Manley Stacey Civil War Letters

Camp 4 miles from B Station
Nov 10th 3,30 PM

Dear Father

We left Camp at Brandy Station, at 7 AM & marched, to our present Camp, all I can tell you of the locality of the place is, that it is, 4 miles east of Brandy Station. Near a place called, Pepper Mills, We arrived here this morning at 10 AM, & was ordered to pitch Tents, as we were going to Camp here. How long we shall stay here I can not tell, nor why we came here.

It is a wonder to me, that we do not advance. We have got now 5 Days Rations. I think we shall stay here, until the RR, is opened, through to Brandy Station, so that we can get supplies, & then advance. I should not be surprised, if we got Paid off before we leave here. Our Boys seem to expect, a rough time, on this Campaign, & I think they will not be disapointed.

When we started off this morning, I thought certain we were going to Fredericksburg as we were on the Road. But here, we never know where we are going, or what we are going to do. I think from all I can hear, that Lee, has fallen back across the Rapidan, to his Fortifications. If this is so, I do not think we will advance on him. But what is the use of my writing this to you, you will read it before you get this.

We have got a Bully place to Camp, in a piece of Woods. You had ought, to have seen the Rail Fences, come down, when we Halted, this morning. We called on an old Secesh & took everything we could lay our Hands on, made ourselves free, Dug up his Turnips, & took the Cabbage. that is my style for such men, is to take every thing they have got, even to Shin Buttons, if necessary.

We hope to get the Mail, tonight, when I shall expect a letter from you. I hope you have recd all my Letters, so that you know my whereabouts. the Country around here is a great deal Better, than, around Centerville, Most of the Fences are Standing, But for all that things are run down. No men are to be seen, at the Houses nothing seems to be going on. All is quiet. There is no Cattle around nor Hogs, what there is left must not run across a Soldiers path.

I am very sorry I can not send Home, any money, this Pay Day. But as it is, I have but little coming. The Rebs raised the [Du..] with the Rail Road Track, between here & Warrenton Junction heating the Rails & bending them up.

Is is getting to be quite Chilly here now & very cold nights. But never mind this is the last Winter in the Service

Write often
My Love to all

Manley

Camp near B Station
Nov 21st 11 AM

Dear Father

When you send me a Newspaper, I wish you would send me a Lead Pencil, as I have used mine nearly up. When you get me another Diary, be sure & get one, like the one I now have, bound well, with a page for each day, The one I now have cost $1,50 I wish you would send it in time for the 1st of January. One of the Boys in our Co, wants you to get him one, the same time you do mine as we can get none here.

Our Brig Genl, is carrying things with a high hand, last night he ordered, 5 Days, Rations dealt out, which with the 6 Days we have on hand, would have made 11 Days, what do you think of that, for a load. Lusk, refused to take the Rations, & went to [Dir] Genl Hays, who [raved] around considerable & said his men, should not carry such Loads. We are on short Rations all the time, as we draw Field Rations, while we are in Camp, which makes a difference.

We have all we can do, to make both ends meet, Just at present we are having it very easy, in Camp as we have no Drilling to do, at all. The 1st, 2nd Grigades, of our Corps, have Conscripts, & have to Drill, nearly all the time. Well our turn, will come some of these days.

Things now look, in the Co, that Lieut Green will be Capt, and if Charlies Cookingham, does not come back a 1st Lient, will be promoted, from some other Co, into ours. The boys all expect this. When this is done I expect, Warren, will be 2nd Lient, & Catlin Orderly. This is the way things look to me now. If a Lieut is Promoted to our Co, from some other, I never will try to do anything. This is Col Macks plan of doing things. If this is not done, then I may get Orderly, nothing more. This may & may not be right. Nothing will be done, until the Co is filled up, at any rate.

I hope you will get the money I sent you & send me a good Watch. I think I made a good Profit, on the other.

This is a miserable kind of a day here, it is raining hard & has been all the morning. Well one thing we have to console us, when it rains, we do not think of advancing. They all talk of Meads, attacking Lee, in his Fortifications, on the Rapidan, but I do not think he will.

Sunday Morning 10 AM. It has cleared up again, after the Rain is now warm & comfortable. It is reported in Camp, this morning, that we march tomorrow, but I hardly think we will. It is the general opinion now in Camp, that our Brig will go home, before the 20th of next month. The Officers all think we shall go. I wish you would send me a few Stamps as I am entirely out.

Monday morning 23d. No move yet, not any sign of it. Send me some, 2 & 3 cent Stamps

Love to all

Manley

Hereafter we have got to keep on hand 5 Days Rations & 40 Rounds of Cartridges instead, of 8 & 60

Camp near B Station
Nov 24th [1 PM]

Dear Father

I did think of waiting, till I heard from you, before, I wrote, but as there is some prospect of moving I will write.

Last night I was on Camp Guard, at midnight, we got Orders to move, this morning, at Daylight. So at 4 AM, we had Roll Call, & had Orders to pack up everything, & be ready to Strike Tents, at a moments Notice. We fell in line about 6 AM, & after standing in line a few moments, an Orderly came from Hd Qtrs, & told us that the Order was Countermanded, So we put up our Tents, again. Today there is no signs of moving, It was intended, for us to cross the Rapidan for the Pontoons, were sent ahead of us. I think however, we shall soon advance across the River. things look like it, Some time this week, I think. One thing is certain, we can not move long. Now we are having very unsteady weather, now One day, it is Rainy, and the next pleasant.

Nov 25th 6 PM.  I have just recd your letter, of the 21st, and was glad to hear from you again. I was glad to get the T -, and in reply you say, send T F r n e. (editor’s note:????) And I will liberally reward you, one of these days.

You do not say in your letter whether you got the Money or not, I hope you will get me a good Watch, & send it some way soon, for I need one soon. There is no News in Camp today, I have had heard some Firing today, towards Culpeper, When we move, I think it will be towards Fredericksburg, I shall write, as often as I can find any News, to write. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving but I am afraid, all the Dinner, we get, will not hurt us, any. Capt Holmes returned tonight, looking well. I do not think he will stay long. He thinks we shall soon Move on, & so do I.

I shall be glad to hear from you as often, as possible

Love to all

Manley

——————–

Miss Rosa

I have just time to write a few lines, to you. You must excuse my not writing, a letter. I am much obliged to you, for sending the Tobacco to me, & will do as much for you some day. I think you are in pretty large business breaking up Matches, but then if you have made up your mind, to have H Case, go right in, Stop for nothing. I will write a letter to you soon.

Kiss Mother & Maggie for me, & tell Charlie, if he Enlists & comes here I will Shoot him

Your Brother

Nov 26th 4 AM. We have just read Orders to march at 6 AM, that is the way, we spend Thanksgiving

Camp on the Banks of the Rapidan, opposite Germania Mills
Nov 26th 5 PM

Dear Father

I wrote you a letter this morning, but as we are advancing, I will write often. We left Camp at 6 AM, & marched, about a mile, when we rested for half and hour, Then we got the News, of Grants Victory, Our Brig Genl called us in line, & made a short speech & told us the News, & called for 3 hearty Cheers, you had better believe, we yelled. We then marched to within, 1/2 a mile of Germania Ford, when, we laid in a Hollow, for 2 or 3 hours, while the Artillery got in Position, to Shell the Rebs, out if necessary, The 1st Division of our Corps, crossed as soon as the Pontoons were laid & advanced in the Fortifications but found nothing. We then Crossed the River about 4 PM& are now laying in mass, near Lees Rifle Pits. He had a good Position, but could not hold it, as we could get a Frank Fire on him.

We are now, in a little different Country, this is Splendid Country, compared with Centerville. I do not know whether we shall Advance to Richmond, or any other place. the Cavalry say, there is no Rebs within 20 miles, if here. But I guess we shall find them. This is pretty late in the year for such a movement, I think.

Nov 27th 5 PM. Well we are in for it now. We left Camp, at 7,30 AM & marched, through a very large piece of Woods, to the Gordinsville Pike, where our Advance soon commenced Skirmishing with the Rebs, we marched, on top of a nole, where we have been Skirmishing, ever since, & at times very lively. The Rebs are just ahead of us, on another Hill in a very thick Pine Woods. We can not tell how large a Force, there is ahead of us nor do I think we shall advance on them, until, we know, what they are doing.

Our Artillery has been talking to them some today, but got no answer. This makes us very Cautious, we are afraid of Masked Batteries. Tomorrow I think the Show will commence. We will then know whether they have any Batteries or not. We have thrown up a Temporary Breast Work, today but are afraid,we shall not Profit by them. We never yet had a chance to Fight behind Breast Works, so do not know, how it will work. We have got some Heavy Size Guns, now in our Corps, some 32 Pdrs.

2.30 PM 28th. Last night all was quiet, this morning at 5,30 AM we were relieved by the 1st Corps, we then fell back, a few rods, we then got Orders, to Advance, to act as Reserves, for the Skirmishes.

Genl Hayes, called on the old 3d Brigade, to follow him & we did Through, underbrush, weeds & everything else. We drove their Skirmishes, about a mile, through a thick woods, When we came out, we saw the Rebs, all Drawn up in line of Battle, on a high ridge, about 3/4 of a mile from us. We could see their Batteries, & line very plain. We are, now getting in Position & waiting for the Ball to open.

The Rebs have got the advantage of us, this time, they have got a better Position than we had at Gettysburg. One thing is certain if we are the Attacking Party, we are Whipped here. We have go our hands full, & we know it. We are waiting anxiously, to see how things will turn out. Our Co is all right so far, I hope I can say so, tomorrow night. Sunday we must Fight again. It has rained today, or we would have been in it today. Our Line is about 3 miles, from Orange Court House.

It was reported in Camp yesterday, that our Papers had come from Washington approved, that we go Home when the Campaign is over.

5 AM Nov 29th. All was quiet last night, I slept well, but dreaded the morning work, All the Boys around the fire, at night, were talking about [war] , I hope all of Co D, will be around the fire tomorrow night. Barney could not be persuaded, but that he would be killed today. This morning at 4,30 AM, we got up & cooked Breakfast, at 6 AM we were Relieved by the 5th Corps, & Marched back to where our First Line was, where we now lay.

We are in the Reserve for [once]. On some accounts, this is a good thing & on others, it is rough. For instance if the right of the Line is pressed hard, we will have to Double Quick it there, or the Left, the same. Where our 2nd Line, was, was called Chestnut, here it is called Locust Grove. Today it is Cold & Cloudy, & will soon Rain, I think we shall soon have a 3 Days siege. Last night we drew Rations, so we again have 5 Days on hand & one day in the Waggons. If we should get Defeated here, we can easily fall back on Fredericksburg where we can give the Johnies fits. Today the 6th Corps, has Volunteered, to storm the Rebs Hights & fortification, I am glad it is not us.

I saw the English Officers yesterday, who wanted too see a Battle, I saw them get out of the way pretty lively too, when the Rebs comenced Shelling. They think the 2nd Corps, is about right, so I heard. My Opinion is some thing will be done, on this Campaign, the Johnies will not Fight unless compelled too, but now is the time, that they have got to Fight, or Die. If we Fight here, I think we shall if Victorious, follow them up, & go in again.

The only thing that troubles us is, we get no Mail. When it does come, we are all right.

1 PM Nov 30th. Well now I can write a Different story, instead of our being Reserves yesterday, we were soon sent, way to the left of our line towards, Hanover Court House, When we started, we thought, we were going to Fredericksburg, but it soon turned out, that we were trying to Flank, them. We marched very quietly, no loud talking, or noise, & through the Woods, most of the way. We Halted at Oak Shade Church for an Hour, a very pretty place about 10 minutes South of Fredericksburg. We then came up, to the line on a Double Quick. While we were Planting our Batteries, the Johnies Shelled us a little, but did no Damage.

It was last night an awful cold night. We nearly Froze. This morning at 2, 45 AM, we were called up & Ordered to be ready for a General Engagement, at 8 AM, & be ready to move. We got our Breakfast, & 20 extra rounds, of Cartidges, About 6 AM we marched, down behind a thick piece of Woods, & but a short Distance, from the Rebs, B, works.  Here our Division was massed, the 1st Brig, ahead the 2nd & then 3d. The Officers then told us, that we had got, to charge, their Works. It seems the Whole Line, was to make, the Attack, together & to charge all along the Line. This looked like an awful job to us, the Rebs had B Works, with Artillery Posted so as to Rake us all down. It would have been, a 2nd Frederickburg. I began to think about making my will. We have not charged their Line yet, though expect soon too. We have got now just 117 men for Duty in the Regt, who will go into the Fight. I am now on the Picket Line, & can plainly see, the Rebs, walking about, with our Blue Clothes on. They are all the time working & getting ready for us.

Dec 3d 7 AM. Well we are home again, Alive & well.

I was relieved, from the Skirmish line, on tuesday at 2 PM & Came to Camp, there I found that the rest of the Troops had fallen back, all except our Division, they had been Parading around, to make a big Show.  At 8 PM, we got Orders to be ready to move at 8,30 PM We were to Cover the Retreat, our Brig [Centre] of Divis.  Of all the Marching we [have] done, this was the Worst,  We marched out on the Fredericksburg Plank Road, & all thought we were going there.  Yesterday morning we Crossed the Rapidan at Culpeper Ford, & laid a few hours for rest,  We left there at 2 PM & arrived at our old Stockade Camp, near B Station about 7 PM, comletely worn out. 

This morning I feel awful stiff, & lame.  Officers & all think this is to be our Winter Quarters.  Well on this Campaign, we have run a great deal of risk & been exposed some, but we are all right yet.  This Retreat right from in under the Enemy Guns, & lose nothing but a few Men, taken Prisoners, is a big thing. 

We have had no Mail for a week, so shall wait anxiously for the Mail. 

Barney Francisco, & 2 more of our Boys have not come up yet, they were on the Skirmish Line, were not relieved until after we started, so had to follow up in our Rear. 

Hoping to hear from you Soon, With Love to all

Kiss Maggie for me
Manley 

Camp near B Station
Dec 3d 1863

Dear Father

We are feeling rather Sad, tonight in our Co, Barney Francisco¹, Contant², from Marion, & Box³ from Sodus have been all taken Prisoners, It seems, that our Brigade, Skirmishes, were not relieved, the night we fell back, The others, were relieved at 3 AM, the next morning, but through some Carelessness, ours were not relieved, 127 men, were taken out of our Brig, & 30 out of our Regt. So now we can calcualte Barney is in Richmond.

Dec 4th.  This morning we got our back Mail, I read two letters from you & several Papers, with T enclosed, which I was very glad to get, especially the Green T.

This morning is it reported that Lee, has crossed the Rapidan, in two places, & is coming down to see us. We have just got Orders, to pack up everything, & be ready to move at a moments notice. Now for a general Sekdaddle, to Washington. It is also reported that Joe Hooker, had Comand of the Army again. If this is so, we may be kept pretty busy this winter. You may be sure we are living anything, but Comfortable, All the Rations we Draw, is Hd Tack, Coffee & Sugar & Beef, we have had no Pork in over a week.

One thing I forgot, to write in my last, that was our Piling up our Knapsacks, the day we expected to Charge, I tell you it was a solemn time, one I will never forget. Not a man, expected, to come back all right, especially after we saw, what we had got to do. If Hooker has got Comand, there is no Winter Quarters for us.

I hope you will send My Watch as soon as Possible, I need it every day. I think you could send it by Mail, by wraping it up well & sending it in a little Box.

I do not think Belles, is under Arrest, I know he is doing duty all the time & he would not if he was. I have drawn a pr of Gun Locks, & shall wear then until I get those from Home. I think I gave you a pretty good Account, of our late Advance & Glorious Retreat. There is no doubt, of our Boys being taken Prisoners. Poor Boys I pity them. I shall write to Francisco today. I will write to Mother in my next, no time now. I am very glad to get the Papers, I will write as often as possible, do the same.

Our mail leaves here at 4 PM, I do not see why you do not hear from me oftener & sooner

2 PM. No signs of moving yet today but think we soon shall

My Love to all
Manley

——————–

Camp near Union Mills
Dec 5th 1863

Dear Father

I am anxious to hear from you what to do in regard to Joining the Color Guard. I am waiting to hear what you think of it. I shall do nothing till I hear from you. I do not know as this is a good deal more Dangerous position than in the Ranks, at any rate I am willing to try it. I was ordered last night to fall out with the Colors, in case of an attack, during the night. One Corporal from this Co, must go, & if the Capt asks me to go, then I shall be willing to go. But if he comes & Detailed me to go, then I shall refuse. I have always been the first to do Duty, have done more Duty, than any other Corporal. And this is the pay, I get for it. One reason why I want to join the Colors, is to get out of the Co, I then should have no Duty to do in the Co.

This Regt is getting played out, Officers & men are Drunk all the Time. I have never seen the Col, Drunk, But I have seen the Doctor (Hopkins) Drunk. And then there is our own Capt, he Drinks a great deal lately, He went over to Washington tonite [to] the other Camp & was pretty Tight when he came home. I do not want you to tell of this, to any one, however true it is.

You have no Idea how this Co has run down, since leaving home. Then there is one thing that makes trouble in this Co, that is part are from Sodus & part from Lyons. The Co is divided & always will be. Things look now like the Capt being Promoted, then Green will be Capt. Then Sodus will run the Company. We had Service yesterday afternoon at 3, Just after Dress Parade. They read the Official notice of the Exchange for the first time yesterday afternoon. Better late than never, but we think it had ought to have been done before.

We are now, the 3d Regt, in 3 Brigade Caseys Division. Col De Utassi is the Brigadier. We have not been ordered out on Picket yet, but expect too soon. This is a hot place to go on Picket, as the Rebels, have Scouts & Pickets not far from here. By Joining the Colors, I get rid of that.

I think a great deal of my Pants, they look & wear well. My Diary is just the Thing I wanted I did not know half the things that belonged to me, Did Mother send me a Shirt, I would like to know. I got a can of Peaches & a Can of Plums. The things were used in Common. I think we shall have to fix up Winter Quarters again, I know one thing I shall fix up no more. The Picket Duty here is every 24 hours. & stay on 24 hours to a time. There is no Mail until Wednesday, it goes out every day & after that it will come every day. That is if communication is not cut off between here & Alexandria. And there is but little danger of that, for if it is necessary all of the Regts will Guard the Track.

I am anxious to hear from home

Love to all
Manley Stacey

Camp in Stevensburg Va
Dec 6th 63

Dear Father

It is awful Cold today, but I thought I would try & write you a few lines. Yesterday morning at 4 AM we were called up & Ordered to be ready to move at 7 AM, At 7, we marched, South west about 3 miles to a place called Stevensburg, where the Cavalry had a Fight, a week or two ago, Here after some trouble, finding ground we went into Camp, Our Regt lays on a nole, right where the wind has a full sweep at us. We have to go 3/4 of a mile for Wood, which we do not like. I think we shall go down to Brandy Station, where there is more Wood.

It was Reported here yesterday that our Regt, was going there to Guard the Comissary, we are now, about 2 1/2 miles South of B Station, 5 miles East of Culpeper, & about 8 East of Pony Mountain, We can plainly see the Church Steeples in Culpeper.

This is an awful cold Sunday, we have to lay in bed, to keep from freezing. I think now we shall soon go into Winter Quarters, near here. This place, used to be a Splendid little Town, but now is Sadly Changed. The Inhabitants say they have nothing to sell to Yankees, so of course we take it.

Going Home to Recruit seems to be played out, we hear nothing of it. Nothing has been heard from our Boys, there is no Doubt, that they were taken Prisoners. I wrote to Francisco yesterday.

This I suppose is Charles Birth Day, tell him I thought of him while eating my Breakfast, of Hard Tack & Coffee,

I suppose you have seen the account in the Papers of our Campaign. The Herald does not give Warren the Credit he Deserves, When Mead, sent him an Order for him to Charge the Works his answer was, I can do it, but there will be no 2nd Corps Left, That shows the Mans prudence, in not sacrificing his men. We like Warren, Old Hays told Warren, he could take the old 3d Brigade & take [the] Works.

There is but little news in Camp, today. Yesterday we drew Soft Bread & Whiskey. This seems but little like Sunday to us here, not more then half know it is.

Hoping soon to get that Watch

I remain with Love to all
Manley

I sent 2 letters from Mrs Stout

Camp on Dumpling Mountain
Dec 8th [9] PM

Dear Father

Yesterday morning, we have Orders, to pack up everything, again, for a move. We marched on top of the Mountain, where we now lay, where wood is plenty, & everything nice for Stockading. Yesterday & today we have been fixing up for Winter Quarters, as we have been Ordered too. We have everything Convenient, so we can live Comfortable. We are now living a great deal better, our Rations are better now, than ever before. If we lay here, we take Comfort.

There is but little news, in Camp, The old Story about going home, is revived. I wish you would send me, on my Diary, be sure & send me a good large one, well bound. We had a Funeral, today, in our Regt, a man in Co H, Driar. He has been sick a long time & has been Carried about in the Ambulances, on this last Campaign, when the man was nearly Dead.

Wed Dec 9th 10 PM. It was reported in Camp, last night, that we were to move across the Rhapanock [sic], today, or in a few days at least. I suppose you have heard, that the 1st & 6th Corps, are being sent to Reinforce, Grant, So we are to fall back, across the River. There may be no truth in the Story, but I should not be surprised, if we had too.

When we Crossed the Rapidan, we took over 150,000 feet of nice Pine Lumber, The Officers are building Stockades of them. Genl Warrens Hd Qtrs, are at Lees House. You have asked me several times, if Hooker has returned to the Co, he has not nor do I think He will. Perhaps you remember, when Home I told you, of a Sergt, in out Regt who Volunteered, to burn a Barn at Gettysburg, which was filled with Sharp Shooters. He has just been Promoted to 2nd Lieut, in his Co. Col Lusk, has been trying to get a 2nd Lieut, in Co G, Promoted to Capt, in our Co, if this is done, there will be a muss in our Co.

We are living very well just now, out of the [Sutler], I will tell you some day the Modus Operandi. Capt H is still with us, though doing no Duty. Lieut Green is as Absent Minded as ever.

I hope you will soon send the Watch, as I need it Daily. Shall I send my diary home by mail or keep it. I am very glad to get the Daily Papers, also the T. The Tea you sent me the other day, went tip top. It was a good change, from Coffee.

Maj Hinman, says we shall do Duty, in Auburn this Winter, I hope so. No News yet from our Boys, I think there is no Doubt, they were taken Prisoners

I shall hope to hear from you soon

Love to all

Manley

——————–

(editor’s note: the following letter to Charles is undated, but was kept filed with the one above and seems to fit the time period contextually)

Charles

I suppose I must write you a few lines, this morning. In regard to the money for the Horse, I am afraid I can not help you much. I am short of Friends, at present, not having Drawn much, at the last Pay Day. I should like to help you, but can not at Present,

I suppose you see by this time, that I belong to the Crack Army Corps, the one that had the Post of Honor in the last Campaign, the one that Volunteered to do, what the 6th Refused, namely to turn Lees, right Flank, & Storm the Heights, Bully for our Side & the 2nd Corps, I am too tired today to write much, having just built my House, the Furniture, that I have Ordered from New York, has not come yet, when My Piano, comes I will write you, to come & see us.

We have a Dime Society here next Wednesday night. Fare, Hard Tack & Coffee & Coffee & Hd TK

Write Soon

Your Loving Brother
Manley
2nd Corps
Pride of the Army

Camp on Dumpling Mount
Dec 17th 11 AM

Dear Father

I received your letter of the 12th. last night, so today will answer it.

There was 120, out of this Brigade Taken Prisoners, that I know to be true, It is now understood that this is to be our Winter Quarters. Genl Warren, told our Brig Genl, so yesterday, So now we can feel settled. For the past few Days it had been very fine, & we did not know, but Lee, would Advance on us. I wish He would, as we have a Splendid Natural Position here,

You ask Me if I have a Blanket Yet, I have, & had on the Campaign, without it I should have Frozen, We have nothing but Shelter Tents, but have them stockaded, so they answer very well. But for all that, it is some trouble to keep warm in them.

I think if you can send the Watch, to Mr Millards, that I could get a chance to send there for it. I do not know why you could not send it by Mail. Watches are sent that way, from New York, safely. I got the pencil you sent, and shall soon want another.

I never want to see Grant, in comand of the Army of the Potomac. Mead suits the Boys. Capt Holmes, went all through this last Campaign, with us, & is still with us, Capt Holmes, is not going to Resign until Spring, and is going to stay here with us. This will put off, all Promotions until this is done. He will Probably Resign when we Advance next Spring. I do not like this, it is not right [our] using the Boys right, by any means. [He] can do no duty, but just lays around.

If you want to come down here, I do not think You would have any more trouble getting Transportation, than you did to [Centreville]. There is something to see here, it is different from Centreville.

They are now granting Furloughs in the Regt, col Lusk has gone Home, MacDugal, is Home on a Sick keave. Major is in Comand we have easy times now, everything has to go just [so]. Lt Green, is quite Sick, in the Hospital, he is going Home on a Sick leave. Lusk has been trying to get him to Resign, and he wants to Put another Lt in. This will cause a Row in Co. D.

We have now 17 men in the Co to Draw Rations for, 6 non Comiss, 1 Drummer & Capt, Waited, leaving 9 men for Duty. This is pretty small. But for all that we do not want any Recruits, for then we would have to Drill, all the time, We want them for the Springs Campaign, however, & plenty at that. I am glad to get the Papers, though we occasionally get the Daily Papers here

I suppose you have Jeffs Message, what do you think of it

Hoping to hear from you soon

Manley

Lyons Dec 31, 1863.

My esteemed friends:

Yours containing the sad intelligence of Manley’s death was duly rec’d. The first I had heard of the facts. I have just learned by way of Cap Holme’s wife in regards to the cause. This renders the melancholy news more painful.

I have seen Mr [Davis] who says that the church shall be in readiness at the appointed time. I have also been to the Cemetery and selected a Lot – the one Saml J. [Gold] had taken. but will not use in consequence of burying upon his [farm]. The price will probably be about $20. I [ ] Mr [P..hall] and waited [some] time to have him fix the exact amount, but he has just called upon me and says that he cannot tell me now the exact time it was taken up by Mr Gold and hence cannot [compute] the exact amount. The price will be $14 and interest [thirteen] June the time it was taken by Mr Gold. I think it was almost 4 year since.

My delay in writing was in Consequence of waiting to see Mr Gold to ascertain if he would [ ] it up. This he readily did. The good lots are now very scarce. This one I like the best of all remaining under[ ] of, lies near Mr Lyons on one of our main ways. I have also [ ] will attend to all the funeral arrangements as you desired from the church in due time. It is [hope…] that by a previous engagement I may be away on that day on a visit to my mother [and] cannot return until Monday if I go. If this should happen I will have some suitable person attend to the arrangements on that day. Be assured that all will be seen to. I have just seen Mr Holly of []ainville to whom you had written, he will endeavor to be here

Oh my dear friend what a trial! How often have I heard you speak of him with such parental regard and solicitude. One more leaf to be added to this wanton and wicked rebellion – and what a sad one to you. Our youth go forth in vigor and buoyancy at their Country’s Call amid the glare and [ ] of the excited multitude. Many very many of them alas never to return only as lifeless forms. My heart is filled with sadness as almost daily I hear of some noble hearted Soldier friend has fallen. It is useless for me to attempt word of consolation. I too have lost a dear child. before that time I imagined I could sympathize with that similarly afflicted, but I then knew nothing. No one can until they are called upon to pass thro’ the Dread ordeal – Human aid and sympathy in such an hour is indeed weak and to be highly prized. but they wait not. there is but an ounce of Consolation – I will not suggest it were. You my friend know by experience upon whom to rely in this sad hour. May the good Father look in tenderness and pity upon you and yours.

Truly as ever

S.R. [Gr…]

Come by way of the [..lleway] roads passed the Depot and some of us will meet you. We understand the funeral to be at 1 1/2 oclock unless we hear from you to the contrary.