Manley Stacey Civil War Letters

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Manley Stacey Civil War Letters

December 7, 1862 (to Charlie)

*Camp Casey*	*arriving there, about 3 PM, We had*
*Co D 111 Regt NYSV*	*no sooner, broke Ranks, when*
*Dec 7th /62*	*our Co was Detailed to go on*
*Mr Charles Stacey*	*Picket, about 5 miles west, to-*
*Dear Sir*	*wards Fairfax Court House. You*
*As yesterday was*	*may be sure this did not set*
*your Birthday, I wish you*	*well, as we had no Rations, to*
*many happy returns of the day.*	*take with us, & was tired out.*
*And I hope you, enjoyed your-*	*We left the Camp & after a very*
*self better than I did. I wrote*	*tedious March, got there about*
*to Father, last Thursday morning*	*8 PM, We were assigned a post*
*Just as we was leaving Camp*	*about a mile north & dragged*
*Chase, & Suppose you have got that.*	*ourselves to the Post, & worried*
*We left the Camp about 9,30 AM, &*	*the night away as best we could*
*marched, Sought towards Fairfax*	*The next morning about 9 AM*
*Seminary, we marched past*	*it commenced to rain & soon*
*the Seminary, (a Splendid Build-*	*to Snow, Then our Troubles, began*
*ing, now used for a Hospital)*	*we had no Shelter, right out*
*to our present Camp, but a*	*in an open Field. In the after-*
*very Short distance, from it*	*noon I found out a Farm House*
	*& got me a Dinner, that did*
	*me a great deal of good.*
	*There I learned how to make*

*Hoe Cake, They make a large*	*to be Winter Quarters, a great many*
*Cake & bake it right on top of*	*will not see Spring. While on Pick-*
*the Stove, with out Griddle. At*	*et, all the Rations we had was*
*night we [drew] the Pickets in*	*a Loaf of Bread apiece for 48*
*towards a Large Woods, there*	*hours. This we would not have*
*we [made] us houses of our Blan-*	*had, had it not been for our*
*kets & built up large Fires. But*	*Colonel, who bought it himself*
*it was so cold we could not*	*& sent it to us. Our QM, has*
*sleep. Yesterday afternoon we were*	*been off on a Drunk & has not*
*relieved after being out 48 hours*	*been seen here until yesterday.*
*& Right Glad we were to come*	*What kind of a state of things*
*back to Camp. We got here ag-*	*do you call this, here we are*
*ain about 8 PM, & built up some*	*within 12 miles from Washington*
*fire in a Stove in our Tent*	*& can not Draw Rations. I will*
*but it is so cold here, they*	*not deny that on Friday night*
*we can hardly keep from free-*	*& yesterday, I was homesick &*
*zing. Our Camp is on the top*	*totally discouraged. I do not*
*of a hill, about [9] miles*	*like being used like this. When*
*west of Alexandria. But what*	*it is unnecsary [sic]. It is a great*
*makes things worse, our QM*	*shame. And then to be sent*
*traded our Tents off & we got the*	*off on Picket, 5 miles, without*
*[Sibly] Tents, holding 15, They are*	*Rations & no Ammunition, Suppose*
*poor miserable ones & if this is*	*we had been Attacked that night*
	*or while there, what could we*
	*have done. Our Pickets have*
	*been fired into on the Post*
	*& it is, a rather responsible one.*
	*It was the most foolish thing*
	*I ever saw. While on Picket*
	*we arrested a Spy & sent him*
	*to Washington. He did not pretend*

	*THE REST OF THIS LETTER IS MISSING*

Facsimiles of these letters

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