Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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I wrote you only 2 or 3 days since but as I have time now and may not tomorrow I
will write a few lines. I recd two letters from you yesterday dated Dec 7th
& 10th the former was I think the best letter I ever got from you and if my
letters have the same affect on you that yours do on me I dont wonder that you
find fault with me sometimes and urge me to write oftener. I was surprised to
hear that you did not know where we are situated for when I first got here I
wrote and gave you a full description of this place but perhaps the letter never
reached you. We are on the Rail Road between Morehead City and Newbern
ten miles from the former and thirty from the latter place. this place is
called on the map by three or four different names. it is called Shepardsville,
Lucknow, & Newport. we are about a mile from the villages south, which is
composed of about fifteen houses three or four stores & a small church. the
barracks at this place were built by the rebs They are built of logs, and at
present are in a state of needing repairs. The Country round about here is very
bad and marshy, and the principal business is Turpentine & Tar Our camp is
quite pleasant and the soil is sandy so we are not troubled with mud. This is a
great place for the Chills and even the dogs have their daily shakes. I have
been very fortunate and now it has got so far advanced I dont expect to be
troubled. I am glad you have got the childrens photos taken and hope to
recieve them in a few days yours too for I presume you had yours
taken with the new set of furs on for me to see. did you not? I hope you did.
How do you like my new style of pen? do you admire the writing It is one of the
Crook points, and I dont know but I will use it altogether. I presume you will
think that my ink will be very expensive but you know that is furnished by the
Govt and if I did not use it up it would be wasted so I might as well daub it
on. Last eve a German just from Wilmington arrived here and as he was a musician
he gave us an entertainment, he has a cithera- which is a very musical
instrument. I am well and every thing goes on lovely.
Love to all
Your Aff Hussey Val. G. Barney