Bishop dreamed about sex with his wife. He hopes war doesn't come to the north.
Lafourche Crossing La.
June 15th 1863
My Dear Wife
this is a hot june morning and I have commenced writing early so that it would be more comfortable. last night and night before we were aroused out on account of firing but fortunately both times proved no attack. we expect an attack on this Bridge because it offers an opportunity to the Rebs to cut off our forces up at Brashear or berwick Bay. and now that Gen Banks is engaged up at P. Hudson they could better accomplish their purposes. but unless they are stronger than they are supposed to be I donot think they will make a serious attempt to take this Bridge. last night I turned out with my Gun the same as the rest of the men but I was glad to find out that it was a false alarm. We cannot get much sleep before morning or until late at night and these alarms break up our rest. we are troubled dreadfully with Fleas and musquitos. it is almost impossible to get any sleep in the night and especially in a tent.
I expect a letter will arrive from you this week as the steamer Creole left N. York on the 6th of June and she is due at N. 0. now. I shall have to read your old ones over until I get new ones. every night about dark or before that I generally think more of you and home and I generally read the last letters that I received from you. I like to take a walk away from the camp where I can be by myself and think of home. I generally take a walk down by the Bayou about a mile to an old saw mill where I can sit and think of the old times that you and I have had together my darling. I was dreaming of you this morning when the Drum for Revilie awakened me up and spoiled my fun. it seemed to me that we had just returned from an expedition and I found you at our quarters and found you asleep and while every body was around I tried to cover us over with the Blanket but some how I could not get it so but what the rest could see but finally I thought that I began to caress you and the Drum beat and lo I found it all a dream. I was sorry because I think an emission would have done me good. my darling the time passes although it seems slow. it has now got to be the middle of June. we have some hopes that we shall be started for home by the middle of July. I hope God will grant me that blessing.
My dear Wife from indications that I see in the northern papers I fear that there will be an outbreak in the northern and western states. I am afraid that when they come to conscript that a great many will resist with arms. My darling a great many men are led on by excitement to encourage an opposition to the law and I am afraid that it is the destiny of the country to be the Theatre of a greatly extended Civil War. My dear wife I pray to God our northern country may not be over run by contending armies. People that have never seen war can have but a faint Realization of the miseries of war. Families all scattered in different places and perhaps fighting against one another. Property destroyed and the people suffering for enough to keep them comfortable. God grant that our fair state may be spared from this affliction.
but God is merciful and I feel that he is showing it to us. how little we ordinarily appreciate the blessings of our heavenly Father. may he direct us aright so that we may not abuse the blessings that he bestows on us. what a blessing my dear wife it is to love one another. how much I do prize your love and I love you in return. time I hope will enable us to show our love to one anolher i,Bnaking each olher as happy as posible. I pray that our heavenly Father will give me wisdom to act my part aright as one that fears him.
afternoon Monday
June 18th 1863
well my darling this morning I thought I would rest a while until I felt more like writing. I always like to write to you but sometimes my head feels dearer than it does at others.
I generally try to devote the last page of a sheet to you but in the other sheet I filled it out before I knew that I was on the last page. I have necessarily to say the same things over and over in writing so often and all that I can say is that I continue to love you dearly and long anxiously to be with you. I presume that you know how much I long to see you and be with you and how much I want to see the children and how joyful I should feel to be able to start for home because if you love me (which I do not doubt) you will be able to realize the longing to enjoy ones home and companion.
My darling I feel that I must submit to the dispensations of providence and wait until he allows us to enjoy the blessing of home together. I feel that that is a power which cannot be hurried or turned aside from its own paths. my dear I am glad that you do not have to suffer with the heat as we have to and I am glad that there is a hope that it will not last always with us. there appears to be a shower rising in the south west the thunder rolls continually. I am in hopes that it will cool the air. some of our Boys have been out scouting for Guerillas this morning but they returned without seeing anything to indicate there (their] being hereabout. I hope they will make no attack while we are stationed here and then no one will have to be killed. most of our Boys have a turn of sickness but they get around again and I am in hopes that we shall not lose any more. James Hagan has had quite a sick spell but he thinks that he is getting along nicely. I myself feel in my usual state of health. the officers are very kind to those that are sick.
well my darling this is the last page. Now my darling you must continue to love me and wait patiently as you can for my return and believe that I would not stay away a minute longer from you than I could help but on the contrary would hurry to your side to make you as happy as I could.
I love you my dear wife if it were possible more and more and find it very difficult to be patient and wait for my release from service but time cannot be hurried and we must wait until it rolls around to the figure that says you can go. then my darling if we are spared to each other I anticipate much joy. then my darling I hope to feel your dear arms around me and I hope to kiss away all care from your cheek. but now my darling your love is what I prize the most.
Kiss the children for me and tell them that I think of them and want to see them and hope to come home to them soon.
believe me to be your loving Husband
J. D. Bishop
