Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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This is the first day of the new year and I wish it may be a happy one to you
and not only this one but that every day in the year and through your life it
may continue the same this year comes upon us with rather gloomy prospects and
when I think of how things are gong I am almost discouraged but hope comes to my
relief and I think perhaps all is nothing for the best and that before this year
shall close the war will be finished I hope it may be so Oh wont it be a happy
time when the great armies can return to their peaceful and quiet homes and once
more enjoy the society of their families and friends we can think how good it
will seem to us and then imagine thousands who are situated in like
circumstances it seems that things will change ere long and that soon some way
will be opened by which peace will be restored to our now distracted country (
God grant it)
To day has been very dull to me our court marshall
adjourned over to day so I have had nothing to do Sherman has gone away to spend
the eve and Jewett is out visiting some of our brothers officers and I am alone
in my room with the candle beaming dimly before me and as it is raining quite
hard out, it is a very lonely time but as I am employed in the greatest pleasure
I have the hours will not seem so long to me this eve Could I but step in to our
little kitchen for a moment and give you a kiss and Carrie a scotch kiss &
Fred a shake how much good it would do me but I must look to the future for such
times. I received the box you sent day before yesterday and found every thing
all right the Boots just right the pillow just right and the collar just what
what I wanted I think it a very nice present and it will keep my neck warm and
comfortable I guess you will have to consider the album I am about to send you
your Christmas present but I cant tell when it will go for I am afraid Sartwell
and Mugs will have hard work to get their Furloughs approved.
but if
they should not go I will send it by mail soon and I hope to have some pictures
in it when it goes as the officers intend to exchange all through the line I
went down town yesterday and saw the Express man and showed him the Affidavit
Father sent me he said that was all right as far as the amount was concerned for
that he wanted to see the envelope so I am now waiting for that and hope that as
soon as it arrives to get my money without any further trouble. The $10- you
spoke of being credited to me on J. P. Jewetts Books is all right as I paid it
to him while in the store. he came in one day with the amount due on a slip of
paper I could not pay him then but a day or two after I handed him $10- and
remember of telling him not to forget to credit it and if he looks on A.B.J.s
Books he will find it charged to me the same date, it had sliped my mind till
you spoke of it in your letter I then remembered it very clearly. I was much
pleased yesterday to receive a call from E.B. Rounds of Swanton Centre he is on
his way to Wisconsin he brought
along with him his nephew who is a
man of considerable standing here in the City and runs a large Job printing
office I saw him again to day and he very cordially invited me to call and see
him and take dinner some day this week I of course will accept. I got a letter
from silas this morning and he seems to be enjoying himself finley I also heard
from Elisha and was glad to know he was safe- did you pay Martha that $10- if
not you had better if your money holds out but if you have not enough for your
own use let it go till I am paid again I think it will not be long. I wrote to
Mercie yesterday and hope we shall keep up a correspondence for letters here are
valuable. I must acknowledge the receipt of the children’s letters and hope they
will continue to write and I must write to them. If you can get their
Photographs taken do it and send them to me and I will get them painted and
framed they will be so nice. Kiss them both and accept my warmest affections to
yourself and continue to write as you have
Yours AffectionatelyV.B. Barney
Capt Co A 9th Vt