Bishop is bored. He likes letters. He looks forward to leaving the service. Discussion of finances and sending money home. Children make it harder to rent. Bishop writes to his son and daughters, and mentions a ring he sent to the kids.
[Bayou Lafourche, LA]
Monday Morning March 2d 1863
Dear Wife
I received a letter dated Feby 6th yesterday from you and I considered it the best (if possible) of the letters that you have sent to me. My dear that letter was written affectionately as I like to have them and it did my heart good to read it. You cannot think my dear how much difference it makes in the feelings of a soldier far away from home to get letters often. There is monotony about soldiering and anything that tends to change the current of ones thought is a relief. And then to have the letters filled with affection is doubly dear to the soldier because soldiers are in the habit of speaking their minds freely and not as choice as might be. And it is pleasant to think that ones Wife haves charity for the weaknesses of ourselves when our brother soldiers are inclined to think others are not as perfect as themselves. As far as I am concerned I have endeavored to avoid difficulty with my comrades and have succeeded pretty well but cannot always avoid it.
As far as my position is concerned it was a triumph to me to get the position of Chief of the Band but we are now separated and I act as a musician for our Co. although I donot have much to do. The time is drawing nearer when our time will run out and then I shall be a free man again. If the regt. gets together again I act in my office.
Well my dear I will end this letter by telling you that I love you dearly and my earnest prayer is that we may be spared to get together again.
Affectionately J.D. Bishop
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Bayou Lafourche L.A.
March 2d 1863
My dear Wife
I have just received a letter from you dated 16th Feby. I find it to be a good letter and I am happy to get it. I also read Eddies [sic] letter. I will enclose a short letter to Eddie in this.
I found a dollar in this letter. of course you will see that there is no necessity for sending any more money at present as I have sent 40 Dollars about 2 weeks ago and we expect to be paid off again in a few days and then I intend to send you 20 Dollars more. the probability is that we shall not have another payment again until we arrive at N. Haven. unless we get together again as a regiment I donot think that officers will offer to pay me extra so that I donot count on more than 12 dollars a month this time. but if I should go a soldiering again I shall know how to arrange matters so as to make it both profitable and honorable.
My dear how happy it does make me to feel that you truly love me as I wish to be loved I have not always been satisfied that you did love me as I wished but then I did not blame you because I thought that my disposition was such that I was not as agreeable as some others might be. I think myself if I could have had more tenderness for you when we were first married that it would made me more loveable but better late than never.
my dear I am sorry that you find it so difficult to find a good place, I am aware that children are an objection to renting Houses but I am in hopes that you will be able to find one before the I st of April. if you do not, donot move from there until you can find a house to suit you. if Clark Hoyt should put your things outdoors I will give him a blessing. if I come home.
there seems to be no news of any consequence in this department, there is no fighting going on at present unless it is at Vicksburgh and I do not think our folks will get that at present. Capt Jenkins is acting Major and has been for the last month, Major Miller has not been with us since we left N. York. the last we heard from him he was at Nassau after being wrecked in the Bahama Islands. Lieutenant Starr is acting as the commander of Co B while Capt Jenkins acts as Major. he turns out to be just what I thought he would. the men like Capt Jenkins the best.
My dear I would that I could take you in my arms and give you one, 2, 3, 4 or 5 good hugs and as many kisses and you know what that would end in. but you are safe for the present so make the most of your liberty and get fat. my dear Wife I hope that I shall be able to use my privileges as not abusing them if I am spared to get home. I hope my love for you will give me strength of mind to study your comfort as well as my own. you know my dear that I am not as self denying in my particulars when I am home as I might be but I hope you will help me to govern myself.
My dear little Wife rest assured of my unabated love and hope of being with you, as soon as possible.
affectionately
J.D. Bishop
My Son Edward.
I received your letter. it was a very good letter and I am happy to get it from you. you must be a good boy and mind your mother and love her and the other children and you must help your mother in every way that you can so that it will be easy for her to take care of you and your Brother and Sisters
Goodbye my Son for this time and accept of my love and be a good boy.
Your drawing was very good.
from your affectionate Father
J. D. Bishop
to Katie, Josie & Fannie
my little children your father thinks of you often and wishes to see you very much but cannot come home until his time is out. but you must all be good children and mind your dear Mother and that will make your father pleased with you. I have sent you all a ring in other letters and you have probably got them before this.
Goodbye with my Love
from your affectionate Father
J. D. Bishop
