Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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I just recd a letter from you and am glad that you still continue in good health
and that the Children are well also. And when you write you are at Marys I
almost wish I could be there to enjoy the visit with you but there is no use of
wishing for I am [pinned] for Two months to Come We are yet in the Same place as
when I wrote you last and nothing of much interest has happened since that time.
We have been busy at work fixing up our trench and breast work and the engineer
thinks it will now Stand against heavy artilery and with our 2500 men we think
that Four times the number could not take us without some difficulty
We very often get an alarm from our picket guard and sometimes in the night only
night before last we were Called out by the firing of a gun and on looking into
the matter we found that one of the guard saw something Coming towards him which
he Supposed to be a man and after Chalenging him Three times fired
his gun at him The Mule as it proved to be then kicked up his heels and run off
without being hit. This discharge was sufficient to arouse 2500 men and have
them in line of battle in Three minutes of time. At first these alarms were
quite Startling and some of the boys were rather Excited but now it has got to
be an old Story and when Called out all is Calm and some are really vexed
because they
cant have the Chance to Shoot their guns at the
Secessionists. I find that the longer we are out and as there is so much
Sameness that all are in greater or less degree longing for a fight and I
suppose this spirit will continue to increase as the time rools
away We are at present living rather better than heretofore and this noon we had
a good bean Soup which relished very much. At home this would not be considered
an extra dish but it was here thought as much of as pot pie at home although it
was a little burned The box from Swanton has not yet arrived and we begin to
think we Shall never see it at all but I would like the most of one thing the
Cap Covers which are in it to protect our necks from the Sun as it is very warm
here now.
Almost Every day some Company goes out Scouting around the
Country and almost in Every Case some Slaves follow them into Camp and
now there are some 25 or 30 Slaves inside the trench The duch regt
are famous for bringing in horses Mules and dogs with them and last night they
brought in Five cart loads of Corn. they Claim that they buy them so they are
not Complained of. As there is not much to make up a letter on I will not write
more this time but will give you a little plan of our Camp Dont forget to send
some Stamps and if you have room in your letters send me an envelope
occasionly as such things are very scarce here Give my love to
all the friends and Kiss the Children and dont forget to write often to your
loving
ValGB