Manley Stacey Civil War Letters

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Manley Stacey Civil War Letters

December 8, 1862 (to Father)

*Camp near Fairfax Sem*	*I would not object to a little Dried*
*Dec 8th /62*	*fruit, so that we could [stew], them*
*Dear Father*	*here. I do not think I need, any*
*I wrote you a letter*	*Buttons & [thread], I have got plenty of*
*yesterday, & will write you again*	*both. I would like a towel or two &*
*to day. I received your letter*	*a few pins. The Mittens I shall not*
*last night about 6 PM & was*	*object too, though do not need them*
*very glad to hear from you again*	*now. I shall be very glad to get*
*I hope Alec will come, pretty soon*	*the Watch, as I need it on Picket, or*
*as I need my Boots very much,*	*on Guard. Yesterday was, an awful*
*these I have got, are all worn out*	*cold & windy day. At night we drew*
*& are not fit to wear, especially*	*Rounds of Cartridges, the story*
*in the snow. I do not think it*	*was, that they were expecting us*
*best for you to send me any*	*to be attacked during the night*
*Apples, ( a barrel I mean), it will*	*All nonsense. In about a week*
*cost so much, & then there is no*	*if we stay here, we shall live a*
*chance to get, it up from the*	*little more comfortable, We have*
*City. Apples are very dear here*	*taken the 15th Connecticut's place*
*we have to deny ourselves these*	*& their Tents. Some of them have*
*things now. I should not object*	*got Floors in, & will be more com-*
*to a few, in my boots, when sent*	*fortable, for Winter Quarters.*
	*The story is now, that we are*
	*to stay here & are, to go out on*
	*Picket twice a week. I do not*

*like the idea of this in the Winter.*	*not drawing full Rations, not have*
*I would rather go nearer, the*	*we at any time. We had Dress*
*City. Only two Papers a day, are gran-*	*Parade last night, it was so cold*
*ted, but it is to far from the*	*that we almost Froze. I tell you*
*City, to go there in a day, it is*	*this life is tough, in Winter*
*about 12 miles. I hardly know yet*	*But the winter only lasts*
*whether our Colonel, will be Brig-*	*this month & next, then the*
*adier Genl, or not. I hope he will.*	*Mud. Winter has fairly set*
*I sincerely hope our QM, will be*	*in here. I dreamed last*
*[Cashiered] & that Moor will take his*	*night that Willie Vandermark*
*place, this would suit us all.*	*was dead. Id o not know of*
*What did Moor, say about my pro-*	*any more News to write, now*
*motion, or had he not heard any*	*but will write soon again.*
*thing about it. You may be sure*	*I would like a little paper &*
*I shall not object to being Sergt.*	*some Envelopes. I received the*
*you may be sure. Then I can*	*Money all right, never need-*
*carry a Sword, as Sergts, carry*	*ed it more in my life.*
*them. I expect some of us will*	*Please write again Soon*
*have to go on Picket again to*	*Love to all Mother Maggie*
*day, or tomorrow. I dread the 6*	*Charlie Rosa & the same*
*mile walk, with my boots, I shall*	*for yourself. Should like*
*have wet feet. I hope Moore, will*	*to home with you at Christ-*
*come, this week, certainly. We are*	*mas & New Years, tip top.*
	*Please write soon*
	*Manley*
	*I wish you would send me some*
	*cough medicine.*

December 8 & 9, 1862 - second letter (to Father)

*On Picket, 9 miles west*	*had better Direct some Envelopes*
*of Alexandria, Dec 8th 62*	*for her. He wants to know which*
*Dear Father*	*one of his Children was hurt.*
*After I wrote to you this*	*Just about 6 PM, Officer of the Day, came*
*morning, we were ordered into line*	*around & told, us to conceal, our Fires*
*again to go on Picket. It looks now*	*as much as possible, to fire two Guns*
*like being out here, two thirds of the*	*off in case of trouble, The orders, were*
*time, I do not like the Idea, of walk-*	*very strict, about halting men, & in*
*ing out here twice a week. I*	*case we were attacked, to rally to-*
*would rather stay out for a week*	*gether. This is that same place that*
*at a Time, if they only furnished*	*[McClenans] Army had Pickets out*
*us Rations enough. We are now*	*& where they fired into one another*
*stationed in a large woods, on*	*This is a mighty pleasant place*
*a Side hill. We have made us*	*to be on Picket & the Farthest ones*
*little huts of Boughs, of trees & can*	*out at that. But then that is the*
*make out to live a little more*	*Excitement of the Thing. Dec 9th*
*comfortable, than I did before*	*10 AM. We had a pretty good*
*I spoke to Hoy to day, he says he*	*time last night, no excitement*
*has not had a Letter from his*	*I have just got your letter, on*
*wife, since October. Perhaps you*	*Picket, & need not tell you, how glad*
	*I was to get it, I never had a letter*
	*do me more good. the Stamps, came*
	*all right. I want you to keep an*

*an account, of it. Id o not want*	*as some days, I want to write*
*you to be anything out by it. Barney*	*more than one page, I will*
*is on Picket, Corporal of the Guard*	*send mine home at the end*
*I shall be glad to get the Trunk*	*of the Year. The name of our*
*you may be sure. I think we*	*Camp is, Camp Pomeroy, I*
*can get the Trunk brought*	*made a mistake*
*up in one of the Baggage Waggon [sic]*
*or Commissary's Waggon. We have had*	*Write soon*
*some pretty had times, the past*	*Love to all*
*few days, but to day it is a splendid*	*Manley*
*day, nice & warm, just like Spring.*
*It looks now like, our having*
*Winter Quarters here. The story*
*is now, that our Regt has got to*
*come, out on Picket, once a week*
*This will be better. I will try &*
*write you almost every day, for*
*I love to hear from you often*
*I must send this in by one of*
*the boys, so that it will go out*
*I will answer, the letter tomorrow*
*& may have more news. Please*
*send me a Good Thick, Diary*

Facsimiles of these letters

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