Manley Stacey Civil War Letters

Camp Pomeroy
Jan 1st 1863

Dear Father

Yesterday we had a considerable excitement on Picket, about 2 PM, the word was passed along the Lines, that the Pickets on our left were driven in. We then had orders to draw our loads, & get every thing ready to rally, at a moments notice. This story soon proved untrue.

Some of the 17th Penn Cavalry, saw some of our Cavalry coming across the River & they broke & ran. So there was no danger.

About 6 PM, a Porker crossed my Beat, & as we had no orders to let a man pass, Billy Waters Shot him, he was a splendid pig and weighed about 150 pounds. We cut him up & cleaned him, & then Skinned him.

About 3 AM this morning, the 27th Maine, relieved us so we marched back to Camp, with our pork, arriving at 4 AM. then we had 2 hours to sleep.

At 8 AM, we was ordered to be ready in a half hour, for Inspection & Muster. After a great deal of Swearing the boys, prepared. We had Just 1/2 an hour to Scour our Guns, black our Boots & pack Knapsacks, we made things fly for a short time. At 9 AM, we fell out, & was soon Mustered & Inspected.

About 11 AM, the Report came around the Camp, that we had Marching Orders, for Union Mills, tomorrow morning at 5 AM. You can Imagine how Mad we were. We had just got the Trunk, brought by Budlong, & had not got all the things out yet. And to make the Matter worse, the Col has forbid the boys to carry anything except in their Knapsacks & Haversacks. Now what in the world shall we do, we can not carry the Trunk’s & can not sell them. Granger says he will do all he can, to get it carried for us.

what a dinner we had to day, I would have given $5,00 if you could have seen us, what a Happy set.

I do not know how in the world we shall carry the things. And then to make the Matter worse, Catlin is promoted to Sergt. I am sick & disgusted, with the whole performance, What encouragement is there for a man to try to do anything, if he is to be trampled on, & run over by every Slink. What in the world is the matter with the Capt, we soon shall have a Lodus Administration here, The moment Green is Capt I will Desert, I never will stay in the Company. I shall not try to do any thing more in the Co. I have done more duty, than any other Corporal & this is the pay for it. I am sick & discouraged who can help it. I dont care what I do now.

All my things came right except the Oysters, they were spoiled. Budlong sent the Trunk to Alexandria, by Express, & we sent for it. He has not done just right about this.

I can not write a letter today, Now there is one thing the 24th Maine, is to be kept near W, while we are sent off. They are 9 months men, they are to be kept back, while we three Years men must be pushed forward. I am going right into the Rebel Lines & be taken Prisoner. Barney, Al, Aleck & myself have agreed on it. This kind of thing is played out.

Lt Crowl is going to get his discharge & will come home. My pants fit tip top, & I like then very well. I like the Diary, first rate, it is Just what I wanted. I have got several things, I would like to send home, if I could get a chance, but I am afraid I shall not.

We still have a great time here to night, [but] little sleep for us. where in the world we shall turn up next nobody knows. I never want any thing more sent from home. It does not pay. I will write as soon as I get settled. All Letters directed to Washington, will reach me

Love to all

Manley

On Picket 4 miles South East of Centerville
Jan 7th /63

Perhaps you may be surprised to see where this is from, but as moving is the order of the day, you will have to get used to that. Yesterday morning. Co D & H were ordered to be ready to strike our Tents at 9 AM. And to be ready to march to Centerville, with all their Baggage.

About 11,30 we started & of all the [ ] [things] I ever saw, this beats all . Very soon after we got started it began to rain, & then our Fun Commenced.

On our way, we passed some Forts built by the rebels, that they used Wooden Canons¹ in, Also long lines of Earthworks, used at the Battle of Bull Run.

We are at C, about [4],30 PM, & after a little delay, Pitched our Tents, on the wet & muddy Ground. We then as Soldiers always do when camping on a new Ground went off to see what we could Draw, we soon found some Staves for a Floor, & an old kettle, with which we made a Stove. It was an awful cold night, but we managed to keep warm.

This morning we left Camp about 10 AM after a great deal of Marching & Counter Marching, we arrived at our Post. We are now on a part of the old Bull Run Field, I can see all around me now, old Gun barrels, Knapsacks, Shells & every thing belonging to a Soldier. This is the Ground where Jackson lay last winter. I see a great many things laying around here that I would like to send home if I could for Relics.

We did not succeed in sending home the Box, we expected to. I do not think we shall be able to send any now. I can not tell how long we shall stay out here, at C, probably not more than 2 weeks. Lieut [Green] told me we should yet go [back] to Washington to Guard there. I hardly think this will be so, I think we shall stay at the Mills all winter. We are in the Barrack now with 39th NYm 125 NY, 126th NY & the 151st Pa. all under De Utassi.

I have not heard from home in over a week, I am getting very anxious to hear from you. We shall get our Mail every other day, if not every day. We are on the road where Stewarts Cavalry cut themselves through our Pickets a week or two ago. The day before New Years, we heard a great deal of Firing towards the Point of rocks, if there was a Battle there,

I wish you would send me a paper with an account of it. Hoping to hear from you soon, and will write as soon as we are relieved.

Love to all

Manley

We have got to stay one day on Picket & be relieved two days. We have two Co’s from each of the Regts with us to relieve us.

¹Wooden cannons or “Quaker guns” from the abandoned Confederate camp near Centreville (National Park Service photo):

 

Jan 9th /63

Dear Father

I received two letters from home, this AM, with $5,12^cts in, which I am very glad to get. I wrote to you on the 7th, but got no chance to send it, as the mail has not commenced running regularly yet. The day I wrote to you, we had got settled for the night. We then marched into to [sic] Camp, to rest the best way we could until the next morning at 6, when we got orders, to be ready to go Picket again, at 9 AM. This would not been so very hard, if we did not have to carry our Knapsacks. So yesterday morning we marched out again.

I got a very good Post, with 6 men, to Watch the Manassas Gap RR Bridge, to keep any one from Crossing, but as there was two men to a post, it made it better for the men. Everything went off all right during the night. We were relieved at 8 AM, & took things cool back to Camp. almost as soon as we got back, we got the order to be ready for Battallion Drill at 2 PM. This was hard on the boys, that had been up all night. We had a very good Drill for an hour, then 20 minutes, to get ready for Dress Parade.

I am falling out as Color Guard, every time the Regt turns out, the Sergt, told me if I wanted to join the guard, I could have it certain, now all I want is your Answer. It would be a good thing for me, in more ways than one, I should get rid of Picket Duty & that is something.

Col Segoines Farewell Address was read on Dress Parade to night. How Touching his farewell to his brave boys of the 111th. We shall miss him Oh, how much. We think a great deal of our Lieut Col, now our Col, we are not afraid to go into Battle, under him. He is a Splendid, looking Soldier & a Gentleman.

Capt handed me my Letters, today, & said, here Stacey is your Letters with the Quartermasters, thanks for your kindness towards him. So by that I think, he had found out who wrote the Letter. I heard nothing more about it, so think he will do nothing. I think if you continue to Publish my letters, that you had better change the Letter to C, or any other you choose.

I shall expect to see you in Washington, this winter. Our Sergt says, we shall go to Washington & do Provost Duty¹. It is reported all over Camp, that we shall move to W, & do guard Duty at the [Chain] Bridge. Lieuts Dreyer, who is clerk to the Brig Genl, says we have got marching orders [first]. Dont we hope it is so. what comfort we could take there. We are now right in Front & only two Regts here, with a Battery of 10 Guns.

I forgot to say that our whole Regt is here now. Our Regt with the 39th NY or Garibaldi Guards, is the only Infantry force here. If we are not careful, there will be a 2nd Harpers Fferry Scrape. we have had several Posts of cavalry taken this week. I can tell you something to your comfort. Picket Post are hardly ever Fired into, almost always, they are Sourrounded [sic] & taken Prisoners. The next Parole, I get will be not to take up arms against the CSA, during the war. Nothing else will suit me.

Will write again tomorrow. Did you send me a Shirt, in the last Trunk

Love to all

Manley

¹ What was Provost Duty?:  Soldiers acting as military police, also acting as security for military installations and in civilian areas, for example in Washington DC, and other related duties.

Camp Near Centerville
Jan 11th /63

Dear Father

I sent you a long letter yesterday, & now will try another.

Yesterday I was Detailed to go on Camp Guard, everything went well, as could be expected, with a regular Virginia Rain. Our Guard House, is two Tents, with no Floor & a Stove in but one of them. Of all the days & nights that I ever spent, this beats all, It was a regular old Soakin [sic], the Tents, so crowded, that we could not sit down, Sleep nor anything else.

Last night about 10,30, one of the Garibaldi Officers, came in to our Camp & reported to the Officer of the Guard, that 6000 Rebel Cavalry, were Just outside of our Pickets, & were advancing on the Pickets. You may be sure this Caused no little Excitement in our Camp, The Guard all received orders, if they heard any firing, to immediately fire the Signal. The signal is two Guns in Quick succession. Then the Guard was to be rallied, & resit the Attack, as long as possible, or until the Regt could be rallied. the Col gave orders to every Commissioned Officer not to sleep during the night. If it had not been such an unpleasant night, the Col said he would have had the Regt in Line of Battle. Thus we wore the night away, expecting an attack, but was not so favored. The Battery Boys, were nearly frightenened to death at the prospect of a Battle. the QM, had his horses hitched up all night, all ready to move the Supplies. The night passed away with out any trouble. I should not be surprised if we were attacked at any time. Things look like it now.

We are now right in Front, no mistake. At Fairfax Court House 4 miles East of this, there is 80 Pieces of Canon, & a Considerable Infantry Force. If we are attacked & can not hold the Place we shall most likely fall back [there]. It is reported that we are to be paid off between now & the 15th, Hope it is so. I expect we will get Marching Orders this week, for Washington. We are not fixing up here to stay any length of time & it would not be right to stay here over a week.

Enclosed in this I will send Charlie & Rosa a piece of the Manassas Gap RR Bridge, which the rebels built to bring their Supplies to Centerville & they Destroyed it over the River. It is the Bridge I Guarded. I crossed this Bridge went over into the Rebel Lines a little ways but concluded not to stay this time. I expect we shall have to go out & reinforce the Pickets, that would be our Luck.

6 PM. About an hour ago, three Regts of Cavalry came in here & fed. They are bound for [Warton]. So that looks like the fighting being done farther out. Some of our Cavalry Pickets, came in to night & say there is no Danger in the world, There was only a few Scouts out. It was reported here tonight, that 10,000 men were on the way here to defend this place. There is a great many rumors here to day, about our leaving this Camp. I do not know how true it is.

We had Dress Parade this 3 PM, & then a little Drilling in Double Quickly. We Drilled in Firing & then Retreating & loading, then Firing. We had one Drill Charging on a Battery. the Color Sergt & I was the first to mount the works. The Color Sergt, told me to night that he wanted me for the next Color Sergt, to carry the State Banner. He said he would speak to the Col & have me made the next Color Sergt. What do you think of that. You have not told me what you thought of Color Guard. By doing this I would get out of the Co.

You have told me nothing about the Donation, I am very anxious to hear about it. I got a long letter from Philip Clause’s Father, asking me, to do my best to get, his Son a Furlough, He says he thinks I have some Influence with the Capt, & urges me to do all in my power, to get him a Furlough. It is a very Complimentary letter to me. I will send it to you as soon as I answer it.

The Mail does not run very regular so I can not send home very often. I have recd the money all right & will try & not bother, you again, very soon. I want you to take the $40 if we are Paid Off, to pay for what you send me. I guess it will not more than pay you.

We had Prayer this PM, after Dress Parade, It was too cold to have Preaching. The best thing that I have seen in Chap Brown is his going out with us the Sunday night, we expected to have the Fight. there was Six or Eight Regts drawn up in Line of Battle that night, expecting Stuarts Cavalry all in different places.

I heard about [Squire] Millard the other day, from an old man, that lives near here. He says he knows him well & that he has been away Sick for a few weeks past. He lives now 229 North Capitol St Washington. If I ever go to W, I shall call on him.

I think we shall go out on Picket tomorrow night, as Reserves.

I wish you would send me some Emery Cloth, to clean my Gun with, it comes in Sheets & I think you could send it in a letter on Paper. We have to keep our Guns very clean, & have nothing to clean them with. Nothing suits me better than to get Letters from home. I can carry my Knapsack a great deal easier, when I expect to get a Letter from Home.  You will have to take out a considerable for Postage from the $40. I have Just written a Letter to Mr Holt to night.

Write Soon

Manley

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Mother

I can not tell you how glad I would have been, to have went to Church with you to night, instead of staying here in my Tent. I think of home Sunday nights of all times. I think I should be willing to sit up in front.

Where do you think I had better select my 160 Acres of land. I see a great deal of Government Land now & could make a good selection.

I think something is up, as our cook is cooking three days Rations tonight. Will [sic] do not expect to stay here now long.

I am very sorry to hear of Maggies being Sick, poor child & I pity her. I wish I could see her. Kiss her for me. Tell Rosa I like to get her letters, & will write to her soon.

We are very busy now & have been for a week or two past. For instance, the day we came off Picket at 12 PM, at 2 Battallion Drill, Dress Parade at 4, & then the next day at 8 AM, were on Guard & had to be up all day & night. So you see I have but little time to do anything. when I am Color Sergt, I shall not have so much Duty to do.

Jan 12 8 AM. No alarm during the night, everything all right. Beautiful morning, like spring. I am sorry I did not send home for [Havelock], they are nice in a Rain. hoping to hear from you soon

Love to all

Manley

Camp near Centerville
Jan 14th /63

Dear Mother

I received your letter last night & will reply immediately.

I can see you do not wish me to belong to the Color Guard, I have not been Detailed yet, & think now I shall get something better. the Color Sergt, wants me to carry the State Colors, & he will soon get his discharge, I should be Ranking Sergt, & carry the emblem. There is but little news in Camp now, all seem to think we shall soon move somewhere, but we can not tell when.

Jan 15th 9 AM, I could find no news to write yesterday, so defered [sic] it till to day. I was on Guard yesterday & last night, & had ought to be asleep, but will write today. Our Co, was ordered out as Reserve Pickets last night, returned all right this AM.

I had another talk with the Color Sergt, yesterday, he said he was going to resign, & that he was going to Resign in my Favor, so if I can get Color Sergt I shall take it. Louis Dreyer 2d Sergt in our Co, is going to get his discharge, he says he would resign in my favor, if he possibly could, I think there will be another Promotion in the Co, before long, but I ask nothing of Capt H. I heard yesterday that they were going to commence paying off this Brigade to day, but I think they will not yet. there is nothing to write here today, No News.

7 PM. I will now answer your last letter, of the 12th. I have not made up my mind yet whether to join the Color Guard or not. Probably I shall. I thought I mentioned my receiving the Vest by Granger. It came all right.

I did not know that I had been haunting You, I thought I had been here all the Time.

I am not coming home till I get my discharge. Tom Hooker came up with us from Chicago, today he is looking very well. We are to go on Picket tomorrow, again. Of all the Cowards I have ever seen, Green, is the biggest one I have ever seen. Tonight he told us that we had better carry our knapsacks out on Picket, for if we were Taken Prisoners we would want them. Just as if we would carry them, if we were taken. He said there had been several alarms along the Lines to day & we might have trouble. God knows what he would do in Battle.

We have been cleaning up a Large piece of Ground, this PM, for Drill Ground. Now I think we will move, for Just as soon as we get fixed up we move. You have not told me about the Donation yet, have you forgotten it.

I must close this Letter, as it is near Taps, to have Lights Extinquished, & I must make my Bed.

Good Night
Love to All

Manley

Please send me a Fine Tooth Comb

I will write again soon

M T Stacey

Camp near Centerville
co D 111th Regt NYSV
Jan 16th /63

Dear Father

I wrote you a letter yesterday but could think but little News. Today I can do better.

I expected to go on Picket today with the Company, but got excused, had Corporals enough. I think it was time for me to get excused from some Duty.

It is the greatest wonder in the world for me, that the Rebels do not attack us, here we are, not more then 900 strong, with 10 Pieces of Artillery, which would be of little use in the night, especially if we were Surprised. our Pickets are no Protection to us, as they are from 1/4 to 1/2 a mile apart & then only have 3 or 4 men on a Post. I never have seen such a Foolish way of Doing Business, as they have here. For instance, the other night when we expected an attack, our Orders was to rally the Guard & resist the enemy as long as possible, [or] until the Regt could turn out, Now what in the world could 40 men do. And how quick they could cut us to pieces, before the Regt could turn out. I tell you it would take [long] time to turn out a Regt in the night, especially a green Regt, like ours.

And then our Officers. there is but few in the Regt that I would like to Fight under. The least alarm, they are Frightened to death. A man could Fight a great deal better, if he knew his officers were cool & collected. I think we can depend on our Staff Officers, but the Line Officers, are (some of them) a Shaky set. I do not think anything could Frighten our Capt, he is always cool. that is his only good Trait. We made a miserable Change in Lieuts, when we changed Moor, for Green. At least I think a great deal more of Moor the Green. It is a pity there is such a Division in our Co, we commenced well, & are just as well Drilled a Co as any on the ground. I do not know how they will ever fill up this Regt, they never can by Recruiting.

I never will have any of my Friends Enlist in this Co, or Regt, not if I know it, I would write & discourage it. I think they will have to Consolidate it with some other Regt yet. Is is [running] down real fast, by Sickness, & by Desertion. Co B alone has 25 Deserters. 14 went from this Co to the Doctors this AM, to be sure not all were sick, enough, but some are always getting excused by the Doctor when there is any Duty to do. that is something I have not done yet, though I was half a mind too [sic].

this AM it was raining & miserable day to go on Picket. There is some that can always get rid of Duty, but I can not, nor do I try. we have heard a report, here for a few days past, that England had said, she would give the South 40 days to lay down her Arms in, or else She would interfere. That She (the South) would never Conquer, & that She must close this war. Is there anything, in this report, We want no Foreign Intervention on either side. What in the world is Burnside doing now.

all the news I see, is in the Papers you send, & I am very glad to get them. I should like to send home my Diary if I could, but do not know when I could get a Chance. I think there is enough in the Co, that want to send home things, to fill the Trunk but do not know whether we will or not. I have several things to send home.

Now there is one thing that I have forgotten, that is Capts Style of Promoting. there is [P…] from Sodus, he has been Promoted, every time there has been any Promotions. He never has done a days Duty in the Co. Is that any way to do Business. Keeping his place open. He now got his Discharge.

Now I will give you our Programm[ing] for for a day. 6 AM Roll Call, 6,15 Police Call, to clean up Streets, 6,30 Sick Call, & Breakfast, 9 officers Drill, 10 to 12 Do Drill, 12 Recall from Drill. 12,30 Dinner Call, 2 PM Battallion Drill, 3,30 Recall from B Drill, 4 PM dress Parade, 6 PM Supper, 7,30 Roll Call, 8 PM Taps to Extinguished. Now when you think we have to keep our Guns just so Bright, not a speck of Rust on them, & nothing to do it with, You can see how much time we have, for ourselves.

I shall hope soon to get rid of some of this Duty before long.

7,30 PM. I got you letter at 4,30 PM, & will answer it. I think Mother is doing better now, That is what I like. I think some as she does, that there will be a Battle here, before long. This is a good place for it. Tonight at Battallion Drill The color Sergt came over to my Tent, & told me to carry the Colors that he had resigned & that he had reccomended [sic] me to the Col, so now if the Capt does not object I shall be Color Sergt, of the Bloody 111th. He may not be willing, if not then all is Duty and carrying Knapsack. I drilled with the Colors at 8 PM. I shall know pretty soon what will be done. Color Sergt is a good Position, ranks as Orderly $22 a Rank [Ca ],

There is but little news in the Camp to night, all quiet. It has been reported in Camp, today, that 17 of our Cavalry Pickets taken last night for [for] the Horses.

Jan 17th 7,20 AM. This has been the coldest night we have had, we could but keep warm no way. Mother asked me how [Sol] Crowl got his discharge. He played up sick to get it, & layed in his Tent several days. Then his Capt helped him, also Mason Smith. I never will play up sick to get my Discharge never.

Mother wanted to know, if my Face, was the reason of my joining the Army. It is not. I joined the Army, because it was my duty, & because I did not want to be the only young man left in the place. How much will a man be thought off [sic], if he had not been in Service.  I think in a few years, almost all Government offices, will be filled by Soldiers. That will be looked at. do you think a man will be thought much off [sic], that stayed at home such a time as this, that could have joined the Army. no sir I am not sorry that I am here, nor that I have been through what I have. To be sure this is not the pleasant[est] place in the world, but what of that.

Much obliged for the Papers. I think some of my letters must get [there], for I write very often.
Love to all

Manley

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Camp near Centerville
11 AM jan 16th

Charlie

We are having a Specimen of Camp Life to day, It is Slightly muddy here, raining hard & everything looking miserable. Perhaps you do not know what it is, Slightly Muddy, it is mud 6 inches deep. Al & I are alone in the Tent to day, both writing Letters, Al says give Charlie my best Aspects, & to give Sarah a Smack on the cheek for him.

We have more fun in out Tent than any other on this Street. Al has an Exhibition in our Tent every night. You should come in to our Tent at night after we have all gone to bed, we lay spoon Fashion, if you know how that is, & when we turn over, we call out all together right or left. When we make up the bed all but two have to go visiting, as there is no room. Our Beds, are not such miserable ones, as you have at home. We first lay our Rubber Blankets on the Ground. (We have no Floor) then our Bed Ticks & then our blankets, Knapsacks for Pillows. We have to sleep with coats on, & have [to] lately with Boots on, It would not do here, to take our things off. the Rebs would snatch us.

I want you to take care of that revolver, keep it cleaned up with emery Paper, do not let it get rusted, oil it a little once in a while. I do not think Father need be afraid to let you carry it, if you are careful. I should think you could get Cartidges off Bennett, to fit it. When I get my Pay, I will send you home a $1,00 to get some.

Our Drummer is going to get his discharge, so then would be a chance for you, what do you think of coming. My advice to you would be stay, at home, you little know what hardships, a Soldier has to go through.

Yesterday I went all around our Camp, through the Rebel Forts & Breast Works. You can hardly look any way with out seeing some of their works. They had this place well Fortified.

I have had my Hair cut off, short, again, this is the Third time since I have been in the Service. Our Col, is very strict with the boys, he sends them to the Guard House, for Spitting in the Ranks, at Dress Parade, if their Hair is long & they dont have it cut, & for every little thing.

I saw the other day, a Bugler in the 5th NY Cavalry, only 14 years old, he had his horse to ride, & was a very big man. He would take his Gill of Whisky with the other men, the 5th Cavalry boys, charged on their Sutler, & stole three Barrels of Whiskey, they were all Drunk when they came through here. We are entitled to a Gill of whiskey every day, but our Col, will not let it be dealt out to the men. It is a good thing, though no one will Deny, it is not good for them, when on a long march. I tell you they need something then.

How is the RR Boys dont you see any thing of them, where is Hiram Vanvalkenberg, is he on the Road.  Tell Brent Foster to write & [Ca..] W. When this war is over, I am coming out here to run an Engine, Big Pay here. Tell Charlie Waterman & Charlie Latimer to write, to me, tell them it is my order, if they do not, I will send a Squad of men after them.

Now write me a good long Letter, with all the news

Probably you know my Address.
If not Direct M L Stacey
Co d 111th Regt NYSV
Washington DC
Care of Capt Holmes Co D
or to Co D
of the Bloody 111th

Dont feed your Pony, too much corn, is the prayer of your unworthy speaker, Amen

How much money do you want when I am paid off, for yourself. speak [ ][ ]
MTS

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(editor’s note:  the following undated letter seems to fit here contextually)

Camp [   ]

Well Charles

I will write a short note again.

How do you like the [Idea], of your worthy Brother defending the Colors. Charlie I am glad you are not a Soldier to just get settled down & then have to move again. It is lovely.

I am hoping to get a chance to go up to Bull Run Battle Field. I have long wanted to see that Field. I should not be surprised if there should be another Battle Fought here. It was reported here yesterday that a large Force of Rebels were coming here. I hope if we do, we shall do a little better than our side did before. I do not think our Regt could turn out more than 350 men fit to fight. The Regt has been greatly reduced by Desertion. 25 have Deserted from Co B, Clyde Co. And then a great many are sick.

I wish you would write often, I like to get Just such Letters. we are now close by some Rebel Rifle [Pits] that, we drove them out of. And near here is a Fort that they Built with Wooden Canons in, We are now on top of a very high hill, with a good view of the Woods around. We get our Drinking Water from Bull Run Creek.

I think some of Resigning my position & Coming home

Write soon

Manley

Camp near Centerville
Jan 18th /63

I have just got you letters from home one with Emery Paper, in & one with a sheet full of news. Everything is quiet here, everything [moving] off all right.

we have now got a new Brig Genl AB Hayes. His going to be very strict with us as we can tell by his orders. This PM we had Dress Parade, & a very long list of Orders & a Chaplain of the Bible & a Prayer, from the Chap. I would like to know what in the world, Chap has been doing, mighty likely he has services, & I know nothing of it.

I do not hear anything about the Color Sergt the Col, will make the Appointment in a few days, then I shall know. I write a letter to you about every other day, I think some of the Letters must be lost. Though they are Directed [plain]. I am afraid it is played out, our going to W, things look now like our staying here now.

I do not think you need worry about me, so much, I am getting along first rate, never so healthy in my life, & in no Danger, but from an attack [from] 6000 cavalry, that’s all. no danger of an attack from Infantry here. All we are afraid of is cavalry. the rebs, are Picking off the Cavalry, & do not bother the Infantry Pickets. We have got a splendid Position here, on a hill, our Artillery has mounted their Guns, in two or three forts here. We are now on the Defensive not the Offensive. That makes a difference. I should not, be surprised if we had some Fighting here, we are ready every night, night is the time to look for trouble here, not days. we are ordered to have our Canteens filled with Water every night, so to be ready, for anything. there was a rumor in Camp this PM, that we were ordered near Fredericksburg & were to leave tomorrow. I think there is no truth in it, as we are held for the Defence of W.

I was glad to get that emery Paper though I should prefer emery Cloth, to paper. We hear nothing about Pay, I do not think the Officers have been paid off, & not us. I am afraid we shall not yet get our Pay in two months more. Should not be at all surprised. I am afraid the Capt, will not let me have the Color sergt place Just like him, if he does not, I will go to the Colonel.

I cant write a letter to night so much confusion in the Tent, this is nothing like Sudays at home. I am sick of Sundays in the Army. we can not tell the Difference here. I would give a good deal, to be home to night. It is now just 7,15. you are just going to Church, I think I should be willing to sit with Mother to night. I long to go to Church to night. I think there will be no chance to get a furlough, to come home, no one gets a Furlough, except he is sick, & I cant be that.

I wish we would do something, either Fight or settle this some way, I am sick of this way of doing business. this looks no more like being settled than it did a year ago. By order of our new Brig Genl, Saturdays is set apart for Washing day, no Duty to be done on that day. This will be a little better for us. It is very cold weather with us now, though no snow. I will be glad when winter is over, Soldiering is a great deal better in the Summer.

Capt is thick with the Col, from Present.  I think he will be the next Major, if so then Sodus will reign supreme. Of all things I dread that the most.

there has been a great change in Billy waters, he has since we left Chicago, stolen over $40 of our QM. I do not know whether this is right or not, taking back some that he has robed [sic] us of.

I wish we would go to Washington, so that you could come there.  You could see a great deal there, You then could see something how this war is carried on. In my next letter, I will send a Small Cross, made from a Man’s shin Bone, found in bull Run creek. There is lots of things I would like to send home, but I never can carry them from here.

There is no News to write, now so I can write nothing. Tell Mother not to worry about me, I am trying to do about right. Kiss Maggie for me & tell her I will send her something in my next. Tell her I never forget her & would like to see her very much. She must be a good girl, & I shall be home to see her before long. I will write to Rosa in a Day or two.

So much much love as this Letter will carry, to Mother & all

I remain
Your Son

Manley

Write as often as possible & I will do the Same

Dear Father

I little expected to get a letter from home to night, but did not. Hope to get one tomorrow.

I think we shall be paid off this week certainly. The Paymaster sent yesterday for an Ambulance, to be sent to Fairfax Court House, well Armed, to bring him here. The Battery boys are to be paid off, tomorrow & I think we certainly shall be paid off.

The Color Sergt told me to day, that he wanted me to Carry the Colors until the Colonel made that Appointment. All I am afraid is the Capt will not let me go, if so then I am played out. It is reported here to night from pretty good Authority, that we have Marching Orders for Fairfax Station. The Sutler told us to night, that we had Marching orders, & that he had good’s at Union Mills & that he should not, move then until we got settled. Just the ways, get settled & then move.

One thin is certain, we shall not move any farther front. It will greatly surprise me, if we are in any great Battle while we are held for the Defense of W. If we moved all it will be towards W. We are expected if we are Attacked & can not hold our Position, to retreat towards Washington. I expect we shall be called up some night, on a False Alarm,, to see how quick we can rally. It will not do to play that game many times, for the boys would not turn out.

Jan 21st 8,30 AM.  Talk about your storms we have got one. About 8 PM last night it commenced to rain, & blow, & contrived to grow worse until 4,30 this AM, when our Tents blew over. You can imagine how nice it was to wake up and find our Tent down, it raining very hard, & blowing a huricane [sic]. we got our Tent fixed up the best way we could until morning & then had to sit up & Shiver the time away. Now we have Just got fixed up, it is raining hard, the wind blowing very hard, & the mud in our Tent 2 inches deep. This sort is so Clayey, that Stakes driven in the Ground 2 feet deep, will not hold the Tent, against these winds. This is what you at home would call a miserable day. Nearly Half of the Tents in the Regt blew down last night & this AM.

We shall have no Drilling today, so we shall have a little Rest. That is a great deal, as they work us very hard lately. I asked Lieut Green a few moments ago, if we had marching orders he said we had not, but expected to have, in a few days, to go in Front. This would be a little different from what we expected But, all right we can go anywhere. If we go in Front, all we are allowed is Shelter Tents, two in a Tent & Carry them on our Backs. They are the Rubber Blankets, such as we have got. They are lovely things for Protecting.

Tom Hooker is on Guard to day, I pity him. I must close this letter, as I want to get my Breakfast of Raw Pork & Hard Tack. This tastes good to a hungry Man.

The boys are all feeling good this morning, what is the use of feeling different. We in our Tent have been singing Red White & Blue & other Patriotic Songs. We have had lots of fun with Co H’s boys, Telling them we did not know they had orders to Strike their Tents, Almost all of their Tents blew down.

Barney wants to know why in the world his folks dont write. He wants them to hurry up with their Letters, or else he will not send them any Money, when he is paid off.

Love to all
Manley
Write soon

Camp near Centerville
Jan 22d 1863

Dear Father

I was glad to get a Letter from you this AM, on my Return from Picket.

We have had for two or three days past, a Regular Down South Storm. We was congratulating ourselves yesterday on our not having any Duty to do, when we got the order, at 3 PM, to get ready at 5 PM, to go on Reserve Picket, There is a Co that goes out every night to reinforce the Pickets.

We were the Lucky Co, last night. It had rained all day & was altogether the most Disagreeable night that I have seen since I have been in the Service. We got to our Post about 6 PM, Finding no kind of Shelter. we built a Fire & passed the most disagreeable [time], we have had on Picket, no place to sit down, Mud 4 inches deep, & raining hard. To day I have slept most of the Time, till 2 PM. There can be no Drilling such weather.

We hear nothing of being paid off, Lieut Green thinks we shall be paid off, this week. I am very glad you send me so many Papers. that is all I get to read. Without something to read, we should be bad off. Have you ever sent my name, to [Buckers] Independent. I thought he wanted all the Ministers sons names in the Army.

If I am paid off, you can do what you choose with the $40. Most of it would belong to you anyway. You need not send me the Republican except when my letters are in it. Charlie Cookingham of Lock Berlin is our Orderly. He makes a good Orderly though is quite young.

Jan 23d 6,30 AM. No more news this AM, I never fill out my diary, till the next morning, as we seem to expect something will happen during the night. I do not like to hear from home & that Mother & You are worrying so much about me. There is no use in it. I am sure there is no use in it. I an prospering finely, in every respect. I weigh at the least 145, what more can you ask. I[t] will take a great deal to make me sick. My Cold is well, no cough, & am not troubled with Head aches at all. When I got a letter from home & find Mother is Worrying so much about me, do you think that would make me any more Contented. I am trying to do my best, to take things as they come & make the best of it.

I do not have quite as much Duty to do, as formerly, Capt is more equally Dividing it. Tomorrow our Co & [ ], goes on Picket again, I presume I shall have to go this time. By going out Saturdays, we get rid of the Sunday morning Inspection, which I do not like any to well.

There is hardly an Officer or a Private in the Regt that is not sick of the Service, I do not know the reason why there is such General dissatisfaction, it seems to be among all. We hear nothing more about being paid off I am afraid we may be disapointed [sic], though I hope not. There is so much Confusion in the Tent, that I can not write.

I do not want any more Shirts, I have two over & two under Shirts now. You had ought to have been here when my Papers came, all wanted to borrow one.  After I read them, I never see them again.

When you go to the Village or City, I wish you would get me Some Emery Cloth. That is what I want, more than any thing else. The Government obliges us to keep our Guns just so clean, but furnish us nothing to do it with. This is a thick Foggy morning, everything Damp & Chilly

It is rumored here that our Sutler has been taken Prisoner. Hope it is so. He had made a great deal out of the Boys. Butter 25cts a lb cheese 25cts & everything like that

Hope to hear from you soon

Will write again tomorrow

Manley

Love to Maggie & Mother

——————–

Miss Rosa

I was glad to get a note from you yesterday, & will answer it now. I am glad to hear so good an account from you.

You may expect to see me, in September 1865 when my time is out, not before. The Gov, has played out on letting us go home. How would you like to see one Carrying the colors [to] the Red White & Blue, I suppose you will come to Auburn, & see the Bloody 111th, return all covered with [ ] & Glory. what do you think of my enlisting for 5 years in the Reg Service, after my time is out here.

Have you saved me a piece of Donation Cake when you are sitting down to the Table, dont forget your Brother, who is living on pork, hard Tack & Coffee. when Mother makes Pan Cakes, again, eat three for me & tell me when you did so I can enjoy them.

Squire Charles

How large a piece of the Bridge do you want me to send, I hope you do not want me to send the Bridge,

Why in the world dont you, tell me about Sarah, how is she getting along, I want to know how my sister is. It seems to me that you have a great deal of trouble with that Mule of yours, Dont he answer every purpose.

Charlie it is a good thing you did not enlist, you will think so when you see my Wounds & Scar’s Recd in the Service. It is a big Thing fighting for one’s Country, I am afraid there is but little Patriotism left in me. I do not know, how we could have any. Soldiers are treated like so many dogs by the Government, Why dont they pay us off. My wife & Children & suffering at home & can do nothing. You should go through the Regt at Dark & hear the wishes that I was home & then I could get a good Bed.

Manley

Camp near Centerville
Jan 23d 7 PM

Dear Mother

I read a letter from you to day, with 5cts in Stamps & a fine Tooth Comb. The comb I needed, though I an thankful to say, I have not seen a Louse on me since I have been in the Service & know I have none.

The money I needed also, as when I was on Picket the other night I had the misfortune to burn a hole in the toe of my Boot. Which was no wonder, Considering the [fare] One side of [me] was Thawed & the other was Frozen. Now I can get them fixed up, again. Thanks to you.

You ask me if You buy a Farm if, I will work it. All I have to say is Try it and see. I think after this is over I shall settle down. So if you buy the Farm I will work it. I think I could make more than $[13] a month out of it.

I have not washed my clothes yet, I can get them washed for 6 cents a piece. We have no Conveniences for washing. I have 5 shirts now all I, need. If we move again I shall not carry much.

You ask me how [Dryer] got his discharge he has not got it yet. I think he is playing up. He has not felt well since he found out he could not get the Lieutenancy. There has been a great many reports in Camp to day, One was this AM, that our Col had his choice, to be transfered into Heavy Artillery & be Lieut Col, or to be Col, of this Regt. there is a great deal of talk, of our being turned into Heavy Artillery, Though there may be nothing in it. Dont we hope it is so.

I would not care about having to stay the three years Another that we were to be paid off, Immediately. I am afraid it will not be so. I hear nothing about the Color sergt, I shall know in a few days.

Barney, Aleck, Al Hunt, have been out to day, with a Man that wanted to get his Brother, who was killed in the Last Bull Run Battle. There was 12 men went out under a Flag of Truce, with Guns. The most foolish thing I have ever heard of, going under a Flag of Truce, with Arms. the boys saw hundreds of graves. I would give $10 to go there, it is outside of our Lines. I shall go there if such a thing is possible, then I shall have some Trophies.

I have got to go on Picket tomorrow. There is a talk of Calling us up on a False alarm, to see how quick we can turn out. So I must go prepare. I must close, so as to make up my Bed, almost Taps

Jan 24th 7 AM. for some reason or other we was not called up last night, though a better night could not have been found. We have Variable weather here, one day it is cold & windy, the next warm & pleasant. Did you mean if you settled down, to settle on my 160 acres of Government Land, on a Farm in NY. I should want to know first.

Give my Love to Maggie & ask her if she will work for me, if work on a Farm, I should want her to live with me. I told Tom, you sent him your best Expects [sic]. Tom is getting very Fat & stout, Just like me.

Hoping to hear from you soon

Love to all

Manley

The House wife is Just what I wanted to carry my Paper in
Much Obliged for it