Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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I wrote you a letter yesterday but to day I recd three from you all written
previous to my last. Dec 21st 22d & 24th and I assure you they were
welcome, and I passed one of my pleasantest hours perusing them I am glad you
dont wate for set days to write but do so when you feel like it. I cant write
regularly as you desire. that is I will not bind my-self to any set rules with
regard to it but write when the notion takes hold of me- and I hope you will not
compel me to feel that I must write under all
circumstances if I would escape reproach- And though many days should pass
between my letters I hope you have confidence enough in me to believe that
noting of real importance will be left untold which will promote our natural
welfare My dear you know me better than any
living being and I am
trying to live so that nothing need be kept from you I mean so that I would not
be ashamed to have you see & know every act of my life. Maria you
possess the best of my feelings, my whole heart is yours You know I hardly ever speak in very strong
terms of my affections towards any one and rather laughed at the idea of talking
love. I believed more in showing it in actions, but as we are so far separated,
and for so long, and no chance to show you the depth of my love, I cant desist
from telling you how near you are to my heart and it seems the longer we are
separated the stronger my attachment for you grows- You know I have often told
you that we were made for each other. I am of that same opinion still, only I
feel it more deeply and know that your love is as essential to my happiness as
food is to sustain life. Always remember that we are one and the same that we are united by that which neither time nor
power can break. I cant explain to you all that I
feel I can only
say that I believe your feelings towards me are the same as mine towards you. In
fact I know they are, for it is not possible for one to feel as I do without the
same is returned, so when you really wish to know the feelings of my heart: look
to yours- I spoke of it being hard work for me to write that 12th & 13th
letter but you mistook my meaning. I meant my mind was too full of business or
something else to bring it down to writing a friendly letter and do it as I
could wish to- dont you sometimes feel so? I was astonished to hear of H. Platt
and really hope the report may be contradicted for I had much confidence in him-
The snuff came all safe for which I am very much obliged, my catarrh is entirely
cured. I will not write more this eve and get business & weather
&c mixed up with sentiment- Why dont Carrie write I want her to
often
Your Aff Husband V. G. Barney
Friday Morning 8th Jany-
Dear Maria
I will just write you a line
this morning and tell you that last eve after finishing your letter Q.M.
Sawyer Lt. Bascom & Adjt Livingston came in and we had a splendid game
of cards. Whist &c. Q.M. & I came out best- We have had rather
uncomfortable & disagreeable weather here for a few days. It is what we
have called cold but has rained almost continually- I went up to Newport
village (one mile) night before last and spent the evening with Capt Sherman
(Provost Marshal) at his boarding place ( Nat Porters) & got acquainted
with the family some, but find them like all North Carolina people rather
poor acquaintances and very ignorant. We have got a new Major. Capt Bartlett
Co “E,” formerly from Stowe Vt. he is a good officer and I presume will be a
pleasant associate he is at present in Vermont on recruiting service and I
dont know how soon he will return I think I will try to get a leave when he
does
Your Affectionate Husband
V G Barney