He discusses the need to take walks and their benefit to his health in the hot climate.
Napoleonville
May 25th 1863
Dear Wife
I have just returned from my morning Walk which I take after Breakfast when it does not rain. I wrote a letter to you yesterday but I suppose you will have no objection to reading another one if it should be at all interesting. I cannot vouch for that as I do not see where the ideas are coming from but I hope the supply will equal the demand. in the first place My dear I have had a pleasant walk and feel stronger since I commenced to take a walk several times a day. You see my dear that having nothing to do I used to feel just as if I wanted to loss [lie?] down all the time on account of the lassitude created by the Climate and I found that it was necessary to use some exertion to create more steam to keep the machinery going.
I donot think that this description will be very interesting to you but I use it to fill out with, now my dear wife you must know that soldiers of all men require to have something to occupy their minds with and since we have had to give up the idea of going home in June we have to think of something else, now my present hobby is going up the Mississippi River if our folks succeed in opening it so as to be safe for Iravel. I have been thinking that if we have to stay here long and we take Vicksburg & Port Hudson, why I shall try to get home by the way of the River & Cincinnatti but I donot dare to hope very strongly for that as there is no certainty that we shall succeed but it is considered probable by some.
My dear wife I dare not think too much of home the times seems so distant that we can have any hopes of realizing our desire to see our loved ones. I know that you and the children will feel disappointed that I am not coming home in June but you must have patience and try to do as you are now doing your duty faithfully. I am well satisfied my dear that you are doing everything well and that you are acting as a faithful wife should. I am sorry my darling that you have to have the whole care and responsibility of the Family but my dear I hope that there will be an end to my abscence that then I can relieve you of a part of the Burden. I have every confidence in you my darling and I hope that God will spare your health to let you enjoy a peaceable old age with your humble servant by your side surrounded by our children and perhaps by our grandchildren.
for my own part I dare not draw a very flattering picture of the future as it regards my own old age. it seems to me as if my constitution was broken down and that it never will be as strong as it used to be. but God holds the future and will direct. I hope he will keep me in the fear of him and give me wisdom to obey his commands. it seems to me my dear as if I should like to have a home and some land to get our living with what do you think of that? do you think that I am enough of a Farmer to support us in comfort? I am afraid myself that the jury would decide against me. Well my dear I donot see but what we shall have to leave the future to take care of itself until the time comes to act.
How is Eddie and how is Katie and how is Josie and how is my litle Fannie? I wish I could see the darlings all of them. I think of them and perhaps I should say more about them but I always think that you are with them and will take care of them. kiss them all for me and tell them that they must study their lessons and try to be good scholars so that when I come home I can hear them read.
My darling I shall not be contented until I am home with you. you krow that of course I have told you so many times of it but my heart yearns so for your companionship that I cannot help but tell you and if you love me you will sympathize with me and try to comfort me. I receive comfort from your letters my dear wife and I hope you will continue to encourage me with your advice and sympathy. I feel my darling as if I needed your love and support. donot hesitate to advise and encourage me whenevereart prompts you and believe that I will try to he humble and try to receive it in a loving spirit accept my fondest love and believe me to [be] your true Husband
J. D. Bishop
