Since Bishop has had charge of the musicians he has been thoroughly occupied with training them. He sympathises with Mr. Northrup whose wife has been ill.
Berwicks Bay
85 miles southwest ofN. Orleans
January 23rd 1863
Dear Sarah
the mail leaves New Orleans on Sunday I understand that I must get a letter in the office of the Regt. tonight if it goes in this mail. I have not much news to write as there has not much taken place since the last letter that I wrote you which was 3 or 4 days ago. since I have had charge of the musicians I have had my time pretty thoroughly occupied with learning the musicians their duty. when they were under the other man they were allowed to do pretty much as they had a mind but the Col. gave me the Power to use my own regulations to govern the Corps with and strict orders for them to comply with them, some of them growl considerably but they have to come to the scratch. I have improved their music a great deal in the last months so that now it is some pleasure to listen to it.
My dear little wife I have read your letters over the second time and I find them affectionate and they give me pleasure. My dear I love you and am glad to think that you love me. I do not have the least desire (for which I thank Providence) for any other woman but you and when my time is ended I hope to be well and able to meet you as all honest men should. I feel sorry for Mr. Northrup on account of his Wife but I suppose he knows all about it but not from my own telling but I donot know that he does. but darling I am glad to hear that you have a good frame on my picture and I am glad that the children likes to look at it and talk about it I hope they will have a chance to see the original next June.
we are right across the river from the secesh that is they have possession although they do not have their soldiers near us but some 8 or 10 miles up the river. we have 4 or 5 Gun Boats here that keeps them at a proper distance from us. but we cannot tell when they may think themselves strong enough to attack us, I hope if they should that we shall lick them. dear Sarah you must not forget to write to me often in that I can get a letter by almost every mail steamer that arrives at N. Orleans. because it does me good to hear from you often you know that I have no one else to love except our children and they are worthy of Love. I am in hopes that we shall all be spared to meet again. I have written to Mother today and I intend to mail her letter at the same time I do yours. so good bye for the present darling and donot forget me and believe me to be your loving Husband
J. D. Bishop
