Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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I will again try and write you a few lines though I have heard nothing from you
for some time but I am living in hopes of getting a letter from you soon and it
seems as though as we are now situated that we might get letters through pretty
regular. and as I now have but little to do I can write as often as I wish. To
day is Sunday and it has been very pleasant but pretty cold, and the mud is
drying up fast around our Qrs. which makes it more pleasant for us And as I have
been to day issueing clothing to the men
they feel in good Spirits
while I feel pretty tired. it seems that though we are here in Ill. that we must
occupy the Sabbath with issuing clothing &c. &c. just as much as though
we wee in front of the Enemy and no other time to do it in. some how Sunday has
been a busy day to us all through. Three weeks ago to day we were fighting at
Harpers Ferry. Two weeks ago we were on the march to Annapolis and one week ago
we arrived here after riding some 300 miles on the Cars, and I till it will seem
good when I can once more experience an old fassion Sunday with my little family
at home, I got permission yesterday to go down to the City for a couple of hours
for
the first time but as my time was limited I could not see much
of the City I saw quite a number of floors of our Swanton marble which looked
like an old friend and brought the days of the past very forsibly to my mind I
also visited the yard of the Chicago Marble Co, and there saw quite a lot of our
marble and some of the Chas Bullard Blockatilla [brocatello]
marble which they were working up into Table tops. from what I saw of Chicago I
think it a very smart Business place. And when my Lieuts get along I will get
more chance to look it over. by a young man just from Winchester I learn that
they are nearly well and have been parolled and will come on in a few days. I
have seen but one man since we came here who I was
acquainted with
and that was a Mr. Stebbins who used to keep school at Swanton. There are a
great many Vermonters here evry day looking up friends and some for 50 miles
distant but somehow or other my acquaintances did not happen to settle near
here. I think very often of you more so than heretofore as my time is no so much
occupied and I have more time to think of something else besides drill &
other military duties than before I would like much to see you and the little
darlings under your care who call you ma. And I hope the time will not be long
before I shall. You need have no fear as to my habits for I am now trying to
live better than I ever have before And I hope to never give you pain by any act
contrary to your desires and that we may yet live a long and happy life together
is my greatest wish.
Truly your Husband Val G Barney