Difficult to get a furlough to go home, a lot of singing and yelling at camp when not doing drills, talked about a new Arch the Bridgeport company put up that afternoon, and has few hobbies to fill his time at night.
Camp Terry New Haven [CT] October 17th 1862
Dear Wife,
It is evening and I do not know what to do with myself so I will occupy my time in writing to you.
I find the evenings hanging heavy on my hands. When I come to sit down in the evening with nothing to read it seems lonesome enough. Then I think of home. Soldiering is pleasant enough if you wear shoulder straps but if you are only a private it is not very enticing. Through the day we manage to keep interested in the scenes that are transpiring around us. Tonight we have had a good deal of chinning over a new Arch that the Bridgeport company have put up this afternoon. It is quite a sight to see the regiment all out in Batallion Drill and review as we have had for the last 3 days. John Smith will tell you how difficult it is for any of us to get a furlough to go home but I am in hopes that by the latter part of next week that I shall be able to get one.
The noise of singing and yelling from the tent next to mine comes to my ears as I sit writing to you. Some of the Soldiers enjoy themselves by singing some by yelling &c &c. I must try [to] get a supply of reading material some how so that my evenings will be more occupied. You know that I like to read a good story. We have a chapel with some reading material for the regiment but there is not enough to supply all and probably the Books do not get returned as they should.
Probably you are getting the children to Bed about this time I wish I could be home and see them tell Eddie and the rest of the children that their Father thinks of them every day and wishes them to be good children and when I come home I will give them all a penny. Give the Children all my Love and take a good share for yourself.
From your Husband
J. D. Bishop
you will get before Monday if I donot get an opportunity to send this privately I do not think.
