Bishop wishes Sarah's father well and enquires of the rest of the family. He implies that he doesn't often write his mother. A discussion of blackberries.
Napoleonville La.
April 28th 1863
My dear Wife
the mail leaves here tomorrow morning for N. Orleans and I must write some more to you. this morning is quite cool and pleasant.
we heard firing yesterday in the direction of Banks Forces. last night we heard a rumour among the citizens that Banks had been driven Back to Franklin, that is about opposite this place on the other side of the lake, we think that there is no truth in the rumour but think that there is fighting going on with Bank’s forces, we think the Battles that have been lately fought on the Tech [Bayou Teche] will have a great influence on the war, we think that Vicksburgh and Port Hudson will fall in consequences.
the Boys of Co B generally keep pretty well. once in a while some one gets sick but we have lost no one but Ed. Comstock. we felt the loss of him very sensibly it was so sudden. it must have shocked his wife dreadfully. one of the men said that his wife was talking with Mrs. Comstock but 2 or 3 days before they received the news of his death and she was remarking that she thought that it would do Edward good to go as she thought that he had become more seriouly [seriously] inclined. I am satisfied myself that he was a changed man from the night of the storm on the Chi Kiang and I hope he received the pardon of his maker.
it is curious that a soldier or soldiers should have less regard for the Responsibility of man to god for their action than civilians but the army haves a demoralizing influence on most that are in the service, there is much to try men in the service, in the first place there is a great difference in the condition of the different Ranks, the officers can have just what they want but the private haves to obey without question all orders from an officer, for instance we are not allowed to go but a certain distance from the Camp without permission and the stores are not allowed to sell a private any whiskey or Liquor without a permit. the Boys generally will not ask permission but manage to get it without. there is less drinking than a person would naturally expect. I have felt the want of it many times when I could not get it. I have had bad spells with my bowells but have got over them. I expect to be troubled with it more or less as long as I stay in this southern climate, the sameness of food has a tendency to disarange our digestive organs. we have to buy a change of food with our own money if we have any. a good many of the Boys have no a cent to chuck.
well my darling time Rolls on and whether some of us ever do see our homes or not the time will undoubtedly come when the Regt. will turn it face homeward. I think we shall find to a certainty whether we go home in June by the 1st of June. My dear Wife nothing but the presence of yourself in the bosom of my little Family will satisfy the longing of my nature, we are all of us wishing for home. my dear Wife you will no doubt welcome me home with open arms if you are well if I return and I hope to leave you no more voluntarily. I do not think that the draft will take place in D [Danbury] until after we get home, my dear wife I love you still as ardently as ever and can but imperfectly express the strong desire I have to be with you once more.
Give my love to the children tell Eddie that I have another Ring made but it is not polished and I will send it in another letter. Kiss all the children for me and believe me to be your loving Husband
J.D. Bishop
