Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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To day is the Sabbath but it does not seem much like a Sabbath used to when I was
at home and stayed with the children while you attended Church and when you came
home and found things strewn around generally and thought I was a poor house
keeper and felt inclined to scold a little of my indiference to it This does not
seem like those old and pleasant times but I cant say that I am situated here
very unpleasantly for considering that I am away from home and those I hold most dear I dont know as I could be more content or
surrounded with more pleasant associations. This is one of the pleasantest days
I ever saw and the warm sun gives us a new vigor and life and it seems like a
day in June used to in Vermont. I am “officer of the day” to day for the whole
camp and have just got in from making my rounds and that was no small job as I
have to travel about 7 miles in order to visit
every point where our
guards are posted I would have to have done it on foot but our Quartermaster was
kind enough to let me take his horse so I had a horse back ride for the first
time in a great while but when I make my rounds this eve I shall do it on foot
as it makes me so lame to ride, but I can do it and not feel awful tired as my
health is good and I can stand most any thing. We have rumors of fighting at
Suffolk and that our forces are getting badly beaten. I dont know the truth of
it yet. Hawkins Zouaves were ordered there yesterday and the report is that Col
Kimball got killed in the fight. I cant vouch for this but these are the rumors
we get here and we hear heavy canonading occasionally. Col Kimball is a
Vermonter and able officer. I received three letters from you yesterday which
were brought from Chicago and I hope to get one from Washington in a day or two
as we have written there for our mail to be sent on here and I presume you have
written and directed there some of your late letters. I also got one from
Father. As regards my feelings by the late promotions in our reg. I
am perfectly satisfied and feel that I am not a [curse] to the
service but hope I am of some benefit and shall continue to think so even if
others of more influence can carry their points to my disadvantage I have no
idea of resigning yet and hope I may be able to go through this campaign without
being obliged to, but as consolidation of regts has commenced I would not wonder
if our was consolidated and half of the officers thrown out or resign before
hand I dont know but I would be one of the unfortunate ones but I will be thrown
out before I would resign as I consider it more honorable. I dont think we can
muster over 500 men in our regt. and if we fall short of that we will be
consolidated no doubt. I will write no more now as my duties call me away but
will finish in the morning before the mail goes out. Monday P.M. I did not get
around to finish my letter this forenoon as I intended as we had muster rolls to
make out to be ready for this afternoon.
so having that and my
monthly returns to make out my time has been pretty well occupied since I was
relieved at guard mounting I am very lame to day for having rode so much
yesterday on horse back I think I rode about 25 miles in making my rounds 3
times and posting pickets, out on Fox hill and not being used to riding it
almost used me up but I can eat my allowance just as well. but the trouble here
is to get enough to eat and of the right quality – to night I made out my supper
on Bread & Molasses and a little rancid Butter but this goes well and I
enjoy my meals well Mr. Jewett is yet at the Hospital but is quite smart and
intends to come here to camp tomorrow and remain here Lieut Livingston &
Vaughn of Co “I” are now messing with us and we have some very pleasant table
conversations I wish you could just step in and visit with us some of these noon
times and partake of some of our rich dishes but I will not invite you now as I
presume you would refuse my invitation but wait till I can step in and visit
with you which time I hope is not very far distant
I have not yet
sent my trunk to you as I have had no chance to buy a valise yet and I dont know
when it will be so I can. but as soon as I can get one I shall send the trunk
for I dont suppose I will be allowed to carry it this summer when we come to
move. I am glad to hear that mother is improving and hope she may entirely
recover I think Emma will be of servise to her and probably a relief to Louise.
How is Lester I dont hear a word from him and how does Hattie get along – We
will probably get paid 4 mos pay pretty soon now at any rate I hear news to that
efect I hope so for you need money and I know I do. We dont get any more news
from Suffolk but here heavy firing quite often in that direction I am afraid we
are not strong enough for the enemy there but hope so I hope to get a letter
from you soon and do doubt will and I would not be surprised to hear you were
about starting for Danby how I wish I could be there to visit with you. Kiss Ped
& Cad and tell them Pa thinks of them every night and the last thing before
sleep, and hopes they will be good. Accept a kiss and a hearty good night.
V.G.Barney
I have just learned that I B Bowditch was drowned by the cars running in to a
creek over near Suffolk. We have a report here that Charleston is taken. I
send you two Photos
All well
affly V.G.B