More debate over the term of his enlistment, pay and the letter from someone in the regiment saying that the 23rd had done nothing. Bishop expresses interest in Sarah's teeth and remembers to her when he first saw her.
Napoleonville
April 26th 1863
dear Wife
I have just received two letters from you, one of the 25 of March and one of the 12th of April. both of them are very satisfactory. I am glad to hear that you all continue in good health except Josie and I am in hopes he will get over the mumps all right.
after the arrival of every mail we generally have our discussion as to the time of our discharge. some one generally receives something in his letter that gives the opinion of some on in Connecticut and that sets us all a going. some have it that we will not get home until august and some swear that they will not do any duty after the 3oth day of June. for my part I have all the time thought that we should start for home in June and I shall not give it up until the time has gone by and I find myself mistaken.
Well my little darling I suppose you have received my letter mentioned that I wish you to get your teeth fixed and perhaps you have had something done to them by this time, what it will cost I donot know but I hope not so much as to prevent it. you see my dear little Wife that I want to have you look as well as you can and then I suppose that you want to have them fixed yourself so that when you smile that you can show a good set of teeth and I think it will be an improvement.
one of the Boys is told in one of his letters from Danbury that the 23” regt have not done anything but find fault and that they have never done any fighting. I hope some of the talking people will go and try soldiering for a while and see what it is even if they do not go into a fight I am glad myself to be able to keep out myself I have no craving for that kind of excitement myself neither have I a disposition to risk my life just to satisfy a morbid desire for the recital of the Bloody Battle field.
we do not get our second payments yet, there is about 4 months due now. I have understood that musicians received 13 dollars a month (the same as privates) if so it will make a little difference enough to get a new Bonnet or a new Dress my dear Wife you must get you a nice little pair of Gaiter Boots. I remember well when I first knew you in Birmingham that I admired your little foot and Ancle so you see that I still have an eye for the beauties of Nature and of art also where it is used to beautify nature, my little darling I think as much of you as ever and take as much pleasure in receiving letters from you as ever and look for the affectionate expressions that they contain and those parts are the most pleasing to me. whereever I discover evidence of your love I am the better satisfied.
You know my dear where we cannnot possess the original we are glad to get as near to it as possible. my darling wife I like to read your accounts of home and the children, everything that transpires at home is precious to me as that is the Haven of rest that I look forward to. my dear wife all my pictures of happiness are connected with you and the dear children. I am pleased to think that they donot forget me at all, Eddie I suppose grows still. I expect they will all of them look larger than they did when I left home. I feel sorry that you have to stay alone so much my little darling and I hope it will not be long before I shall be home to stay with you. my dear you speak of making the front room our bedroom do so my darling I should like to be home to occupy it with you now my dear you will not think that I am too selfish in wishing it will you my darling you tell me to be patient my dear and will take your advice and try to be happy without your society until I can get home to enjoy it.
that you may enjoy good health and enjoy yourself with the children and be spared from all trouble is the earnest prayer of your devoted Husband
J.D. Bishop
