Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
Primary tabs
I arrived here last eve with my Co after a fatiguing march we came over 20 miles
yesterday and when we got here I had but 25 men in the Co and I left Hap Ferry
with 96. I found the rest of them here for as they felt out they were put on
board the cars and got here before us We have had a very hard march and had I
not been very tough I could not have stood it but I am here safe and feel finely
this morning sitting in the warm sun, with Sartwell on one side and Lester Green
on the other and a stump for my Table and Knapsack for my chair I found 3 of my
men here who were left at Winchester one of them is C. Walker the rest are there
yet and I have heard nothing from them yet, but I hope soon
to see
one of my Lieuts here before long for I am kept so close to my company It is
thought that we were sold at H. Ferry and I am inclined to the same opinion, but
what they will do with us I cant tell. Some say we are to be sent west to fight
the Indians and others that we are to be sent to our own state but what to
believe I cant decide I am perfectly reconciled to any thing that comes and if
we are ordered to Cape Horn I am willing to obey though I would much prefer to
be exchanged and fight the Rebels for a while, I will give you a little account
of the part I took in the Engagement at H.Ferry Well after the Rebels had driven
our forces from Maryland Hights and were planting Batteries there as well as
Loudon Hights I was at about morn of Sunday ordered out with my Co to Reinforce
the Pickets as there was fear of them being driven in So
off we
started and while on the way out the Rebs opened fire on our camp from 4
different points our Batteries returning fire. After I arrived at my post I
stationed a part of my men in the edge of the woods to watch the movements of
the Enemy and their pickets could be seen just across a field and near enough so
our boys might have shot some of them but the orders were not to fire but to
keep watch of the moves and report often I kept the rest in the rear of the
woods as a reserve. this was hardly done when a Battery opened fire on us from
the opposite woods, and our Guns opened on them but as they did not elevate
their pieces enough we were exposed to both fires I charged our position quite
often and thereby kept out of range of their Shells though many came very near
to us but lucky for us none were hit at about 5 oc a column of Rebels advanced
on our left and as we were in danger of
being cut off from camp we
fell back, to a cross roads and remained there till the fight was over the next
morning At dark the canonading ceased, and all night It was no very pleasant job
to be around stationing men at different points as often to be abandoned by them
by some appearance of Rebel scirmishers. at day light we got orders to return to
camp but after about ½ of our men had gone in with a Lieut the order was
countermanded and I remained very soon the ball opened and with 7 Rebel
Batteries and ours by then the Shells flew pretty thick and kept up a continual
roar till about 9 oc when after the Ohio pickets abandoned their posts and the
Rebel scirmishers advanced to our rear and fired on us I then had my men fall
back towards Camp to keep from being flanked but in a good line well spread we
had not gone far when the White flag was raised
to my great surprise
and cheer after cheer went up from the rebels. we went into camp and though not
many were killed it was an awful sight to see a few dead who were struck by
shells and lay in the ditch Some of the rebel Batteries continued shelling us
for some time after the flag was raised as they could not see it for smoke. I
never had such feelings come over me as at that time and I could hardly suppress
the tears. I expected to have to go to Richmond after giving up my Side arms and
many threw away their revolvers and swords and many of the boys broke their Guns
over stumps but happy for us the terms of surrender were paroll all and respect
private property. Shortly in came Gen Hill and Staff and met Gen
White and soon the whole Camp was alive with rebel Soldiers and among them Gen
Jackson I saw him twice. before an hour rebel & union soldiers were all
mixed up together and in conversation and telling jokes swaping canteens &c
&c but it was eazy telling them apart as the rebels are the rustyest looking
set I ever saw. Well we remained there till next morning and just before noon
came away I tried to bring a negro who had been cooking for the Co but did not
succeed. I will close now and write again soon. Love to all
Your aff HusVal G. Barney
I have not heard from you for one month.