Manley Stacey Civil War Letters

The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest

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Manley Stacey Civil War Letters

October 10, 1862

*Camp Douglas*	*not make any thing out of me*
*Chicago Oct 10th 7 AM*	*Williams is noted for his tall*
	*lying, it is acknowledged to*
*Dear Father*	*be the tallest Liar in the Company.*
*I received your letter*	*When on the march he steals*
*on Thursday, & I was glad to hear*	*everything he can lay his hand*
*that we was so soon to have a*	*on, or draw as they call it. On*
*Box from home. It was not so*	*the Road from Harrisburg to Pitts*
*what Williams wrote home, about*	*burg, he with a lot of others, got*
*we having all that is needed*	*off at a Station, & went in to a*
*You can judge for Yourself, we*	*poor Widow's & took over 30 cans*
*have Coffee & Bread & sometimes*	*of Preserves & Fruit, from her Cup*
*Beef & that none to tender*	*board, right before her eyes, he*
*nor is any to [sic] fresh, half the*	*is a hard case, though a good*
*time it is not fit to eat.*	*natured boy. Who sent the pears*
*Suppose the Beef was good, at*	*loose in the Trunk, Williams*
*supper I think. Coffee & Bread is*	*claimed them. You asked me*
*quite dry. I can not drink*	*about my Boots. They wear tip top*
*the Coffee since I was sick*	*& will last me two months yet*
*at the Ferry. I am sure I shall*	*with a little fixing yet. I am*
*be glad to get a few things.*	*more determined than ever, not*
*9 AM Billy Waters just arrived*	*to wear Army Shoes. I just got*
*& brought our things, all right*	*a letter from you directed too [sic]*
*except the Hony [sic], that run all over*	*Harpers Ferry, but have not got*
*the Trunk. I am very much*	*the one Directed to*
*obliged for my things, I tell*	*Annapolis yet, but I think I shall*
*you they are just what we need*	*yet. Yesterday morning Mrs Stone*
*I do not care who says any*	*& Althea Yager drove to the Barr-*
*thing to the contrary. I can*	*acks to see me and to the 126th*
*tell you that it will taste*	*to see the Clifton Boys. they both*
*good to me. I guess William*	*gave me a Cordial Invitation*
*is sorry he did not send*	*to come out & see them & spend*
*for any thing, but he will*	*the day, They live only about a*
	*Mile from our Camp. I shall*
	most certainly do it as it will
	*be quite a change. It is very*
	cold here to day, so that we
	need our Over Coats.

We are but a Short distance	*How could I, I can not get*
*west of the lake, & the wind blows*	*a pass, only when my turn comes*
*very Cold. I think it will belov-*	*Mr Brown came on Sunday*
*ly here in winter. I shall be glad*	*but had no service. Sat 7 AM*
*to get the Gloves & Hat, even if*	*We have just had the Coldest*
*we stay here whether we will*	*night of the Season, we have just*
*or not. The boys organized a*	*got a stove up in the Barracks*
*Debating School on Wednesday*	*I am very much obliged to*
*night last Subject of Debate*	*Rosa and Maggie, for the Cakes*
*Resolved that the work's of Nature*	*& letter I hardly know what*
*attract man, more than the*	*to make of our life*
*works of Art. Decission [sic] in favor*	*here Yesterday it was reported*
*of the Affirmative. the meeting*	*that, we were going to New*
*was postponed until last eve,*	*York State to be held as res-*
*but that got played out as one of*	*erves, until exchanged, but*
*the Learning Debates Thomas Hunter was*	*of Course we do not believe it*
*in the Guard House for getting*	*unless we hear it positive*
*drunk, Last night the boys had*	*last night we had a fire on*
*a dance in our Barracks, and*	*the Ground, two Baracks & a Cook*
*enjoyed themselves tip top. During*	*House was burned up, & do not*
*the Day, you can see the boys*	*know what occasioned*
*playing Ball, Running Races & at all*	*it. I have got a very bad cold*
*sorts of Games, in which some*	*now, but will soon get over*
*of the Officers join in.*	*that. You said that A Williams*
*The Ladies of Chicago, are very*	*writes such long letters, does*
*good to our sick boys, bringing*	*he send more news than I*
*them in, in their Carriages, a*	*do In the course of the week*
*great many Delicacies,*	*This makes the 4th letter*
*I will tell you how I got sold*	*this week. I try to send*
*yesterday when I was talking*	*you all the News. The reason*
*to Miss Yager, one of the Soldiers*	*why A B Williams wrote home*
*Stepped up and asked Mrs Stone*
*if she had any milk, supposing*
*it was some of the ladies, that*
brought in things, I felt mean
*You asked me if I went out*
*to meeting, last Sunday*

*that we are living so well*	*We had a very heavy back*
*was, he had just got a letter*	*mail from Harpers Ferry, yester-*
*from home with money in it*	*day, In which I got several*
*& he did not draw rations*	*papers. I am glad to get the*
*it was the same Case with*	*Lyons Republican, if you will*
*Barny. I think a great*	*send me that is all I ask.*
*deal of Francisco, he is a*	*That story that Williams wrote*
*little Gentleman, & is always*	*about that Dutchman jump-*
*the Same, So is Hunt, I am*	*ing down a Bank, 150 feet*
*Disappointed in Williams*	*high is no such thing*
*I see the Advantage of Being*	*No one knew when he Jum-*
*a Corporal now, I have no duty*	*ped off or whether he was kill-*
*to perform at all here, such*	*ed or not. I suppose you*
*as Carrying Water & Cleaning up*	*have heard a great deal*
*Barracks. I Bunk with our*	*about drawing things, it is*
*2nd Sergeant, Charlie Cook*	*no more nor less than*
*ingham, Son of the Gentleman*	*taking things with out lease*
*that Brought those things home*	*I am glad they can not say*
*to you. It is reported that Mr.*	*that I have been concerned*
*Gavitt is coming out here in*	*in it, I have kept clean of*
*the course of a week, if so you*	*all such things. I do not see*
*could send my watch by him*	*any use in your giving me*
*You did not say whether you*	*so many lectures, on keeping*
*were going to buy Charlie one*	*out of the Rows here, I should*
*Just like mine, I [hope] will*	*think you knew me better than*
*I will send Charlies Revolver*	*to think I would be engaged*
*Home as soon as I get a good*	*in any such things. I think*
*Chance, Its a Beauty, but he*	*with out exception our Co has*
*must keep it dry & keep a little*	*the roughest name in the*
*grease on it, and be sure*	*Regt, I do not think they*
*and not let it rust*	*would disgrace when enga-*
	*aged in Battle, & I [think it]*

*is there they will make*
*them selves heard, & that*
*for good. I saw Mr Bronson*
*yesterday from Lyons.*
*Our Camp lies about 4 miles*
*west of the the City, right between*
*the Illinois Central & Lake*
*Shore RR. The Street Cars*
*run right past the Camp*
*so it is but a few moments*
*ride to the Center of the City*
*I tell you what I would*
*like, that is a couple of*
*Flannel Shirts, something that*
*would not Show dirt very*
*easy, & yet look nice, Some-*
*thing like, what was sent to*
*Barny in the Box, I think*
*we will need two Shirts*
*here, and have the Army*
*shirt underneath. We have*
*got several men in our*
*Company, that are playing up*
*sick in order to get discharged*
*I despise such actions*

*Hoping to hear from you soon*

*Manley*

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