Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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I received your letter night before last dated Aug 7th being No. 6 and it appears
you have not got all my letters but whether you get them or not I mean to keep
writing to you and as to getting time I am not troubled as to that and if I was
obliged to be on duty evry day I would find some time evry few days to write a
few lines to the loved ones at home and you may expect to hear from me often as
long as there is a chance to get letters to you - Since I last wrote very little
has transpired unusual about camp besides that two men of Co “F” Burlington have
died and are buried I dont know their names. Capt Bebee was sent home by Exp. My
Co. are not as well as when I wrote but I have none who are verry sick but quite
a number who are a little unwell and in quarters
among them is Chas
Walker the only one from S- but what are able for duty My health continues good
and improv- ing some I think as I have gained 3 lbs the past week. We have news
of the Battle at Culpepper and some little fear has been felt here for a day or
two of an attack from some quarter. All the way I know is from appearances. When
I see the guard at Fort doubled and 6 companys detailed to sleep there at night
and the men put through on the Fortifications and for a longer time, I begin to
think that something is up, though perhaps we shall not see any fighting for
months and perhaps not at all but we will get ready for them so if they should
come we can give them a warm reception. I saw by last nights paper that Capt
Brooks was killed on the Miss. River while going to Vicksburgh on board the
Steamer “Ceres” by a six pound shot fired by the Rebels. I presume you will hear
of it before getting this - Day before yesterday I was officer of the Guard
and saw the hardest days labor there that I have had. I had charge
of about 200 men which was 3 times to many for one man to see to and no sleep
did I see that night. the day before I went down to one of old Johnsons forts
about one mile from here and in a building inside the fort I discovered a number
of doors so when I was on guard I sent a squad of my men and confiscated 4 of
the largest & nicest ones and brought them in and they now are the floor to
my tent, they make a nice floor although somewhat rough on account of the
pannells but we dont mind that as long as we can have it dry underfoot. I got
news that H. Platt was elect Capt. of the S- Co & Chilton the 2d Lieut. I
hope they will come here How do you get along with your garden and how do the
children do I want you to write all the particulars Kiss them both often for me
I will make a little scetch of our position here. With much love your
Hus Val
These hills are very rough and uneven [Drawing of the encampment] New works and probably where we shall move to in a few days
The 60 Ohio and 9th Vt are in the woods and the 3 Regts are enclosed by a hedge of large trees being fell with tops pointing out to prevent cavalry coming in.
The 39th NY are also strongly entrenched on a hill.
What a scrawl