Manley Stacey Civil War Letters

From the collection of the Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest, Illinois

July 6, 1863

Camp near Littlestown Pa
July 6th 7 AM

Dear Father

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

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

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

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

Manley

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Manley Stacey

born October 29, 1842

died December 26, 1863

Written during the battle of Gettysburg, July 1-3, 1863

"When we camped last, we could see the wounded coming in, those that were able to walk, and the cavalry horses coming in riderless. This showed us that something was going on...I think this will be an awful battle very soon and of course we are in for it...It is a sad sight to see the wounded brought in on stretchers, the poor boys all covered with blood & as pale as death.

"Last night at 4 PM we were ordered to march and form in Line of battle on our left. After a great deal of confusion, we got formed and then we were ordered to advance, right in the face of the rebel guns who were firing their grape and canisters into us by wholesale...After a great deal of marching and counter marching, we were ordered to charge on a rebel battery. We were now right in front of our canons, advancing on their guns, the rebel sharpshooters in our rear picking off our officers. This was an awful time the shells taking the men down by ranks. While we were marching, a man was shot, and the Blood was spilling all over my face, it perfectly Blinded me.

"At 1 PM we were shelled by 100 guns, all concentrated on the force supporting the battery. There we laid behind a stone wall, the shells passing over us and killing the men all around me. Three men were killed and thrown across me, covering me with blood. While we were laying here, a shell struck a stone in the wall and killed a man throwing the man across my legs and the stone striking me in the back & doubling me up.

"We have got about 18 men now in the Company fit for duty and 150 in the Regiment. We went in the fight with over 400, and have yet now 150."

The Letters

Other Letters and Documents

Letter from Althea Yager to Stacey - January 22, 1863

Letter from L. M. Stout to Stacey - March 9, 1863 Letter from S.R. [Gr...] to Stacey’s Parents [?]

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