Bishop didn't get any mail, but most everyone else got 3 or 4 letters. John Smith didn't get a letter. There are preparations for a battle near Berwick Bay. The coming care package is mentioned in a newspaper that came in the mail. The next day, Bishop writes about plantation owners forcing enslaved people back to work on the plantations. Bishop thinks emancipation is a failure.
Bayou Lafourch [LA]
February 23rd 1863
Dear Wife
The Mail has arrived this afternoon and I have not had a letter or paper by it neither did I have a letter by last weeks mail I do not know what to make of it the boys of the Co. most of them have 3 or 4 letters and papers and I do not get any. I suppose you must write once in a while or at least I should suppose you would if I donot get any letter by the next mail I shall think that you donot write.
My health is about the same as usual and that is variable.
there are preparations going on for another fight up at Berwick Bay or up the river 8 or 10 miles I presume we shall not participate in it.
James Hagan received 3 or 4 letters and several Newspapers I get some news from the Boys that get papers and letters. We see by the Danbury papers that there has been a Box of things sent to us from our friends at home I see my name is mentioned among the rest.
There is not much news in camp the Boys are anxious to have their time expire. John Smith did not get any letter by this mail, he is well, I thought I would not write again until I received a letter but I suppose you must have written and the letter must have miscarried. I will write another letter when I receive a letter myself.
From your affectionate husband J.D. Bishop
Give my love to the children J.D.B.
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Tuesday morning
February 24th 1863
Dear Wife
I wrote the other side of this sheet yesterday afternoon when I felt disappointed because I did not receive a letter and I thought perhaps that you did not write as often as you ought but on reflection I think it would be unjust to you to send the letter without any affectionate terms in it because I think you must have written and the letters have not arrived. my dear Wife I have got over my fit and I am satisfied that I should do you injustice to think that you did not write as often as you ought to.
My dear the Company has been in an uproar this morning on account of the Planters of the neighborhood trying to force back their Negroes on the Plantations to work for their masters. the Emancipation of the Negroes proves to be a failure in the practical working of the law. the government has not got the work for the negroes to do and they are obliged to persuade the negroes to go back to their masters. there is a rumour that we are one of the Regts. that is going up to Berwick Bay to fight but we have received no such order as yet.
My dear Wife do not take to heart what I say in the first part of this letter but try to write often enough so that I can receive a letter by every mail if possible. now my dear I will draw this letter to a close an remember that I love you and long to hear from you and feel anxious about you and the children
Goodbye my dear for this time and believe me to be your loving Husband
J.D. Bishop
Added for context, a clipping from the Danbury News from "Mallory" in the 23rd CT, likely William P. Mallory of Co. B.
