Manley Stacey Civil War Letters

Camp Hayes
Feb 16th 1863 7 PM

Dear Father,

I recieved a Letter from you to day, & 4 Papers. I was glad to hear from you, as I had not heard from you in several days.

I have been quite sick, since last night, have had Chills & Fever, most of the time. I was excused by the doctor this AM, & have been laying in my Tent all day.  I am feeling a little better this PM, although not well enough to Brag of. I was afraid I was going to have an attack of Intermittent Fever. There are a great many cases of it in the Regt. Al Hunt has been sick with it since several days past, the Doctor thinks he can break it up.

Tomorrow the Right wing of the Regt, goes on Picket, as we are in the Right wing, or would be our turn to go. I shall not go unless I am better. There is a rumor in Camp, that Non Comissioned Officers can get Commissions in these Negro Regts just forming, our Sergt Major, & several Sergts in the Regt intend to apply. If there is anything (in) it, I shall apply.

I reserved 4 Stamps & a 25cts Postage Currency, I have not read a Paper from you in several days, like to day. I think I have got all the Papers, that [Supp..] directed, I have recd three that he Directed. I read the Harpers Weekly, & also the Sodus Repository. I got the Tribune with Fred Douglas’es Speech in. The Mail comes in every day here, via Alexandria. Moving to Warrenton is played out, we hear no more about it.

Co McDougal is Comandant of this Post now, Col D Utassi is under arrest, 27 charges preferred against him. I hope it is so, no one likes him.

8 AM 17th. I am felling much better this morning, & shall get along all right now. Doctor told me he thought I should have the Fever & Ague. it is snowing hard here this AM, & has been nearly all night, the Co has to go on Picket, I do not know how it is, but it generally Storms when we have Picket Duty to do. Hoping to hear from you again soon. I will write tomorrow

Love to all

Manley

Camp Hayes
do you know what Company
I belong too, if not, it is
L ro Z. Feb 18th

Dear Father

Prehaps [sic] you may think this is a singular Heading to a Letter, but it struck me, so I wrote it. I received you letter of 13th, this PM & will reply immediately, I found enclosed 25 cts & 10 stamps, for which am much obliged.

I am feeling a great deal better to day, & should have done Duty, had it not been so Stormy. In the morning it Drizzled & this afternoon it Rains very hard, & is a most uncomfortable kind of Day. We have just got some wood to Burn, been with out most of the Day. Not very pleasant being without wood this Weather. We are having now regular Winter weather, Snowing one day & raining the next, so of course we have no Drilling, & were it not for the Picket & Guard Duty, we could get along well enough.

I suppose before this reaches you, you will have seen Capt Holmes, & had a talk with him. If he has any Fault to find with me ther reason he did not Promote me, remember, & not believe it all. There is Spyes [sic] in this Co, waiting to report every thing, & when so reported, it is alwasy magnified 10 Fold.

Sodus is just out of Lyons & of any one from there, so you see before this last Promotion came off, it was to their intrest [sic], to Ellect [sic] their man. Now there is not a Man that came from Lyons, but what knows I was entitled to the Place. I wish you would have a talk with Dreyer, he is better posted in regard to the Company than even the Capt. He will tell you how the Matter was. the Capt thinks I have written home all sorts of Stories about him, this I know some one has written home about him & have given me the Credit for it. If I had chosen to report every thing I have seen out of the way in Capt Holmes, I should have had my hands full. I have seen Capt Holmes so Drunk, that he hardly knew what, he was doing, now I never have reported any of this. Nor did I intend too. All I have to say is place some degree of allowance, in what you hear.

I meant no disrespect to Mother, when I said had not heard from you for several days, far from it, I love to get letters from her, but I missed your good long Letters. I hope Mother will not take offence & not write any more. I shall be glad to get the Collars & Gloves, as I like to look well on Inspection, though I do not like to have you keep paying so much Express Charges. The Emery Cloth I shall be glad to get. I do not know but you will think I am asking a great deal, sending home for so many things, & only sending $15 home, which will not near pay what you have sent me, but then I hope to make it square some day.

I know of no reason why they did not pay us up, except it be short of money, I am sure we should have prefered 4 months pay. We have given up all idea of Heavy Artillery now, that is played out with us.

You asked me if I reported the Spy on my Picket Post No 15, I did not as I found but he had been reported once. This reminds me, Yesterday two men came to our Camp, & wanted the Officer of the Day (Capt Coe of Clyde) to pass them in & let them buy some of the Surplus Coffee of the Co’s, as they always have some on hand, & he would not do it, as he did not like their looks. They then openly Bragged of being Seceshionists, & said they had a pass & had been all through Washington, they were allowed to go on their way. If you mention this, tell no names. I have sent the diary home by mail, yesterday, as soon as you get it, let me know, for I would hate to loose [sic] it.

I have nothing now to send Home, If I get any thing, I will try & send it as you Directed. I suppose, you have got Mrs Williams Card by this time, so you would know when to write. I presume you will see Mrs Brown, as I hear she has returned Home. I presume I have written some awful letters, short & disconnected, but can do no better in the Army. I shall have to close for the night more Anon. To night I can lay & hear the rain patter on the Tent, & if I do not keep my [mouth] closed, prehaps [sic] catch some in my mouth.

Feb 19th 1863

It has rained hard all night, & is a lovely old night. the Cavalry Scouts, out side of our Pickets are Drawn off, so our Pickets have to keep a great deal better look out, there is a great deal more responsibility on the men. No more news about moving, though I should not be surprised if we had to at any time. I do not what makes you think we shall move, we will have to be put in another, Division. we are now in the 22nd Army corps, for the Defence of Washington, How could we Defend Washington by going to Warrenton, I would like to know. I would like to leave here now, we have been here long enough now, we begin to feel uneasy if we stay more than 2 weeks in a place.

We have got fixed up more comfortable now than we have before, here at any time. We have made a Requisition on the Sutler for nice [Ha…] & I bought a lb of Fresh Pork & Fried it, I tell you it tasted good. Only 18cts a lb. Blagona [sic] Sausage under 5 cts, 5cts for 33 small boxes of matches, 5 cts for 2 small papers of Pepper. So you can see just how reasonable things are.

Did I ever Describe this So East to north West. There was formerly 2 churches, one Stone, the other wood, both used now a Barns. There was also 3 Hotels, or what they called Hotels. We can see the remains of a Stream Grist Mill

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

Camp Hayes

Feb 20th 7 PM

Dear Mother

I received yours of Monday, this PM, after Batallion Drill & was glad to hear from you again.

You ask me about how I came to owe so much money, it is this way, I bought the Revolver, for $4,00, & Two Shirts of one of the Boys, at $2,00 a Piece, that [threw] me a little behind. This is Square now, & I shall take good care, never to owe any more Money, while in the Army. the reason why I sent $15,00 home, I thought Father would need it all, If I had not thought he would have needed it, I would have kept it more. Capt Seeley of Co A, came from Washington yesterday, & he says we shall be paid off again the first of next month, If so then I shall hope to do better.

Feb 21st 8AM

This is our Holiday, & washing day, you may be sure we are not sorry. It takes a whole day to get ready for Inspection, We have to black our Boots, clean up the Buttons on our Coat, Black our Cartridges Boxes, & Belt, & altogether have a great deal to do. I have given up writing once this morning, as I could think of no News, I think I will send this Note, by Mr Baker, who returns with the remains of his Son. Enclosed I send 2 Cartridges for Charlie. I have nothing to send Home, if I had would send it. I will write again as soon as there is any news.

Love to all

Manley

Miss Rosa

I think you are shaming Charlie by writing such good Letters, he will have to hurry up Matters, of I will disown him. I have not found the Venus yet, & am afraid I shall have to wait until I get to Beaufort or farther South. It would not look well to send a Nig from here.  Well I must close, lots of work to do today. Kiss Maggie for me & tell her Manley sent his Love.

Manley

Feb 21st 6,30 PM

I did not send any thing Home this AM, by Mr Baker, for the very good reason, he was not going to Lyons, but intended stopping at Newark. There is a Dearth of News just now in Camp, nothing going on. The officers, now in Camp, nothing going on.

The Officers, now have, Caps all alike, with Gold Brown on they are very Stylish. If I am Promoted to Sergt, I shall have to get me a nice Military Cap, as the one I now have is getting rather Shabby, it having seen over 6 months active Service. Just to think, the 6th of next month, we will have been in Service 7 months, 2 years & 5 months more. These will be one joyful day for Co D, & that is when we are mustered out of the Service. All agree to that.

Tomorrow is Inspection, today we have been preparing for it, & fixing up the Tent, & now we are all sitting around the Candle, writing Home.

Monday is Picket duty again, I rather like that, it is better than staying in Camp. Tomorrow, the 22d, is Washington’s Birthday, 22 Guns are to be Fired from the Battery, in Honor of it.

Tonight we have all been wondering what we were doing one year ago tonight, I have come to the Conclusion, that I was taking a Trip down the Central, & a little dreaming of even being here. We have all wondered how we would like to go in Lyons, I thought I would like to go in church, when Father was preaching & take a Seat with You, do you think he would stop, or wouldnt he mind so much. any rate I would like to try him. I should be a little afraid of you. Whenever I come home, If I ever come, it will be unexpected, I would like to take you by Surprise, & step in just in time for supper, if It would not be too much trouble.

The Col undertook to compel us, not to buy any thing from any other Sutler, but our own. He would not let the Boys go out, except for water & then only at one place. that would not work however, the Boys wanted Water too often. there are 4 or 5 other sutlers on the Place, & the boys will not Patronize him.

We hear nothing more about moving, guess it is Played out, we dont hope so however, we are anxious to move some where or other, dont care much where

Hoping to hear from You soon

Manley

Charles Henry Augustus Stacey

Well Charlis I must write a few lines to you I suppose, though I have not heard from you in some time. what in the world is the Matter with you, why don’t you write me a good long Sesible letter. Now just try it, all the news. I am still as lazy as ever, & hope this letter will find you in the same situation.

Charlie did I ever describe our Child of the Regt. He belongs to Co F, is only 6 feet 7 inches high, & is the most over grown specimen of humanity I ever saw. The boys call him Dutch.

I think our Sutler will close up Business before long, the Boys are Drawing every thing away from him. Since he has been here the boys have taken away from him, 2 cheeses, 300 Plugs of Tobacco, 3 Boxes of Cakes & lots of other things, So you see his profits are reduced a Little.

We have great times nights, after Taps, singing, you can hear it all over the Regt. One Song is, sung a great deal here the Battle Prayer of freedom. Have you got that Catalogue of Songs yet, if so send it to me, if not send me one of the Songs.

We have got 4 Drummers now in the Regt, the youngest about your size, & is the Pet, of, them all. The Drummers life here is not so easy here, two of them have to go on Picket every time, so to Beat the Rally in Case of trouble. You may congratulate yourself on being out of this, you are better off at Home.

Well I must close Tattoo
Good night
Charlie

M T Stacey

Feb 22, 7,30 AM

Charlie when I wrote you last night there was no snow on the Ground, now there is 8 inches on a Level & snowing fast. Thank God I am not on duty today.

Al & I have just got our Breakfast, while the others are laying sleeping. This is a lovely day.

On Picket, 9 PM
Manassas Gap RR
Bridge Post No 18
Feb 23d 1863

Dear Father

Well here I am on Picket again, at Post No 18, on a Signal Post, used more, to give Signals than any thing else. Well we are keeping a good look out, as the Capt in Command, says he intends trying us, to night, & If I am not mistaken, we shall be ready for him. It is a Fact that the Guards on Picket, look out more, for our Officers than they do even, for the Enemy. the Boys all say look out for the Grand Rounds.

For fear that you may not know, what Grand Rounds is, I will explain it. the Grand Rounds is the Officer of the Out Posts, & it is his Duty, to go around & see that all are doing their Duty, once in the Day time, & once after midnight. So you see it keeps the Boys on the look out for them. The Challenge for Guard Rounds, is, Halt. Who Comes. There. And, Guard Rounds, the Guards, turn out the Guard, then Dismount Sergeant of the Guard Rounds, advance & give the Countersign, if the Countersign is right then Countersign is correct, Advance Rounds. Then the Corporal, is expected to have his men in Line, report the No of his Post, No of men & if anything has been seen out of the way to report it. the guard Rounds, was never smart enough to catch me yet.

We will not have as many poor Corporals in a Short time, as all are to be examined & the ignorant ones thrown out.

This is a pretty rough looking letter, but I am writing it on my diary, & by a poor fire. We are lucky here, in being allowed to have Fires on Picket, if it were not for that, we should suffer.

Today we had a lovely walk out here. the Snow is about 6 inches Deep on the Level, & in some places here pretty Badly Drifted. We had to break, the Roads, that made it worse. We are now, the very outside Picket, as the Cavalry Pickets, have been taken up, so that alone would make us, watchful. Now what in the world would I do, with 4 men, against any Force, with the Reserves a half a mile from me. You can just bet any thing, I shall not Fire into a Force of men, if I see I can not hold the Place. I dont risk my life that way.

As to our being off by the Reb’s, by Shooting, I am not in the least afraid of that, that is played out. I have got on my Post Wheeler, a Brother, to Oscar Reynolds Wife & a first rate Fellow he is too & knows his Business.

Did I ever tell you how Co’s were located in a Regt if not I will. Co A F D & C is the Right Wing & Co H E, K, G B, the Left. so you can always tell what Wing a Co, is in.

Tell mother to send me the Recipe for making Fried Cakes the easiest way. I want to make. the way, they make Hoe Cake here, is mix Indian Meat & Water, with a little Salt, & Bake on the Stove Griddles.

Love to all

Manley

(note in the margin at top)
Do you have to pay postage on Letters that I send without Stamps

Camp Hayes
Feb 24th 1863
6,30 PM

Dear Father

I received a letter from you, this AM on my return from Picket, also one from Mother & you tonight. You need not be alarmed about our going to Beaufort SC, that is played out, we hear nothing more about it, so think it is played out. I am glad to hear you are better, was afraid you was going to be sick.  I think you used Mrs McCumber just about right, for if her son is like the rest, they are a miserable Set.

I have got about a Bunch of envelopes, & about 20 Sheets of Paper. But if you get a good chance, you can send me some. You ask me the Price of Paper, it is, 6 Sheets for 7 cts, 4 Envelopes for 5 cts, or 25 cts a Bunch. Emery Paper is 5 cts a Sheet, & everything in the same proportion.

I shall most certainly go on the NYC RR. I think I shall go to Pittsburg Pa. Things look now like our staying here, & doing this miserable Picket Duty. I am quite well now, & feeling all right again. I was afraid I was going to have the Fever & Ague.

I need the Specimen of Emery Cloth, it is too coarse, it scratches up the Guns. If you can get some finer I would like it. I shall be glad to get the Havelock, as they are a nice thing in a storm.

Well we are having great times here now. To night we all have orders to have 40 Rounds of Cartirdges, & be all ready, for a Fight. It dont take much to set our Officers up. They are expecting Stuarts Cavalry. The report has just come, that Jackson is this side of the Rhapanock (Rappahannock?), & is coming this way. Well we have been Fooled too much, to be frightened at this report. It is reported that Green is Capt, & that Capt Holmes, is Major. We do not know whether it is true or not. We hope not, for God’s Sake.

On Saturday next we are to be mustered & Inspected. Our Capt on Picket told us we were going to be paid off, next week. I sincerely hope it will be so. Then if they pay us the 4 months wages, I can send home $40,00. We will have 4 months pay coming, the 6th of next month. The Officers are Scared to death, say they saw Signals last night. All nonsense.

Feb 25 6,30 AM. Well here it is morning again, & no Cavalry have visited us. Everything is great this morning. As good luck would have it, I have got to go on Camp Guard this morning. I have never been so tired in a long time as I was last night.

If you ever send a Trunk full of things, pack it yourself & let no one know it. that seems to be the Style in Lyons.

If Green is Capt, I shall try my best to get out of the Company. My taking Dryers place would then be played out. I shall most certainly go in the Color Guard. If Green is Capt, then we will need another 2nd Lieut & That will give Sodus another chance. you can not imagine what a Injustice there is against everything from Sodus.

I will tell you how thoughtful McDougal is. The morning we went on Picket, he rode in front of the Pickets, all along, with a pr (pair) of Mittins in his hand, to see if any one, was with out. He found a man & gave them to him.

I hope mother will not send a Trunk, if you send anything send a small box, & let no one know it. They all are willing to send with you, but want no one to send with them

With love to all
I remain
Manley T Stacey

——————–

Charles

I shall be very glad to get a knife from you as you say I have none. You can tell Mother that I do not smoke, that is played out with me. I gave that up at the Ferry & seldom smoke, unless it is a good Cigar. You can send me a Cigar if you choose. Well Charlie we are having rough times here now, come off Picket, one noon & go on Guard the next morning. It is rather rough. The Officers were all scared to Death last night, saw Signal Lights. I wish the Rebs would carry off about half of our 6 Officers. Well I have no more time to write.

Manley

Miss Rosa

I was glad to receive so good long a Letter from you & will now try & answer it. I am very sorry to hear you are sick, hope you will soon recover. Not come across your Venus yet, hope to before long. Rosa I suppose you will learn to [ ] & knit your Brother a pair of Stockings. If you will I will pay you for them. the Stockings we get of the Gov are so poor they only last once wearing.

I should like to be home & Doctor you up. Give my love to Maggie, tell her Manley thinks of her every day & wants to [hug] her, very much. Tell her to be a good girl, that I shall be home to see her some of these days.

Manley

(written in the top margin)
It is reported that we have got [1500] Cavalry here

Camp Hayes Centerville Va
Feb 26th 1863
6,30 PM

Dear Father

Well we have had no fighting yet, though we are hourly expecting a little Brush. It was reported this morning that there was 13 Regts, of Infantry, but a few miles from here. 40 of our Cavalry were taken Prisoners, last night. We do not know whether there is any thing more than Gurillas, probably there is. To day about 7 Regts came in from Washington. They were all Cavalry. To night they are going out on a Scout, then we shall know, whether there is any thing up, or not. Tonight, all the guards are Doubled & Strengthened, all seem to think we shall see some fighting.

Well if they do not come in the night, we shall not care as much, but if they come on to us in the night, we shall have some fun. We are so Situated that, we can be very easily cut off, from all Reinforcments. The Rebs can come right around our Pickets & rush right in on us, if that is done then we must look out. If they make a Raid here, I think they will come, between us & Union Mills, & Fairfax Court House, so as to cut us off, Then we shall have to Fight, as there will be no chance for Falling Back. From present appearances, you need not be surprised to hear the 111th Regt, are taken Prisoners again. We can not hold this place, against a Large force, there is only 3 Regts of Infantry & 12, 6 [P…s], of Light Artillery here, If they make a Dash here, they will most likely be backed by Artillery & Infantry. Well Time will Show. They are posted in Regard to this Post, we have passed men, out & in our Lines, all the Time. And then we have Secesh any quantity of them, living around here.

There is but little news in Camp, except we are to be mustered Saturday, & paid off, next week, if the Rebs do not disturb us. Last night the right & Left wings had a Battle, with Snow Balls. the Lieut Col Comanded the Left, & the Col the Right. After some pretty Sharp Shooting, the Left succeeded in, out Flanking us, & soon drove us from our position. Had our men kept together there would have been no trouble to Holding our Ground, but they scattered too much. The Officers of both wings, were out cheering the Boys on. The Col says he shall have this, out yet. We are to be Drawn up in Line of Battle, in some field where Snow is plenty, & the Col says he will Shave the Head of the first men that runs. We had the best time last night that we have had in a long time. When this comes off, we shall have, a good time. It would have been today, but it rained too hard.

They have changed out Time Table a little. Now Revilee, is at 5,30 AM. I have Call at 545, Sick Call at 6 AM, Breakfast at 6,30, guard Mounting at 8 AM, Co Drill from 9 to 11AM. Dinner at 12,30, Battallion Drill from 2 to 430, Dress Parade at 5 PM Tattoo at 8 AM [sic], Taps at 8,30. This gives us a 1/2 hour longer at night, which we are glad to get, but we do not fancy, getting up at 5,30 AM. Sunday we go on Picket again.

Tell Charlie I have got a nice Song for him, I will send it in my next.

One of out Lieuts of Co G, I believe, was out on Picket last week, & at night, he took 2 men & went around to the Posts, to see, if the men were doing their Duty. He came up to Post, & when challenged, who comes There, answered a Rebel, he then marched up to the man, & had the 2 men with him Aim at the man on the Post & told him to Surrender, or he would Blow his Brains out. This so frightened the man, that he gave up his Gun. I would like to have, that Lient, answer me so, when challenged, I would shoot him, If I was shot the next minute. They have got the man in the Guard House now, & are going to Court Martial him. I made a mistake in the Time Table, that is to be it, after the first of April.

Feb 27th 8 AM. Well we have had no Fighting yet. A squad of Cavalry went out last night, to Build bridges over at Bull Run Creek, so to take our Artillery over. Is is reported, that the Cavalry & Artillery are to advance, if so we shall go to support them. Well Time will show, what is to be done.

Today we shall be busy all day preparing for the Inspection, tomorrow, by Genl Hayes. I am rather anxious to get the Revolver, it will be nice thing, on Picket, or in a Hand to Hand fight, if we ever are in one.

well I must close
Love to all

Manley

I will write every day, till this war is over

M T Stacey

Camp Hayes
Feb 28th 1863

Dear Father

I received a letter from you yesterday, & will try & write a Short not[e] this AM.

I am well & all right now, feeling all right now. We have had no Fighting yet, nor does it look any more like having one now, than it ever did before. Yesterday Green came through the Co, & told the Boys, that their Guns apart, to put them together as soon as possible, that our Col had gone out on a Scout, with the Cavalry & there was no telling, how soon we might be called on. This was just about as much sense as half the orders Green gives. Just because the Col, had gone with the Cavalry, why we must have a fight. night before last, our Scouts drove in Rebel Pickets were driven in, they were just outside of the Bull Run Creek.

We are to be inspected & mustered, at 2 1/2 PM by Col McDougal, not Brig Genl Hayes. I never told Capt Holmes, that I had not earned the Promotion, he must think I am a fool, I would like to know, what Corporal in Co D, has done [more] than I have. I told him I did not know but I had rather a little too Free, with the Boys, but the trouble was, I put too much confidence in the Boys, & some one reported what I said. I deny my being the cause, of the trouble between Lyons and Sodus. It commenced at Harpers ferry, before I even knew the Company. It is a Lie, if he says, Green & Granger had nothing to do, with Cathers Promotion. If any other Sergt, but Catlin had, came to the Tent, & taken off his Side Arms, he would have been Reduced. When you see Dreyer you will find out a little more how things are.

the QM, will bring up any Express Box, sent here, he Brought up 3 Wagon Loads of Boxes for the Regt, yesterday. There would be no trouble about that, nor about my receiving the Box.  I hope if you send one, you will let no one know it. It will come to Alexandria, & from there to Union Mills by RR. Tom Hooker is all right, & well. Chap Brown received that Paper from you, because he showed me the Letter.

I have just heard that the Rebels have their Pickets posted opposite our Pickets & talk to one another.

I must close this

Love to all

M T Stacey

Camp Hayes
March 2nd 1863

Dear Father

Now I have got some News to write, so I will commence where I left off, on Saturday. On Sunday afternoon, we had Review & Inspection by Col McDougal. Saturday night I felt very tired, but could sleep but little. At midnight I heard the signal Gun at Union Mills, & knew immediately that it was an alarm. By the time our Long Roll was beat, I was in Line, No 2. We had orders to sleep with our clothes on, & the Commissioned Officers had orders to keep awake all night. Genl Tyler Telegraphed to Col McDougal, to keep a good look out, that the Pickets were Fighting at Union Mills.

The Rebs opened a Battery on us at the Mills, but we soon silenced that. we turned out in the Rain & marched East of our Camp & Formed in Line of Battle, & expected every minute to see the Rebs come on to us. We all expected a Fight, but was Disappointed. About 2 AM, we marched back to Camp & to our Quarters, with orders to be ready to turn out, at a moments notice. the Regt never Turned out, better, than that night. They got out in less than 3 minutes.

Yesterday we went on Picket, at Post No 13, in some Rebel Barracks, used by the Rebs last winter, when they had possession of this place. It was a very good Position the Banks of cub Run, a Stream that Runs, into Bull Run. Yesterday we could see the Gray Backs, their Army Wagons Rebel Cavalry, also their Signals with a Red flag. There was a House about 3/4 of a mile, from us, that had been seen waving a red flag. a Woman, had been seen, to come to the Door, & wave the Red flag, towards the Rebs. the officer of the Day, went over to this House, when we reported it to Him. He asked the man what he was doing with a Red Flag, said the Children, played with it. Very likely story. He gave us orders if we saw the Flag again, to take 6 men & go & search the House & take him to Camp.

Last night, we could see Red & White Signal Lights, & could hear the Army Wagons moving. There is no Doubt but that there is a strong force of Rebs in Front of us, & that we shall have a fight before long. Genl Tyler, said all he asked of us, was to hold the place 2 hours, & he would get 50,000 men here. You can bet, we shall do this, if Col McDougal, leads us. Commissioned Officers, have orders not to sleep, nights, but to be up & ready.

Tell Charlie that I have got a Secesh Cap, the I shall send home, if I can get a chance. Today I got a Soldiers Record, which I shall send home. I do not think you will think I wasted a $1,00 on it. when it is Framed it will look very nice, especially in years to come. I got a Letter & two papers from you this morning, on my return from Picket. I got the Receipt, for the Barrel, all right. I shall be very glad to get the things & hope we shall not have to surrender & lose it. I do not know when I shall get it as a Commissioned Officer, has to sign a Receipt for the Boxes. I shall most likely get it this week. As quick as I get the Barrel, I will write.

I shall spend no more money, for Revolvers or anything else, I have quit that. There is one thing I have forgotten, to send for, that is some small [Figgurenes] like this. Letter D & NY, also [Figgurene] 111. We have just got the orders to pack Knapsacks, & clean up our Guns, to be ready to retreat at a moments notice. Something is up, that certain.

6,30 PM. The Col has just come out in a Scout with 40 men. If I had not been up for 2 nights past, I should have gone. I had a talk with Green to night, & he wants me to write truthful account of things here now, for the Benefit of the Boys Friends at Home. Now I have nothing to do this, but you may if you choose copy what you see fit, & hand it to Frisby.

Green says, there is a force of Rebels in Front of us, & that our Cavalry have a little Skirmishing with them, once in a while but what makes me think there is no particular danger is the 5th NY Cavalry, passes thru here, to night, en route for Fairfax Court House. now if there was any particular Danger, they would be kept here. The Fact is, there is a Force ahead of us, some of which have been Seen. If we are attacked here it will be to get our Supplies not to get possession of this place. This position can be of no possible use to them, therefore, we think Supplies is all they want.

There will be so many Stories written home by the Boys, that no one can believe them all. One thing is sertain, we are not afraid of being cut off, every thing that can be done, by officers & men to prevent a Surprise, is being done. One thing we can rely on, anything that can be done for our benefit, & to hold the place, will be done. We have orders to night to have our Knapsacks packed, & Haversacks with 24 Hours Rations in, also Canteens filled with Water. I will write you every day, or as often as possible till this Row is over, as I know you will be anxious to hear.

It will be a pity if we have to make an advance, & I have to wait a month for the barrel.

Just as I am writing, this we heard a Gun go off, as a Gun fired off now, is a Signal, so it makes us very watchful. It turned out to be a man Shot in the 125th, for Runing [sic] the Guard, or going through the Lines. I have just learned that one man was Shot, & another was wounded. So much for Disobeying Orders.

Do you think I would be concerned in any of the Drawing Scrapes, from the Sutler & others. As long as I have been in the Service, I can say I never have been Guilty of Drawing the least thing. You asked me who Drew the Candles, from the Capt’s Tent, Al Hunt, was the Man, that did it, I knew he did it, & had him reported though did not do it my self. Now you say, you do not think I have done my Duty, In not reporting the Boys, when in a Scrape. Now which is the worse to have the Blame rest on your Shoulders, or to get the Ill will of the whole Co, by reporting them. I tell you a man must consult his own interests, a little here. I got the Ill will of 2 men once by reporting them, while on guard though I was compelled to do it. Then I made up my mind to turn my head, when anything was going on wrong, rather than, report anything.

I have the Credit of being the most watchful while on Guard on Picket & have the best Instructed Reliefs. The Lyons boys all want to fall out with me, on a Picket Post.

The Boys have just returned from the Scout, & report, that there is a large Force, to the north East of us. Probably they intend making a Raid on us. The Battery Boys took a Rebel Baggage Wagon to day.

the reason why I did not send any thing by Mr Baker, was he was going to Newark, instead of Lyons. I should like nothing better than to be one of the Color Sergts, but I am afraid the Capt will not consent. If I can work so as to get the place, before the Capt returns, I shall do it. If we have a fight I shall fall out as Color guard. I would rather trust myself there then in the Co, under Green.

Capt Holmes being Major is played out. Capt Lusk of Newark, is major the appointment was read on Dress Parade to night & Well, I can’t think of any thing more to write to night, so will keep the Letter open till morning, so if we have a fight, I can write about it. I have got my Knapsack to pack yet to night, so I shall not be able to write to the Children. You can give them my love.

Mar 3d 8 AM. Nothing occured during the night,, except a very heavy rain. Probably that made a difference. I do not know why, but we seem to expect a Fight, more at Night than any other time.

I wish you would send me a Watch Key in a Letter, as I have lost mine I send the Record with this, & hope you will be pleased with it. I shall have to get a Cheap Frame, to put it in.

Now you can see a specimen of Sodus work, Charles Pulver, was Discharged before these were printed, & yet he is put down as 4th Corporal. His name has not been called on the Roll, for 3 months past. Well I know of no more news to write

Love to all

Manley

Camp Hayes
March 4th 1863
6 PM

Dear Father

I received your kind note of the 28th, this PM, & will answer.

Well we have had no Fighting yet, & I do not think it looks any more like it now than it did a week ago. there are Rebels around us, I know as we keep taking Prisoners, one or two at a time every night. I do not think there is a large Force, nearer than Warrenton, that is 22 miles from here. Yesterday & today, we have seen or heard nothing new. they have had the best chance in the world, to come in here for the past week, if they wished too. We send out Reserves, every night, all around us, to prevent surprise, so I am no more afraid of their riding right on us, unawares.

Today had been a very cold & windy, the most unpleasant day in a long time. This morning at Co Drill, we Drilled in Skirmishing. I wish you could see a Good Skirmish Drill, it is the most exciting Drill of all, & when well done, looks well. The object of Skirmishes is to prevent surprises, & when a battle is expected, they are always through out. the Drill is mostly, in Firing, then laying on the Back to Load, then Springing to the Feet, Firing &c. Co A & B, is the Co’s that generaly [sic] do the Skirmishing, but all Co’s are Drilled in it.

This PM, we had Review given too Major Knapp, of the 9th Artillery then Drilled in Firings, with blank Cartridges. It was awful cold, I thought at one time I had Frozen my Fingers. I believe the Col would Drill us in 6 feet of Snow. The Col Lieut Col, & Major Knapp, was all [Fight], so they put us through. Tomorrow I expect to go on Guard, & saturday on Picket.

I do not think what the Col told some of the Boys will come true. He said we should either whip or get Whipped like H-ll. We see no right for it now.

I have not need the Barrel yet, nor do I know when I shall. I have been waiting, to see whether, we are [driven] from this place or not. I should hate to get the Things here & lose them. I shall get the things just as soon, as the QM, brings the Express Boxes again, probably some time this week. I could get a pass for Alexandria & get it myself but I do not want to go to that expense. I was a little Disapointed in not getting some money tonight, but suppose you did not get my letter in which I asked for $5,00, until Pay Day.

We hear nothing this week about being Paid off, though I think we shall get it soon.

Philip Clouse returned to the Co, last night. He looks a great deal better than I expected he would. he will not be marked at all.

I hope you will receive the Record all right. I suppose you will not find anything interesting in my Diary, as I have written home most of it.

I wrote you the other day, about a man being Shot in the 125th, for Running the guard. I was mistaken. One of the guards was handling his Gun very Carelessly, & aimed it toward the Sergt, thinking it was not Loaded. The Gun went off, Shooting him through the Head. This afternoon was his Funeral, the whole Right wing of the Regt, following him to his resting place. One thing I liked to see, the Col & Major, in the Procession.

I spoke to the Color Sergt, to day, about my being in the Color guard, & told him if there was a Battle he might depend on me for his right hand man. He said he wanted me, with him there, as he knew me. I think when the Col, makes the Detail, I shall be all right.

I would like to have you send the Revolver, for poor as it is, It [will] afford me some protection, especially on Picket. the I can sell it if I want but for more than I gave for it. It is not Emery Cloth that I can buy, for 5cts a Sheet, But emery Papers, & very poor at that.

I never shall ask a favor of Capt Holmes, never, nor will I ask for a Promotion. If he says anything to me, then I shall, not with out. I am too much of a Stacey for that.

I received the Envelopes in the Paper. If you come here to see us, if you let me know I will come to Alexandria to meet you, & show you around.

there is no Denying that I have felt a little timid about going into the First Battle, who would not, seeing so many Guns pointed towards you; But for the past few days I have got over that, & have rather wished for a Fight. there is one Great trouble with this Regt, They Lost Their First Battle, that makes a great difference; had we won the first Battle, we could then go into another with a great deal more courage.

I agree with you in regard to L Dreyer’s making the trouble between Lyons & Sodus, in the Co he is the man.

I have got quite a cold again, my Lungs feels quite sore. I shall soon get over that, however. If there is anything you would like to know, any Questions to ask, I wish you would tell me. I try to write about everything, but think I forget some things

[2]5th. Nothing occurred during the night. Hope to hear from you soon

Love to all

Manley T Stacey

Camp Hayes
March 7th 1863
7AM

Dear Charles

Well Sonnie I have got to go on Picket again this morning, & it rains as usual. I did not want to wait till Monday, before I wrote, so thought I would write a Short note this AM.

We are still in the Land of the Living. On Picket Post no 13, 3 Division

9PM. Well Charlie, I found out I had not news enough, to write a Respectable Letter, so concluded, to wait. As usual when we go on Picket, it commenced raining, & even now, I can hear the gentle Patter on the Roof. (Post Byron). I am again on the 3 Section, the same post where I was on Sunday Last. Tonight it is darker than Pitch, & just one of the nights for a Rebel Raid, or if they want some Guns, to take us Prisoners. But let them come, we are ready.

Charlie, I must beg your Pardon, for not sending you more money, when we was last paid off, but realy [sic] Charlie you must excuse me holding such a Position as I do in the Army you will see, I must necessarily, have a great many expenses. There is some talk of Paying us off, up to the 1st of March. Lieut Green told me today, that we should be paid off, in a few days, & up to the 1st of March. If we are then I shall have $52,00 coming that looks large for a Soldier Boy. when that happens Charles, then I can do better. but before that happens, I want a few more letters from you. why can’t you sit down & write me a long Letter. Now if you never see your Honored Brother 4th Corporal of Co D, you will be sorry you have not written oftener.

Charlie you must excuse this letter, I have got a Big Dutchman Ritter from Lyons (perhaps you know him,) is singing Dutch Songs, so you can imagine how well I can write. Every thing is quiet along the Lines so far tonight.

This morning, after we had been posted, about half an hour, a Big thick set Negro Woman, came to our Post, I will relate her Story. She told the Lieut, that a man had come to her house, & had Beaten, her & Showed us the scars, & Bruises. She wanted the Lieut to go over to her house & order him out. she said it was only, Half a mile just over this (yese) here hill. So the Lieut took 4 men & myself, & we started towards her house. When we got on a hill a little way from our Post, we could see the house full 2 miles from our Post, outside our Lines. Then she said just please [st..] over Lieut it to only 2 miles from here. Here the Lieut hesitated he thought & so did I, that it was a decoy, to get us outside the Lines, but for all that we determined to see what was up, so off we trudged through the mud 6 inches deep.

when we got to the House we asked the Man what was up, then he commenced, his Story was, he was working outside the House, & the Woman (which proved to be his mother in Law) ordered him to do some thing & he refused (telling us he never had been ordered about by a Woman, since he left his Mother & he never would be) so they had some words, & she (his words) jabbed a pair or Shears into him, then he struck her, & I supposed they had a Free Fight, 10cts a Side. Now for the Daughter’s Story. She said one was her Mother, & one her Husband, so she would not [Lie] on either side. she said both was to blame. she had a Girl about 3 years old & the old woman had one 5 years old, the Daughter said, this yere Child (pointing to the oldest) keeps striking this yere Child, (pointing to her Child) & then this yere Child, strikes this yere child, & I wont have this yere Child strike this yere child.

So you see it was a good note on us going 2 miles outside the Lines, to settle a Family Quarrel. We could not settle this. While we were there the old woman wanted us to wait until she throwed his things out. I told the man, if they had another Fight I would hang him to a Tree. The best of all, the woman, said the man was no relation to her, he married her Daughter. So endeth the Dashing Raid by Lieut Green, & his brave followers.

I am going to try & get a pass to go out on the Battle Field, in a few days, then I shall have some trophies. Enclosed I send in this a piece of a Secesh Sergts Pants, same as worn by all.

8 March 1 PM. Charlie, we got relieved this morning at 10 AM, & trudged to Camp, through the mud. I hope you will now take care of the Horse, if you have got one to suit you keep her in good condition, till my return.

give my love to Rosa & tell her I will send her & Maggie a Cross next Letter

Love to all

Manley