Still at Camp Parapet, Bishop tells of a 3 month armistice and believes that the Union will not win by fighting and that he hope that the ranks are filled with abolitionists. He has been acting as drum teacher and been given charge of the drum choir by colonel because no other man had the ability; as a consequence he does not have to stand any guard. He asks Sarah for weekly newspapers. He mentions blaming northern abolitionists for bringing on the war but will not desert his government.
Camp Parapet [LA]
January 4th 1863
Dear Wife
My dear little Wife I wrote you last week but I feel just as if I should like to write more today although there is not much news to write about.
our anxiety principally too far from the north to hear news that there has been an armistice of 3 months granted to see if we cannot come to an understanding. we feel generally that we shall not gain our point by fighting and that it is useless to waste any more lives. I hope if there is any more men to be raised at the north that the abolitionists will be the ones that will have to take hold and have what is as is.
I have been acting for several days now as drum teacher. the colonel has given the drum choir into my hands to teach them because the other man had no ability that way. I am in hopes he will make me drum major but I cannot tell.
dearest Sarah I long to be with you to tell you that I love you and take care of you and the children, it seems to me now my dear just as if I could settle myself down and be contented with you and the children indeed my principal desire is to have the time roll around so as to bring us home with our families to pursue the paths of peace and industry. it is true that I have an easy time of it as my duties are not half as arduous as a privates. I do not have to stand any guard nor do any call duty without I am a mind to in consequence of my teaching the drummers.
do send me some weekly newspapers as late as possible I wish you would write as often as once a week at least whether you receive a letter from me or not, direct your letters to me General Banks Command Co B. 23 Regiment. My dear I enjoy myself quite as well as I anticipated. I am not as eager for the prosecution of the war as I was before I enlisted because I am satisfied that the northern abolitionists had a great deal to do in bringing on the war and that they will not be contented until they have tried to their hearts content to free the slaves. but my dear I do not think they will accomplish it now. I donot wish you to think that I would prove recreant to my government because I would not. I would try to fulfill my duty.
we expect a mail this morning. I am in hopes I shall find a letter from you among them.
