Bishop talks about his health and various movements of the troops. They have various musical instruments. Bishop dreamed of Sarah and an Aged Relative.
Napoleonville, La.
April 22nd 1863
My Dear Wife
having plenty of time to write and feeling in the Humor I will commence operations. for the last 2 or 3 weeks I have had some difficulty with my Bowels, for 2 or 3 days I seem to be constipated and then for 2 or 3 days my Bowles will be loose with considerable pain. I donot know whether it proceeds from the effects of the climate or whether it is from the sameness of food or want of exercise. I think that it is the climate but I am in hopes that it will not grow any worse. there has been a series of fights upon the Tech [Bayou Teche].
the last that we heard of the army with Banks they had got as far as Oppelousas, that is the town where the Rail Road commences that furnishes the Rebs with Transportation for Troops & material of war. Our folks expect to be able to cut off the communication between Texas & Vicksburgh & Port Hudson. we are afraid that the Rebs will get reinforcements so that they will be too strong for Gen. Banks’ Army but as far as we have heard from Banks they are pushing everything before them I expect they intend to push right on to Port Hudson & Vicksburgh.
I should think we would succeed if we had men enough but I am afraid we have not got them in this department. as far as we have news of the attack on Charleston it has not succeeded but it may yet. I am sure I hope that our folks will succeed in whipping the Rebels since I have been in this place I have seen enough to convince me that Ihey are an ambitious aristocratic set that think that they are a little the greatest and the most courageous people in the world and I begin to think that nothing but a thorough thrashing will cure them.
it is amusing to hear the people talk about the fight that has been going on in the Tech [Bayou Teche] country. some of them said that it would be an improbability to pass certain fortifications that they had but our folks did not find it impossible. and after they had evidently got above the Fortifications (we could hear the firing of cannon here) they thought it was not possible since it has been established beyond doubt that they were whipped they have not been as communicative.
we have to study up different ways of amusing ourselves, we have got a Violin, Banjo and Tambourine with Bones &c I play the violin John Raymond the Banjo Shorts smith plays the Tambourine Ed Kine the Bones, we have what we call the Animals Chorus, we commence by playing soft for a litle while and then increse the strength of tone and the different animals such as Lions, Tigers &c accompany the music. I have no doubt you would think it was highly scientificks if you could hear us.
Well my dear wife I have not forgotten you although it is some week or more since I have heard from you I still turn my thoughts homeward and think of the loved ones there. my darling I note the passing time as it glides along and hope that it brings me nearer to you and the children. last night I dreampt that I was with you and that I was visiting an aged Relative. I think I feel better this morning for the visit, my dear wife I long to be home with you to enjoy the comforts of home and the society of yourself and the children, hoping that I shall be pcrmitted to join you is my constant thought.
kiss the children for me and believe me when I tell you that I wish that I could kiss you
from your loving husband
J.D. Bishop
