Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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Some four of five days have passed since I last wrote you and
since that time I have been very busy we are slashing and
working very hard to get our place in a better condition for
defense and every available man is employed every day either
with an axe or spade. I was in hopes that we would be so
situated that I could get our new recruits in a proper state
of dicipline and drill but our prospects are not good and I
presume a month will pass before our hard labor will be
finished and drill instituted Maj Bartlett arrived here to
day with 16 recruits which
makes in all we have
recd about 450. He did not bring me a horse as I had wished
and I feel very much disappointed for just at this time I am
in great need of one as my mare is lame and worn out with
the constant riding she has had for a while past I recd
three letters and two papers from you day before yesterday
The piece in the Boston paper I dont care figs for, for
there is no truth in it. If any one wishes to know the truth
of things on whither the regt done well or not let them
examine the official reports of Col J. Jourdan & Maj
Genl Peck- which I am happy so say I am not ashamed of.
Supper is ready and I will go and partake of my daily egg. I
mean by this that eggs have been our principal dinner for a
time past.
Friday Morning 26thDear Maria
I did not get a chance to finish your letter last eve on account
of the visiting I had to do with Maj. Bartlett- and some
other things fully as important This morning the wind is
blowing very hard and my little tent shakes and rattles
continually and the dust settles on my paper about as fast
as I can blow it off I presume you are not troubled in
Vermont in this way with the dust especially. We have moved
our camp a little and now have it on the east side of the R.
Road. I shall move my tent over there in two or three days,
have got two men at work building me a chimney to set my
tent against you see I am following the old style- building
first the chimney and then building the house around it.
I hear the whistling of the engine so I will
stop and see if we dont get a mail this morning but dont
hardly expect one. It seems the train dont come it has
stopped at Newport village and not be here for an hour.
Well the mail did come and I got a good long letter from you and it was written Feby 18th.
I am glad the Dr. got the horse for it will get here no doubt in a few days as Maj B- left word to have him sent to N.York and come on with his. I dont get much time to write these days but think I will write to Carrie & Father also Uncle R- shortly
Love to All
Your Affectionate
Husband V.G. Barney
I send you a photo of Maj Jarvis