An overall assessment of Banks' camaign and the Vicksburg campaign. Bishop feels little apprehension for his regiment's position in terms of a Confederate attack.
Napoleonville La.
April 27th 1863
My dear
I think I might just as well send you 2 letters as one so. I will at it.
Well the sun comes down with the intensity of an april day in Louisianna and I am perspiring at doing nothing. I have seen the time when I should have considered that a blessed state of existense but now that I have so much time on my hands it troubles me to know what to do to pass it as quick as is desirable.
we have not heard from General Banks’ Army for several days now that is we have heard nothing positive, we think that he is up near the Red River trying to make a junction with Faraguts Fleet, we probably shall have to wait the march of time to find out. since the Battle on the Tech [Bayou Techcj our situation has been safer and we do not feel in any immediate danger from the Rebs. if Banks should be defeated at least they would probably occupy this portion of the country where we are. I think from present indications that we shall get possession of Port Hudson & Vicksburgh both before long, I wish we could so that we could go home by the Mississippi River but I doubt whether the government would send us that way if it was open.
We have had Black Berrys here for about 10 days now. they are very large but not as quite as sweet as our northern ones. the Boys go out and pick them in large quantities and I have eaten of them several times. they go very well as a luxury with our Army Food. I do not think that the people of this country live as well generally as the people of moderate circumstances do in Danbury in fact I have always observed that whereever I have been. you know that I brag on the Danbury Cooking.
Well my darling do you hear from your Father now a day, when you write to him again donot forget to give him my respects and tell him I wish him well. I would write to him but I cannot bear to write to anyone but you. How is mother [?1 I suppose she has returned from Bridgeport before this. I dare say that she thinks that I should write to her oftener than I have done. I think I will write to her perhaps sometime in the month of may. Fannie comes in once in a while to see you it seems, give her my respects. is Elizabeth married yet? if she is going to marry Mr Slater it seems to take quite a while to accomplish it. how is Mary Wildrnan? how does she like the position that the Episcopal Clergyman took at the Election of Seymour. we hear through letters from D [Danbury] that a committee waited on him to know he was going to vote and he told them that he should vote for seymour and use all the influence that he could to get others to vote for him too. I received a N. York Times paper of March 31 date yesterday by the mail. all the papers that I have received have generally been as much as a month old. I think that they are not forwarded with the letters.
Well my little darling Wife I wrote you quite a love letter this morning and I will tell you that I feel in the same mood now. I feel quite as anxious to enjoy your society with the children that my happiness is in looking forward to the time when I can be with you again. I shall never be satisfied until I can give you a good hugging. there is no use in talking it will never do for me to go to war again unless I can take you with me. I think I shall be satisfied to stay home for the rest of my life my darling I think my dear wife if we stand it through 2 months more that we shall be united again and then my dear I will try to be a good Husband to you.
that providence shall spare our lives is the earnest prayer of your loving Husband
J.D. Bishop
