Manley Stacey Civil War Letters

The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest

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Manley Stacey Civil War Letters

September 11, 1862

*Bolivan Heights*	*Men, then I think something*
*near Harpers Ferry*	*will be done. I am but little*
*Sep 11th /62*	*afraid of being attacked here. We*
	*are on a very high hill & on only*
*Dear Father*	*one side can they get at us.*
*I have written you two letters*	*It was reported last night that Jack-*
*Since we left our other Camp Ground*	*son was retreating towards the Ferry.*
*but can not tell whether you, have*	*We are expecting every moment to*
*received them or not, as I have*	*day to be called out to go on a*
*received no mail from home*	*Scout, Day before yesterday two of the*
*in over a week. I have felt quite*	*men, belonging to this Co. went out*
*anxious to hear from you, since*	*for water & have either been taken*
*I heard that it was reported*	*Prisoner[s] or have deserted & yesterday*
*that we, were cut to pieces.*	*Billy Waters, disappeared, very mys-*
*I can not see how, such a re-*	*teriously. He was out all the night*
*port as that got started, unless*	*before on Picket with the company*
*it was that we were surrounded*	*& did not come in when the rest did.*
*Even then they could cause*	*I think today we shall search*
*but little harm, as we have some*	*for him. I am in hopes he will come*
*very powerful Batteries, stationed*	*back, as I lent him my watch, not*
*so as to Guard the peace from*	*thinking but that he would*
*every point. To be sure they can*	*come back. Mr. Francisco has money*
*cut off our supplies for 2000*	*of his, & if he has deserted, I think*
	*I can get it off him. I value it*
	*at $25, as I had been offered that for*
	*it. I am in hopes we shall hear*
	*from him. I have been sick for*
	*the past two or three days, with the*
	*Bloody Dysentry, it has brought me*
	*down so I am quite weak.*
	*The Captain & both Lieutenants have*
	*been very kind to me, Liet Moor sent*
	*me some [s ] Berries, which tas-*
	*ted very good. To day Crowl is*
	*pretty sick, he is troubled with the*
	*same thing. Hardly any one in the*
	*camp had escaped it, I think it*
	*owing to the change of water*
	*& Diet. I tell you I miss the good*
	*living at home, especially since*
	*I have been sick. No Pies Cakes*
	*Puddings or any delicacies.*

*There is some talk of promoting*	*ing to the right horse first team*
*two men out of the Ranks to fill*	*Guiding both teams by that one line*
*the 21st & 5th Corporals place,*	*I don't know what this [war]*
*that have been reduced & have*	*business is coming too, they seem*
*resigned. If it is done & I am not*	*to be doing nothing at all.*
*promoted I shall resign, most*	*I have not been homesick at all*
*certainly, I am sure I shall not*	*until since I have been Sick.*
*serve under them. So the next*	*Then I missed the home diet*
*time I write I may be a Private.*	*What does mother think of going*
*The only thing we have to trouble*	*to England, this fall. I suppose you*
*us now is not getting the mail*	*will be at conference before this*
*The Rebels have planted Batteries*	*reaches you, I should like to*
*between here & the Point of Rocks*	*be there, Col Winters Division*
*& at [ ] along the Rail*	*from [ ] [Martins] [ ]*
*Road so we have no commu-*	*bring, around here tonight*
*nication with Baltimore, & I hope*	*We are now expecting*
*it will soon be removed.*	an attack. Sat morn
*We are now busy here cutting down the*	*Spent quite a sick night*
*woods in [this] [B ], & throwing up*	*could keep nothing on*
*Breast Works, this I think is all*	*my stomach. WE can*
*nonsense, as I do not believe we*	*hear firing in the dis-*
*will stay here long. I hope not*	*tance this morning, can*
*it is such an out of the way place*	*not tell where nor what*
*Everything is such old style. You*	*it is*
*should see the Engines on the Rail*
*Road. The Engineers house is*	*With Love to all*
*right up on top of the Engine, they*	*hoping to hear from*
*are the most awkward looking*	*you soon*
*things you have ever seen.*	*Manly*
*I had a talk with one of the En-*
*gineers, about his miserable looking*	NB
*Engines, he thought I was Green*	*Please mention about my*
*he said they were the latest*	*watch to Francisco. Yesterday*
*Style, I told him he was just*	*a search was made for Waters*
*50 years behind the times. I told*	*& it is pretty positive that*
*him that a New York State*	*he has gone to Ohio*
*Engineer would not disgrace*
*themselves enough to run one*
*of them. And their Teams*
*here are all four hoses. A Darky*
*sits on the left horse of the 2nd*
*team & has one line reach-*

Facsimiles of this letter

This Week in the Civil War

Why were there outbreaks of Dysentery among the soldiers?

http://www.cl.utoledo.edu/canaday/quackery/quack8.html

http://www.civilwarhome.com/civilwarmedicine.htm

http://www.civilwarmedicine.aphillcsa.com/generalinfo.html

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