Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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I am still here but feeling much better and as my appetite begins to increase I
presume I will be strong in a few days and able to join our regt. I got a letter
from Lt. Jewett to day and one enclosed from you which was written the 17th the
Reg. is still at Yorktown but they intend to advance in a few days. It seems
that Martha is still with Elsiha but probably ere this she has left for home. it
seems he (E) is troubled as I have been well it is a very disagreeable complaint
and sometimes is
very hard to cure in this climate I think I am
entirely rid of it and shall be very carefull in future as to my diet. I am now
taking port wine for my apetite and you know it is not a very unpleasant
medicine for me but I have to drink it as the Doctor prescribes it. all the
trouble there is he dont prescribe it enough. I forgot in my last letter to
state to you that I had sent my trunk. it contains nothing of any account but I
thought it worth sending home for I could not have kept it here. The Blanket and
Dress coat belong to Sartwell The old things I sent I thought you might work up
for something I might have sent more but I did not think of it till a few
minutes before I sent it.
I also sent a box of clothing to Father
such as the boys did not choose to carry around with them during warm weather so
sent it to him for safe keeping I have bought me a satchel and intend to make it
do me for in fact I am obliged to. I am now sitting at my window and from it I
have a splendid view of the “Hampton roads” and of the Fort and all the shipping
about it but every thing seems dull and the boats all laying at anchor. There is
a continual breeze here and the air seems so much different from what it did at
Suffolk. I am glad we are out of that hole and hope to never go there again.
Since I came here quite a number of officers have come (all sick) and two occupy
the room
with me they are both 1st Lieuts from a Michigan Regt. and
fine fellows They tell me that the mail goes out in 15 minutes so I will have to
enclose my key and close the letter so good bye.
Your Aff Husband V. G. Barney
Capt Co A. 9th Vt