Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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being on guard yesterday I did not get a chance to write to you but I will try to
this morning although I was up all night attending to my duties and feel as
though a little sleep would do me some good but the mail goes out at 2 oc and I
thought if I laid down I might not wake up in time to finish a letter and have
it go in to days mail and I know you would be disapointed too if you did not get
my letters regularly I had a very busy time on guard fixing up the guard house
&c. it had not been cleaned out for some time and the men could not find a
place to rest themselves during the night. I had a general over hauling. bunks
fixed up holes in the floor stoped up, new windows put in, new hay got and by
night things were very comfortable so that the men rested as well as they would
in their quarters when off the relief
The boys said they wished I
would come on guard often as it would be so much more pleasant to do guard duty.
I will probably come on about once in 5 days as our Court Martial has adjourned
this is not hard in comparison to what the men have to do for they come on every
other day and it makes it pretty hard for them but we omit all drills and have
merely a dress parade once a day. I drill my men some now in the bayonet
exercise and they are learning quite fast and the reason is they are all very
anxious to learn it and instead of my calling on them to drill they call on me
to drill them. Orderly Whitmore is quite unwell now and has been stopping down
in the City at his sisters. he will probably be discharged soon on account of
disability. I think his lungs are affected and he will never be able to stand
the blunt of camp life again. Sgt Halbert then will be my orderly and if he dont
get above his business will make a good one as he is a very smart young man
Sergt Bowditch is now acting orderly as Halbert has charge of 300 Prisoners
Some of the prisoners are taking the oath of allegiance and
yesterday while I was on guard 21 passed out who had taken it, they dont seem
inclined to join our army at present so instead of filling up my Company with
them I will have to wait till they commence drafting in Vermont and I anticipate
some sport breaking in some deacon or priest to go through military movements as
I believe they are not exempt from a draft and possibly it may be the lot of
some of them to be assigned to my care. I am glad the bill has passed and I hope
enough men will be immediately drafted to put down the rebellion before another
fall. the meanest thing about the draft is that any are allowed to evade it by
paying a certain amount. I received your letter dated March 2nd Last eve and I
was surprised to hear that Elisha was at home I presume he is enjoying himself
finely I wish I could be there and see him but perhaps when we are sent East we
will be near each other and see each other occasionally. I hope so, it is now
nearly a year and a half since I have had the pleasure of seeing him. It appears
you women got your backs up considerably on account of Dr Halls
absence at this time the small pox broke out. if you could be in the army a
while you would get used to such disapointments and delays so that if a man got
around in the course of 3 or 4 days you would think you were pretty well used
and that he was very prompt. I am glad to know that Hattie is contented and I
guess she had better conclude to always make it her home with us but I presume
she would like pretty will to see Mother and Father. A few days ago I heard from
Wm Coney. he is at Alexandria and as Col. Andross is going there in a few days
he will bring him back with him I should hate to loose him for he was one of the
best boys in the Co .if you see T. Marvin you may tell him what I say about him.
We are all well as usual Sgt Meigs is well also Sartwell To day is a splendid
day and how I would like to take a ride with you and have a good talk. I will
enclose you another photograph as it is different from any you have if you like
it I will send another if you wish How does Carrie like her letter. I suppose I
must write Fred one or there will be a fuss. Kiss them for me
Your loving husband Val G. Barney