There are many sick people in the regiment. Bishop played music for burials 5 days in a row. James Keagan is sick.
Lafourche Crossing
June 11th 1863
My dear Wife
As the mail leaves here by saturday I thought that I would try and get another sheet written to send in one envelope. There is not much news to tell of but there is a litle transpiring here daily. last night we were reinforced by 1 Co. of infantry and some cavalry and 2 cannon which looks as if there was danger of an attack in this quarter. last night I felt poorly and these preparations for receiving the Rebs made me feel still worse. I feel debilitated and the excitement affects me more than it used to. I am going to stop doing any duty for a spell and see ifl cannot recruit up. I had to fife for burials 5 days in sucession in the middle of the day and it is too much for me. we have 60 or more sick at the Hospital besides some that are unwell at the different Co.'s. the chaplain of the Regiment is not expected to live but I am in hopes that we shall get out of this climate before a great while. we donot get any news from P. Hudson but those that have anything to say about it generally think that Banks will be sucessful. I hope so I am sure because selfishly speaking I think that it will have quite an effect with our situation.
The weather is hot enough to suit the coldest. last night I did not sleep hardly any because the mosquitos bit so and it was so hot that it set my whole nervous system on the quiver, but enough of that. I am in hopes that I shall have no serious illness but weather it through. there is a rumour in Camp now that we are to be mustered out of service on the 14th of July but whether here or in Connecticut I cannot say neither can I say that it is anything more than a rumour.
we expect a mail today by the cars. I hope to get a letter from you darling in it but it may have left N.Y. too soon after the other steamer to have one. my darling I wish I had something interesting to write about but there is not much change taking place here and we are all anxiously awaiting news from P. Hudson. James Keagan was sick last night but I got him a good dose of Pills and this morning he thinks that he feels better. my darling I think of you a good deal now a days and long to be home out of the turmoils of war. to be sick in a camp of strong men does not seem like being home.
Well me dear dear, darling wife the mail has just come and it contained one letter from you dated May 28th. it is a good letter my darling, full of affection my dear and that suits me, as it regards your not receiving my letters. I think it was because there had no steamers sailed or because the mail was not taken to N.O. in time to go on the !51 steamer that left. in one of the letters that I sent in May I enclosed 10 dollars. I hope you will receive it in due time.
My darling I am sure that your dream where you thought I was home was not true. I am sure that I am filled with a desire to be with you and at times it seems as if I could not naturally submit to be able to tell you so, and how thankful I am to think that you do love me, my dear wife. I hope that God will spare us both and let us be united again, my darling. I do so long to clasp you to my heart. how could I ever leave you voluntarily for so long a time? but my darling, I thank you for your love and I am so happy to think that I am necessary to your happiness. I love the children my darling but not as I love you, but let us take heart dear and hope that we shall be allowed to be happy together in the future. Kiss the children for me and tell them that I love them and want to see them. accept yourself of my warmest love believe that you are my greatest earthly hope. from your loving Husband
J. D. B.
