrolled 7 Aug 1862 at Auburn to serve three years. Mustered in as captain, Co. D, 15 Aug 1862; wounded in action, 3 Jul 1863, at Gettysburg, PA.; discharged for disability, 27 Jun 1864.

⁶Cookingham, Charles L.–age,18. Enlisted 6 Aug 1862 at Galen. Wounded in action 3 Jul 1863, at Gettysburg, PA.; killed in action 5 May 1864, at The Wilderness, VA.

⁷Penoyer, Ira–age,27 Enlisted 5 Aug 1862 at Sodus to serve three years. Wounded in action, 3 Jul 1863, at Gettysburg, PA.; died of his wounds, 9 Jul 1863

⁸Hooker, Thomas–age,19 Enlisted 6 Aug 1862 at Lyons to serve three years. Wounded in action, 3 Jul 1863, at Gettysburg, PA.; captured in action, 22 Jun 1864, at Petersburg, VA.; died, no date, while a prisoner of war.

⁹Lamson, Daniel W.–age,23 Enlisted 7 Aug 1862 at Lyons to serve three years. Wounded in action, 2 Jul 1863, at Gettysburg, PA.; captured 5 Jun 1864,at Cold Harbor, VA.; no further record; also borne as Lampson.

¹⁰Eichenlaub, Michael–age,42 Enlisted 3 Aug 1862 at Lyons to serve three years. Wounded in action, 3 Jul 1862, at Gettysburg, PA.;Transferred to Veteran Reserve Coprs, 11 Feb 1864; discharged, 14 Jul 1865, as of Co. H, First Regiment, at Elmira, NY

¹¹York, William–age,25 Enlisted 6 Aug 1862 at Sodus to serve three years; mustered in as corporal, Co. D, 20 Aug 1862; returned to the ranks, no date; wounded in action, 3 Jul 1863, at Gettysburg, PA.; captured in action, 21 Jun 1864, before Petersburg, PA.; no further record.

¹²Bennett, Wesley–age,20. Enlisted 28 Jul 1862 at Lyons.Wounded in action 2 Jul 1863 at Gettysburg, PA.

¹³Bovee, Edward–age,18. Enlisted 17 Jul 1862 at Lyons. Wounded in action 2 Jul 1863 at Gettysburg, PA.

¹⁴Finch, Benjamin–age,31 Enlisted 28 Jul 1862 at Lyons to serve three years. Wounded in action, 3 Jul 1863, at Gettysburg, PA.; discharged, 17 Apr 1864, at Newark, NJ.

¹⁵Hunt, Albert A.–age,18 Enlisted 9 Aug 1862 at Lyons to serve three years. Wounded in action, 3 Jul 1863, at Gettysburg, PA.; discharged, no date.

¹⁶Frank, John A.–age,22 Enlisted 20 Jul 1862 at Sodus to serve three years. Wounded in action, 3 Jul 1863, at Gettysburg, PA.; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, no date, from which mustered out, 28 Jun 1865, as of Co. G, Tenth Regiment, at Washington, DC.

¹⁷Almarkinders, John.–age,35. Enlisted 7 Aug 1862 at Sodus. Wounded in action 2 Jul 1863 at Gettysburgh, PA.

¹⁸Dunning, John–age,18. Enlisted 29 Jul 1862 at Williamson to serve three years. Wounded in action, 2 or 3 Jul 1863, at Gettysburg, PA.; died of his wounds 7 Jul 1863.

¹⁹Pflug, Martin–age,19 Enlisted 6 Aug 1862 at Lyons to serve three years. Wounded in action, 2 Jul 1863, at Gettysburg, PA.; discharged for disability, 11 Dec 1863.

²⁰Carll, Simeon–age,23. Enlisted 5 Aug 1862 at Lyons. Wounded 2 Jul 1863 at Gettysburg, PA.; Killed in action 5 May 1864 at The Wilderness, VA.; also borne as Carroll.

²¹Larue, James H.–age,24 Enlisted 6 Aug 1862 at Lyons to serve three years. Promoted corporal, no date; wounded in action, 3 Jul 1863, at Gettysburg, PA.; discharged for disability, 29 Jan 1864.

²²Vandermerlin, Henry–age,23 Enlisted 11 Aug 1862 at Sodus to serve three years; mustered in as private, Co. D, 20 Aug 1862; wounded in action, 2 Jul 1863, at Gettysburg, PA.; mustered out with company, 4 Jun 1865

²³?Hunter, Thomas–age,45 Enlisted 20 Jul 1862 at Lyons to serve three years. Captured in action, 22 Jun 1864, at Petersburg, VA.; paroled, no date; mustered out with company, 4 Jun 1865, neat Alexandria, VA.

²⁴Warner, Ludewic–age,34 Enlisted 29 Jul 1862 at Lyons to serve three years; mustered in as private, Co. D, 20 Aug 1863; deserted, 2 Jul 1863, at Gettysburg, PA.; also borne as Louis Warnor and Werner.

²⁵?Weden, Charles–age,30 Enlisted 6 Aug 1862 at Lyons to serve three years; mustered in as private, Co. D, 20 Aug 1862; killed in action, 2 Jul 1863, at Gettysburg, PA.; also borne as Wedin and Weeden.

Camp near Frederick City Md
July 9th 5 AM

Dear Father

We left Tany Town yesterday moring at 6,30 AM & of all the Marching I have ever done, this was the worst. It had rained nearly all night, & was just pouring down, when we were Ordered to Strike Tents & be ready to move at 3 AM. The Mud was about 5 or 6 inches deep, some places thick & others thin & We marched through the Rain, until 2 PM, when we got along a little better. We arrived at the Camp, 5 miles from Frederick, at 8 PM pretty nearly exhausted.

Yesterday on the March one of the 125th. picked up a Revolver, & commenced fooling with it, & Shot one of his own men through the Head, killing him instantly. It was an awful sight.

Well we are at Frederick again, & are again Ordered to March, no one knows where. Some think we are going up to Antietim [sic], At any rate we have got some more marching to do. I am tired out this morning & would give anything for a Rest & I would like to be at Home, & get Mother to Bake me some Cakes. Well I must close as we are Ordered to strike Tents

My love to all

Manley

Line of Battle
Camp near
July 13th 63

Drear Father

After I wrote you the other day, from Tilmington we soon halted, & prepared to stay for the night. As bad luck would have it, I was Detailed for Picket, or rather to support Skirmishes.

After Marching an hour or two, we were posted for the night, we staid here until 3 in the morning when we were ordered to advance, as they had moved the line. Yesterday all day, we were Reserve for the Skirmishes & had to keep just so far in the rear of them. In the afternoon it got to be rather Hot, as the Sharpshooters, had pretty good Range of us.

Last night about 9 PM, I was Relieved & on my return to Camp found all my back Mail Which I was very glad to get. I suppose you are very anxious about me at home. well you may be, there is Danger here all the time Both on Picket & Skirmishing. Thus far I have come out all right, & I hope it will continue so. I shall run no needless risks but I shall do my Duty, whatever I do. There will be an awful Fight in my opinion here, if we act on the offensive, then I do not think we shall loose [sic] many men. but if we act on the Defensive, & attack them, then the men will be Slaughtered, by Wholesale.

We have a Heavy Force here & our Line of Battle completely surrounds them. This Fight will be the last for a month or so, Wither we shall win a glorious Victory, & Defeat Lee, or we shall be repulsed & have to fall back & [recruit] up. It was reported yesterday that we had 500 Pieces of Artillery here, We are all satisfied in regard to the result Though we should prefer to starve them out which we know we could do. We have got them Surrounded & they have got no chance to get Supplies. We can hold them where they are. If this Battle will (end) in the Total Defeat of Lee, & I be spared, then I shall feel, fully paid for all my Troubles. I think after the Battle, We shall rest, for a month or two so to recruit the men up, God knows they need it.

I can not tell you [how] glad I am to hear from you, now more then ever. Write just as often as possible. It does me a great deal of Good. You may be sure I shall write just as often as possible. This morning I am nearly tired out but writing home, rests me somehow. Kiss Maggie for me, Enclosed I send Maggie & Rosa a Ring. Tell them I made it for them

Manley

Line of Battle, near Boonston Ma
July 11,15AM

Dear Father

I received your letter of the 4th yesterday noon, while we were Halted for Dinner. You may be sure I was glad to get it, for I had not heard from Home, in over two weeks. I was pretty sure you would be in a great deal of trouble about us, so I wrote often.

We are now about, into another Fight, that is if the Rebs make a stand here, which I think they will do. After we Marched out on the Ferry Road, & turned off at Jefferson, for Sharpsburg, We now lay but a few miles from there. Yesterday there was Fighting here, the Rebs occupied the Ground in the Morning, & our Boys, drove then, over 3 miles. Yesterday we passed Maj Genl French, the Boys Cheered him well, when they knew who it was. We are about 2 miles from the River & about 6 miles from Williamsport, I think Lee will keep moving up this side, the River & we keep following him up, he will then watch his opportunity to Cross the River.

We are now in the Reserve, though some times the Reserve gets the Most Fighting to do, the 1st 11th & 12th Corps are all ahead of us, so we may see but little Fighting after all. Yesterday I was completely worn out, so I could scarcely walk, but I managed to stick it through til night. I was pretty nearly played out, this morning I am feeling a little better, & think I can stand it through today.

We have Orders to march at 6 AM. We have got 1 Sergt, 5 Corpls, & 7 Privates with us the smallest Co, in the Regt. Barney & Aleck stick it through, & are all right yet. I think, we shall go up as far as Williamsport today if no farther.

Our Regt is now Comanded by Capt of Co A Seeley, if he is Wounded, it will be comanded, by Lieut of some Co, God knows I hope it will not be. Our Brigade is comanded by Lieut Col [Bule] of 126th, I dread to go in Battle under him, he gets so excited, that he hardly knows what to do.

We now draw Rations regularly & are living better. Within this past week I have seen some awful sights, some that I never want to see again. Men wounded in every shape. I hardly think I shall get home in August, unless I get Wounded. I will write as often as possible

Love to all
Manley

Camp near Maryland Hights
1 mile from Harpers Ferry
July 16th 8,45 AM

Dear Father

I suppose you will be very anxious to hear from me by this time, but I have positively had no time to write before. I think the last I wrote you, was when we were in Line of Battle near [Hagers] town (Hagerstown). I am in no mood to write this morning, I have been too provoked. The [performance’s] of the past few weeks, has completely upset me.

I was in hopes, the Battle at Gettysburg & what would soon follow, would finish the Rebel army of the Potomac. Talk about the Army being in fine spirits, it is a Lie, They are all discouraged. I am played out. If there is an Honorable way of getting rid of Marching & Fighting I shall do it. If I had thought, this was the way it was going to end, I never would have marched as far as I did. There we were with double his Force, had him Surrounded & had 500 pieces of Artillery. All we waited for was the Order to Advance. But no, that would not do. At 3 AM, the morning that Lee crossed the last of his Force over, we were called up, & stacked our Guns, they were afraid we would be attacked. Then we had been laying 4 Days, the Enemy crossing all the time. They kept up a Strong Skirmish Line, to deceive us. The Fortifications that they had thrown up, amounted to nothing at all.

We left the Line of Battle at 11 AM, yesterday morning on the 14th, and marched nearly to Falling Waters, where we Camped for the night & drew Rations. Yesterday morning at 6, we started again, for the Ferry by the way of Sharpsburg. It was awful warm, I saw men Drop out, that were Sun Struck. We halted last night, about a mile from the Ferry, on the Ma side, & this morning marched opposite the Ferry, though did not cross the Pontoons. The place looks natural. We have now Halted, a little off, the Frederick Road, about a mile from the Ferry. Most likely we shall remain all day, then where no one knows. I heard we were to cross at Point of Rocks, but of course can not tell. I am Just about played out on Marching now, & shall soon stop.

I should not be surprised, if we yet turn up at Centreville. I do not know what Mead intends to do, or what he can do now, I have lost about 15 lbs since We left Centerville, & am about half starved, for a good meal, Hard Tack & Coffee, is hard feed, to march on.

I am in hopes, we shall get our Mail today & the Clothes we want. I want you to write just as often as possible, & I will do the same. Do not think I have no time to read Papers, for (I) do & very glad to get them.

Give my love to all

Manley

July 17th 7 AM
As good luck would have it, we do not march today. It is raining hard & is of course very pleasant, in Cotton Tents. Yesterday we drew, 3 Days Rations & the Clothing. This morning I am going with Green to help make out our Muster Rolls, at a House near here, I shall get my Dinner by it, which is a great deal now Days. I am in hopes we shall soon get our pay again. I shall not promise how much I shall send home, When a man is marching around the country the way we are, he cant live on half Govt Rations.

Hoping ro hear from you soon
Manley

Camp near Snickers Gab Va
July 19th 8 AM

Dear Father

I wrote you yesterday from near Maryland Hights which hope you will get all right. Yesterday morning, we left Camp & marched, over the Pontoons, through the Ferry, & across the Shenandoah, around Lowdon Hights. The Ferry looks a great deal more Desolate, than it did, when we left, everything going to Ruins. I noticed the Engine House, that John Brown Fortified, that is still in good Order. By the side of it, is Thousands of Gun Berrels, the Guns having been burned.

We had a very easy march yesterday resting often. We halted last night, about 4, at one of the Best Grounds we have ever had. The Fields are covered with Blackberries, the creeping Vines I have never seen such a Sight. I picked my Hat & all my Cups full, in no time. You should have seen the Boys, come back loaded, Caps, pails & Hdkfs full. We now are feasting on them. I have put some down in a Bottle that I shall carry to eat on Hard Tack. This day seems to me the nost like Sunday than any I have seen in a long time. I do not think we shall march today. Some of the Boys are visiting Home, some cleaning their Guns, rejoicing on account of the rest. We have all had a good Wash, & of course feel much better. I must confess, I am Homesick this morning, I would give a great deal to go to church, this morning.

I think now we have got to Lee, in a great deal tighter Fix, than we had him at Williamsport. He wants to cross the mountains & get to Richmond, There are two places where he can cross, Snickers & Ashbys Gap. We have got Possession of both these & our Army lays, all along, this side the mountain, between here & Richmond. All I hope is, we shall now clean him out, completely. I am afraid he will get out, however, just as he did before.

I am in hopes we shall get our mail again today & I shall hear from you. Some way or other, I expect a letter every time the mail comes. The last letter I got from you, Mother asked me how bad, my Back was Hurt. That is all right, it only made me lame, for a Day or two. I soon got over that.

As bad luck would have it, I have just heard, we have got to move, I do not think we shall go a great way however, I thought it would be too much good luck, to lay still on Sunday. we are having rather warm weather down here now, when it does not Rain. It rains however almost every day here & had done, every since we left Centreville. I have just heard we were going to Warrenton Though of course, can not tell how True it is, If so we have got some Marching to do. I think we shall keep between Lee & Washington, whatever we do.

I would like to have you send me a Hdkf, if you can. When we get settled again, I shall send for a Small Towel,

7,15 PM Sunday. Instead of our Rest as I expected, we were ordered to fall in & left Camp at 10 AM, we marched about 2 miles, then Halted an hour & a half, for Dinner. We have marched about 8 miles in all taking it as cool as possible for an awful Hot day. We are now, near Snickersville, where that Darky retreated from, last fall, that I captured at the Ferry. This is a splendid Country, through which we are marching, though the People have to suffer. We have, [fr.st] Mutton or a chicken every night, for supper. We have also, Wheat to sleep on every night. Not half the wheat is gathered yet.

(ed’s note:  the rest of this letter is missing.)