The following letter was written by Andrew Jackson (“Jack”) Manley (1844-1905) of Co. I, 14th Wisconsin Infantry. Jack enlisted with the regiment at the time of its formation and was still a teenager when the regiment entered the fight at Pittsburg Landing on its second day—the first battlefield scene of many they were to witness during the war. In his History of Company I, Edgar Houton wrote of Shiloh: “We thought it very likely that the war would be over before we arrived on the scene of action…We clench our teeth, and our faces assume the ashy pallor of death as we grasp our old Belgian rifles and move forward…Behold, we are about to receive our first lesson on the fighting field, but the sensation is far different from what we had expected. No one can visualize accurately the field of battle. He may paint in the most vivid colors its horrors, but when he places the picture drawn by his imagination beside the reality he finds it falls far short of the real.”

Despite his youth, Jack was a favorite among the boys of his regiment and a obviously a favorite of his captain, Calvin R. Johnson—the recipient of this letter. He was made a sergeant quickly and promoted to first sergeant, and then 1st Lieutenant of his company by September 1862.

Jack was the son of Zenas “Turner” Manley (1792-1857) and Rachel Brown (1799-1869) of Greenfield, Monroe county, Wisconsin.

Worden’s Battalion was a group of Wisconsin soldiers who served in the 14th Wisconsin Volunteer Regiment who reenlisted in 1863 and were assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 17th Army Corps. Capt. Calvin R. Johnson, to whom Jack addressed this letter, served as captain of Co. I throughout the war and afterwards became a Wisconsin state representative and county judge.

Transcription

Camp Worden’s Battalion
Near Atlanta, Georgia
September 16, 1864

Capt. [Calvin R.] Johnson,

Dear sir, I have received two letters from you lately and I will now endeavor to answer them.

I am as tough as ever and there is no end to my eating propensities. “Worden’s Battalion” is now in “full blast.” Capt. O[gden] W. Fox commanding—eight months without pay and still running at a “2-40” pace. Brig. General Col. Mallory has gone home on furlough, or some other business, and Maj. Col. Brig. Worden is commanding the Brigade. The campaign is over, and we have got back to the rear where “stile” lives and we begin to get down to “Regulations.”

Our musicians, who kept a respectable distance to the rear during the whole campaign, and from whom no sound of fife or drum was heard to cheer us on to battle, are now “right up to the chalk” and come down on their old music boxes like a “thousand of brick.” One would think they were inspired. It would be unjust to call it anything shorter.

It is now 4 p.m. We have just been out on Battalion Drill, Capt. O. W. Fox commanding. Had a “gay time.” We marched in line of battle and back again—changed from to rear—came to about face—stacked arms and rested in our places—endured a rest of 10 or 15 minutes—resumed arms—moved forward in two lines of battle, (closed en-mass)—double quicked to gain distance—wheeled into line—changed forward in common time—halted promiscuously, and voted a cessation of maneuvers—marched to camp by the right flank—right in front, and sought our quarters which was easily found. Thus ended lesson No (1).

Well, “Cap,” we have been over 8 months and a half without our pay, but they say it’s nothing when one gets used to it, and I believe it for when I look in my pocket book, I see just nothing.

We have positively prayed, cursed, and swore for the purpose of joining our regiment but all in vain. Oh no! it wouldn’t be military. If “military” says eat, we eat. If military says sleep, we sleep, or of military says thumbs up or thumbs down, why, then it’s thumbs up or down and “Simon” has “nary a word to say.”

I received a letter from Billy Hutchinson the other day in which he gave me a vivid description of the battle and skirmishes in which the Old 14th had participated since their baptism into the V. V. [Veteran Volunteer] Service. They had been in three pitched battles and several skirmishes but lost nary a man in killed or wounded. Bully for the Old 14th is all we can say.

Wilson [S.] Covill has received 2 letters from you and says he will answer them soon. He regrets he has not been able to write before. He wishes you would press his suit a little concerning his bounty, &c. &c. and he will be obliged…

The army has evidently fallen back to give the “Boys” a rest and consequently we have been out for two hours company drill in the forenoon, two hours Battalion drill in the afternoon. Also, Dress Parade and Company Inspection every evening, besides some considerable fatigue. Bully chance for resting, ain’t it?

I tell you, “Cap,” we have got a bully lot of boys in our little Battalion. Notwithstanding they have endured all the privation of a long and tedious campaign—erected 25 heavy lines of earthworks, besides an innumerable number of rifle pits—received no pay for over 8 months, they are still “true blue” and [have not] deserted us, and they will give a big majority to Old Abe providing he enforces the present draft. The 17th Wisconsin will go heavy for “Little Mac” of course.

The Boys are all in good spirits now but want their pay and swear they will have it before they stir a step on another campaign.

Oh, hear that. You have filled your quota in the town and I am glad to hear it. When you write again, tell me who enlisted for i am anxious to know. you will excuse my short letter as I can think of nothing more of interest. Yours as ever, — Jack Manley