The flat terrain and a dislike of the geography of Louisiana is expressed. Bishop reports of fighting at Port Hudson but he expects that the Confederates will defeat them as he feels they generally do. While they hear that they will be expected to serve until August 14, Bishop reports that many swear that they will not do any duty after the 30th of June. Bishop pledges his fidelity to Sarah.
Bayou Lafourch, La.
March 17th 1863
My dear Wife
This is a beautiful sunny morning as they tell about in this sunny south. I presume that we see the worst portion of the south in the state of Louisianna as the face of the country is one entire level. how I should like to see a hill or a mountain. we have not seen one since we left N. York. it is said that this part of Louisianna is nothing but a deposite produced by the Mississippi River. the whole state is nothing but swamps and all the dry land is nothing but drained swamps.
there has been fighting going on for some days at port Hudson up the Mississiippi river but how they have made out I have not yet heard but I expect that the Rebs will beat us as they generally do. I hope for the honor of the union cause that it may not prove so.
I have been pitching Quoits this morning and find it very good exercise. I dont think that I have sufficient exercise to keep me in good health now that the Regt. is not together and I find it very hard to content myself always but we look ahead to the end of our period of enlistment as the mariner looks to the beacon light on the rock bound shore.
my dear little wife I hope that we may be able to start for home in the month of June but we hear various rumours about the time that the government intends to keep us. we consider that our time is surely out by the 30th of June but the Authorities of Connecticut are to claim that our time is not out until the 14th of August. if they should attempt to keep us until the last mentioned time I think there will be a demonstration the boys many of them swear that they will not do any duty after the 30th of June.
My. [sic] Wyant arrived here night before last. the boys were all glad to see him and made enquiries concerning Danbury. I suppose the people of D feel as much interest in our time as we do ourselves. time will tell the story.
my dear Wife I am sitting out under the shade of the trees writing to you. to day is not as hot as it was yesterday. the weather for 2 or 3 days as been oppressively hot but to day seems cooler. there has no mail arrived at N. Orleans for a week or more but one is expected now everyday. well my dear I sent you 3 or 4 large letters by the last mail and I tried to make them as loving as possible and I assure you the expressions I used were sincere my dear little wife I love you more & more every day if that were possible. I am thankful that I possess you darling so that I can have something to fix my affections firmly on and I hope you will never let a doubt of my sincerity or fidelity take possession of your imagination. I take pleasure in guarding myself against dissipation and immorality on your account and also because I think it would be wrong. you know my dear that I think that the lord knows every secret action and desire and that he will punish them unless respected of. I can only say my darling that my great desire is to be with you again and to enfold you in my arms and to care for you to the best of my ability. I hope of Providence if should allow us to get safe home that the means will be furnished for us to live in a comfortable manner of that there will be time enough to think about after I get home. but you will I hope always consider that I love you & feel it hard to be separated from you.
from your affectionate husband J. D. Bishop
