Biship leaves Ship Island the previous day for New Orleans by way of Fort St. Philip for a health examination. He briefly describes the warm weather, planter and cabins for enslaved persons of the area. He arrives at Camp Parapet 10 miles north of New Orleans near Carlston. He has not received communication from Sarah since leaving New York. Amos [Bishop] is mentioned.
Mississippi River
on board of Propeller Pocahontas
bound for N. Orleans
December 26th 1862
Dear Wife
We left Ship Island yesterday morning at 6 o'clock for N. Orleans we had a very rough time of it to me although the day was very pleasant and warm. I cannot get used to the motion of a vessel when it is rough and it seems as if I cannot stand it but I bore all day yesterday but I could not start for N. York willingly in that vessel if I could have the rest of my time given to me. we were stopped by the fort, Fort St. Philip about 12 o'clock last night to have a health examination before reaching N. 0. we anchored until the morning and then proceeded on our Journey.
we passed a little while ago 2 orange groves. the trees were loaded with oranges looking yellow and tempting in the sun. we are now opposite a collection of houses that looks like a Planters residence with the negro houses around it. today is bright and beautiful, the sun is shining as hot as it does in june with us at home. the nights in this climate are accompanied with a heavy dew that chills and wets ones through when exposed to it.
when we shall hear from you is more than we know as we think that the mails have not been allowed to go North yet but I am in hopes that they have been forwarded so that you can be relieved of the anxiety you must naturally feel for us.
My dear Wife time passes and our 9 months will end some time I hope. we hear various rumours as to the success of the federal arms and as to the probable length of time that it will take to subdue the rebels. a great many of our folks think that the war will soon be ended but I think that it will take some time yet. I wrote in one of my letters that 3 of our companies had been put on another vessel before we left N. York harbor. we have not heard anything from them since. Co Band Co F were left on Ship Island when the Regiment left for N. Orleans 2 weeks ago. yesterday was Christmas day and we spent the day and part of the night before in making the passage and preparations for it to N. 0.
as we sail up the river we see some pleasant and homelike places. The first that we have seen on southern soil. Some have their Negroes with them and some donot seem to have them.
My dearest Wife if at the end of my term of service I am enabled to reach home with health and find my family well I shall be contented to stay I think. I suppose that you received the 10 dollars that is payed monthly on the 1st of Dec. whether you will receive it on the 1st of Jan is a little doubtful I hope you will. we have received no pay from the Government yet and probably shall not until we have been in the service 6 months, when we do it is my intention to remit a part of it to you. Most of the boys are out of money and have to beg tobacco to smoke and chew. I have not got out of money yet but I have not enough to last me a great while.
[Camp Parapet, LA] Saturday Dec 27th 1862
Dearest Wife
I am writing from Camp Parapet 10 miles north ofN. Orleans on the Mississippi river. we arrived at N. Orleans last night about 5 o'clock and we received orders to proceed up to where the rest of our regiment were stationed. we left N. Orleans in the evening and steamed up to Carlston and stopped all night. this morning we arrived at our place of destination. we found our regiment at this place with the exception of 3 companies that were taken off our boat at N. York. we have not heard a word from them and we feel quite anxious about them.
I did not see much ofN. Orleans as we were not allowed to go ashore at all where we are stationed is a fort that was taken from the secessionists by Gen Butlers expedition since that time it has remained in our possession. we are now in the heart of secession and are regularly in war. Our Boys are obliged to do duty in standing guard more than ever. I find a great variety of opinion as to the sucess of our expedition I myself cannot make up my mind until I can have more time for observations."
"[Camp Parapet, LA] Sabbath day Dec 28 1862
Dear Wife
today is sabbath day and the boys are washing up generally and darning their clean clothes. it is 2 ½ weeks since we had a general wash and change of clothing.
I see by a paper that I bought from a N. Orleans Boy that the northern press think that we went to North Carolina, but we are down in the Mississippi Valley in the heart of Rebeldom and 20 miles from the secess Pickets.
My dear Wife it is just 4 weeks today since I went on board of the CheKiang in N. York harbor and I have not heard a word from home since. My dear little Wife I long to hear from you and the children. I suppose you have had some anxiety as to our safety and destination. but my dear a kind Providence preserved our lives up to this time and we hope will continue to do so. we all of us feel anxious to see our homes and Families again. our time is almost½ out at least will be in 2 or 3 weeks. we are in hopes if we live to be home by the 1st of July 1863. We hope to be able to spend the 4th of nextjuly at home in old Danbury.
My dear I have not written you a very regular letter but such as suggested itself to my mind. My dear Wife I would that I could be with you to have a good talk with you and my dear you know of course that I should like to take you in my arms and have a good old fashioned courting time. My dear little darling I can do nothing but write to you of love and that is but a poor way of expressing the affection that yearns for its object but my dear I hope for the best. time passes slowly but surely. I am but a poor historian or I could write to you of the incidents that take place daily.
you ought to address your letters to me to Joseph D. Bishop Co B. 23 Regt. C.V. Banks Expedition. until we get regularly settled in some permanent place.
My health has been generally good while I have been on land but the sea is more that I can endure with any sort of pleasure. the mail does not go until tuesday. I want to have you send me a weekly N. York times once in a while as the N. Orleans papers do not contain as much news as the N. York papers.
well deary write to me of your feelings and of the children and how you get along with Eddie. I hope he does not grow any worse. My dear my heart goes out toward you and I wish I could be with you to tell you that I think of you with affection and appreciate you I hope this letter will find you and the children in good health and spirits. Give my respects to Amos and all the Family that make any enquiries after me and believe me to be your affectionate Husband
J. D. Bishop
