Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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It has been now five days since I last wrote you I would have written before but
I have had a great deal of writing to do making out our muster roll &c so I
was pretty tired of it and have not felt like writing before My health is
improving at present and I begin to feel something like myself again though the
loss of 30 lbs of flesh has weakened me considerable and it will take more than
soldiers fare to bring me bake to my former condition but I think after being in
Vt a short time I will be all right and that we will all be there in a few days
is pretty certain We did not move as we expected and will probably remain here
until the 2nd of Aug
when we will leave for home and the calculation
is now that we will be mustered out and return to our families by the 9th inst I
have not fully decided as to meeting you at Danby but will write you again soon
or perhaps as soon as I get to our destination which will probably be
Brattleboro. I did not write home to have money sent you as I wrote I would
but will see that you have Some by Some means I received your letter last night
also one from Father he writes that Aunt Lucy is now living in the Samantha
Brewer house and that he has done something at building her house but has got
Lumber so that if I wish to build this fall I can do So. I suppose you all feel
Sad on account of our defeat at Manassas and well you may for it was an awful
disgraceful thing to our Country When the news Came here all
seemed to be cast down and I felt almost like weeping but this defeat may have
all been for the best and that all will turn out well yet. There will probably
be no fighting at present without the rebels should attact Washington
and it appears that this was feared for 4 of our best regts were taken there day
before yesterday but I hardly think they will try it at present, but the north
will make preparations and be able at their next advance to Sweep all before
them and End the war with one grand battle. Nothing new about our camp as
happened only that Gen. Baxter was here yesterday and day before he left for
Baltimore and sent back
notice that our regt would go the 2nd on
board a certain Steamer whose name I have forgot So only 4 days more remain for
us to get ready to Start I dont expect to hear from you again while here but
will wait with patience till I can See you and then the pen will be thrown aside
but with united hearts we will Converse to our own Satisfaction and as long as
we please. I can hardly wate for the time to pass but will make it
seem as short as possible If you learn where we are to go to be mustered out you
can write so that I will get the letter when I get there for it will be long to
not hear anything for nearly two weeks to Come. Kiss the dear little ones and I
send you a good good one for yourself but will retain one for you which I will
give you on our meeting
Good byeV.G. Barney