It's cold at night. Only 2 people in the regiment have died of sickness so far. The men don't like going to the hospital. John Smith is a good-natured fellow, and makes the black people "help him do what there is to do".
Bayou Lafourch
March 5th 1863
My dear Wife
Writing being the only means that I have for communicating with you at present. I use that means freely. I have 3 letters now that I have not put into the mail for you but I will add another to them trusting that it will be a pleasure to you to receive as many as I can write. I presume that you will not receive this letter as quick as some of the others that I have sent because the mail will not leave N. Orleans as soon as it has done sometimes.
My health continues as good as usual. we have quite chilly nights and we find it difficult keeping warm all night as the tents are thin and we are not allowed but I woolen Blanket and one water proof Blanket but I generally throw my overcoat atop the Blankets and manage to keep tolerably comfortable. this morning I was up at 5 o'clock and went out to the camp fire that Co I had and sat until the men were astir. I think I shall be an early riser when I get home as I donot find it hard at all to get up in the morning but harder to stay in bed.
there is no great change taking place in our camp and it may be that we shall see no action in our term of service but we cant be certain as we cannot tell what a day may bring forth. What do the people of Danbury think about the war do they think they will be willing to enlist and help put down the Rebellion. the idea of enlisting to a great many is horrible on account of the danger disease and Battle. we have only lost 2 men out of the Regt. by sickness. that is only 2 have been buried while we have been here. there is constantly quite a number in the hospital but the men dislike to go there so much they will not go unless they are so sick that they cannot stay away. I myself have seen over 2 times that I thought I should be a candidate for the hospital but I have doctored myself and kept out of it. we do not have as much fresh meat as we ought to. it is nearly 4 weeks now since we have had a bit of it and we are obliged to buy eggs at 30 or 35 cents a Doz to get a change of food. every thing that we buy costs us twice as much as it ought to. a good many men in our co have a kind of itch that comes from change of climate and eating salt meat but I myself have not been troubled with it as yet.
tell Mrs. Smith that John haves pretty easy times as there is not much teaming to do and he makes the n#$%^s help him do what there is to do which is all right. John takes everything good natured and lets nothing trouble him. John and myself bunk together.
My dear I must tell you that in the letter that I wrote day before yesterday I told you that I loved you and now I tell you that I do not discover any abatement in that love but I find that I love you dearly as a husband should and long to be with you to comfort and provide you with every blessing that providence will enable me to from your affectionate Husband
J. D. Bishop
