The 23rd has marched to Napoleonville to the north. He describes a house used by the 176 New York for hospital that is the finest house he's seen in Louisiana and iconic of one's impression of a plantation house.
Napoleonville, La
22 miles north East of Lafourche
Crossing and 18 miles West of Donaldsonville La. on the Bayou Lafourche
April 6th 1863
My Dear Wife
I write to inform you that we moved from Lafourche Crossing yesterday to this place, Napoleonville, the order came night before last from Gen. Weitzel that he had ordered the Cavalry that was stationed here to join him at Brashear and that our Col. must send a Co. up here to take their place. So our Col. ordered our Co. to be ready to march at 5 o'clock the next morning. we did not get started from Lafourche yesterday morning until½ past 6 o'clock in the morning. we marched all day until 6 at night. we stopped to rest once in a while of course. but we marched 22 miles in about 7 hours. we consider it fast marching very quick. this morning the Cavalry Co. left. this place is considered a more dangerous position as there is nothing between us and the Rebels but swamps and a Lake. Whether they will attack us remains to be seen. this morning we are very weary and foot sore but we can lie down and rest ourselves. I stood the march as well as any of them did and kept ahead of many of them. this morning the bottoms of my feet are very sore but I think they will soon get well. how long we shall remain at this place we do not know but I am so that I can I shall inform you immediately of any changes. we like this place better than we did Lafourche. we are quartered in a large Hotel.
there is no change in army news since I wrote to you last. there seems to be a prospect of a Battle in the country west of Brashear between Texas and the Red River. our folks are trying to cut off their supplies from Texas. I donot myself pretend to judge of whether they will do it or not. because military matters are very uncertain I was down to one of the deserted plantation Houses that is used by the 176 New York Regt. as a Hospital. I think that is the most magnificent place that I have seen in this state. this House that I am speaking of is at Lafourche. the House itself corresponds with the description that I have read of southern plantation Houses. the Grounds around it were laid out in beautiful taste although they have been injured by the soldiers. I will send you an orange leaf and some Rose leaves that I picked on purpose to send to you. they are all wilted of course but I think they will retain some of their perfume. I have not had time to look around this place any yet. last night I slept out in the air without any covering but my Blanket but I was so tired that I could sleep any where. well my darling I must have a little space to tell you that I still love you as fondly as ever and I think of you as constantly as ever and always with pleasure. who is there like the wife of ones bosom to be his true friend. I think I shall try to study your happiness more when I come home than I used to but maybe that I shall be as stubborn as ever. well my dear, dear Wife I long to clasp you to my breast as I once did in times gone by. hoping that providence will permit me to kiss you again I remain your affectionate Husband
J.D. Bishop
