The 23rd arrive in camp in Long Island via steamboat at Williamsburg. Discussion of furloughs. https://www.arrts-arrchives.com/UCRT,TCRT2.html. Camp Buckingham was apparently south of the junction of Liberty Street and Jamaica Avenue in Brooklyn.
Camp Buckingham
Jamaica Long Island [NY]
November 18th 1862
Dear Wife
We arrived at this camp about 12 o'clock yesterday (monday) morning through the rain by marching 8 miles. We left New Haven on Sunday about 5 o'clock P.M. and arrived at Williams burgh by steamboat about 6 o'clock in the morning where we had hot coffee and meat served out to us and then we commenced our first march of any length. I have just spoken to the captain about the probable length of time that we shall probably be here 2 or 3 weeks and he thinks I shall be able to get a furlough to come up and and [sic] see you before we sail. I do not think there is much doubt but what our destination is Texas. My dear wife I dread the Sea voyage more than anything else but I have hope I shall pass safely through it. I intended to have you come down to N. York and bring the Baby if I could not get a furlough to go to Danbury but I will wait a little and see what the orders are. When you write to me you must address to me Camp Bukingham Centreville Course, Jamaica, L. I. Co B. 23 Reg.
My dear Wife I hope you will write to me as often as you can conveniently so that I can hear from home. I hope that little Fannie will not be sick. You intimated in your last that she was not very well. Give my love to the children and to Mother. You ought to have seen us pitching our tents after we got here right in the mud with nothing but straw on the ground but that we probably shall not have after we get to Dixie. None of us caught cold that I know of although we had to get up in the night and make a fire in the stove to enable us to keep warm as our over coats were all wet through so that we could not put them over us. Our campaign has commenced
rough but I hope it will end smooth. My dear Wife I should be very glad if this thing could be settled so that we could all of us return home with honor. I donot think they can hold us after 9 months from the 29th of September as our captain says he will stand by us in our endeavor to get our rights. There is about 70 thousand men going on this expedition so they say there is only 3 Regiments on the race course as yet but they expect more right away. So you see that they expect to put us to work when we get started. My little darling there is a good deal transpiring that makes us laugh and a good deal that makes us almost swear softly if we do not loud. Well Sarah you must write me and I hope to be able to meet you before we leave N. York love and believe me to be your affectionate Husband
Jos D. Bishop
I sent you 30 dollars by Mrs. Lowood
