Manley Stacey Civil War Letters

The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest

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Manley Stacey Civil War Letters

October 17, 1862 (to Charlie)

*Camp Douglas*	*up the Barracks, for us, If we are*
*Chicago*	*Discharged into the State Service*
*Oct 17th*	*& sent to Auburn, I do not think*
	*we will be held there. The Boys*
*Dear Charlie*	*are all Betting on their going home*
*Father seems to think that*	*in two weeks, That is too soon, I do*
*he can not trust you to carry a Revol-*	*not think we will go until about*
*ver. I think there is but little dan-*	*the middle of next month, as our*
*ger in carrying one as long as you*	*Officers do not get their Commissions*
*are careful The Revolver is a little*	*until they have been in Service*
*Beauty, in prime Order, it was*	*three months, & that will be the 7th*
*brought from New York & never was*	*of November. I should prefer being*
*taken from the Rebels. There was lots*	*Exchanged too [sic] going to, Auburn & lay*
*of chances to get them the day we sur-*	*ing all of the three Years Though*
*rendered, but we were afraid, they would*	*I should not object to going to my*
*scratch it. I saw lots of Revolvers broke*	*own State, or to going Home. If*
*up. I even went as far as to cut*	*we are Discharged I shall go*
*a hole in my Coat, to hide my money.*	*on the Road again, If I can get*
*Things begin to look brighter at the*	*on Father has not said whether*
*Camp now. All seem to think*	*he has bought you a watch or*
*that we are going home, one of our*	*not, or perhaps you do not want*
*Sergeants asked the Ajutant [sic] for a*	*one. I received a letter from Father*
*Furlough & he said he would get one*	*yesterday, In which he says he had not*
*soon enough. Another thing, that I don't*	*heard from me, about the Trunk, I wrote*
*want to be told, Augustus Green, our*	*Just as soon as Billy arrived here*
*Orderly has applied for the Lock Ber-*	*The Boys are bound it seems to dis-*
*lin School & still another, we had*	*obey Orders, in every way possible. At our*
*drawn part of our Clothes, but were*	*Dress Parades 5 PM, we are ordered*
*ordered not to draw any more until*	*to Present Arms, or give the Military*
*we knew whether we were to be Exch-*	*Salute to the Commanding Officer.*
*anged or Discharged. And still*	*The Boys obeyed to simply placing*
*another Genl Tyler, said that*	*the back of the right hand against*
*we would be soon Exchanged or*	*the Front Piece of their Cap, until*
*Discharged into the State Service.*	*the order, Shoulder Arms. Not one*
*One of the Boys, had a letter from*	*third of the Company will do it*
*Auburn & they say the are cleaning*	*Last night the boys turned out to*
	*Dress Parade at 4 PM*

*& had to drill for an hour, a great*	*Of course it is laid to the Harper*
*many of the Boys protest that they*	*Ferry Cowards. The 659 [83] Illinois*
*will not Drill until Exchanged*	*are the toughest Regt, that were*
*I think there will bee trouble*	*paroled & are always in to trou-*
*when they compel the 111th to Drill*	*ble. You should go over the Ground*
*I can not see, but what we are*	*after the Fire as I did this morning*
*breaking our Parole, if we Drill*	*at 5,30, There were bushels of dead*
*For my part I should*	*rats laying all over the Ground*
*prefer to drill an hour or two*	*& such large one's. It is reported*
*if ti was tight, but I cna not*	*here this morning that, we were*
*care about getting into*	*to be paid off & Discharged, If*
*trouble, But of course we have*	*this is so Most likely we shall see*
*got to obey every Officer over us*	*New York again. The Companies*
*no matter who it is, or whether*	*Sergeant offered to bet $20 that*
*right or wrong. We see nothing*	*we spend but three Sundays more*
*of Chap Brown, & do not know*	*in this place. He is one that*
*where he keeps himself. I hope*	*would be apt to know things*
*Mr Gavitt will come out here &*	*look that ways now. Ask Father*
*succeed in getting me a Furlough*	*what he paid for his Rubber Coat*
*I think it would be safer to*	*I have had a great many offers*
*come by 2d class by RR than to*	*for it, but did not know, Our boys*
*come by the Lake this Season*	*have great Times here, there are*
*of the year. We can see a little*	*a few who make a practice*
*of the Lake here. I hope you*	*of going out & getting Drunk, & raising*
*will succeed in getting you a*	*a Row & disturbing us all, they seem*
*nice Drum. Have you joined*	*to think they can do as they please*
*Millers Band yet, or why do you*	*which is a great mistake. We*
*not. We had a Fire on the*	*have got a very cold Barracks*
*Ground last night 12 company*	*here, but do not intend to fix*
*Barracks & Cook Houses were burned*	*them up, until we know what is*
*to the Ground & men are reported*	*to be done. I got nearly a pound*
*to be killed, The boys lost almost*	*of splendid Black Tea, the other*
*everything. The Fire broke out*	*day of Althea Yager, which tastes*
*among the new Illinois Troops*	*tip top as the Quartermaster furnishes*
*& burnt out Two or three Regt*	*[furnishes] us no Tea now, he is*
	*trying to see how cheap he can*
	*board us. he has got down to*
	*16 cts, therefore makes 30 cts clean*
	*on every man Love to all*
	*Manly*

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