The confederates have many prisoners, some have been paroled.
New Orleans
June 28th 1863
Dear Wife
We are in camp on the Fashion Race course 5 miles north of New Orleans, at the present time our folks are in a crisis. The Rebs know that Banks has taken most all his soldiers up to Port Hudson and they are endeavering to get possession of this City. The confederates have got possession of the Road [railroad) that we were guarding nearly to the city. It remains to be seen yet whether they will get it or not. The Confederates have got a good many men of ours prisoners and some of them have been paroled. Some of the paroled prisoners have been to see us to day. They will not have to do any more duty until they are exchanged. Which will probably not be while we are in the service.
Things look kind of dark in this quarter we were out last night on two alarms. But finally got to bed about IO o'clock. I am in hopes that we shall not see any more battles while we are in the service. Things look very dark all through the country to me. I do not think that we can ever subdue the south. Because they rise right up again in Guerilla Bands and force us to keep large armies in the field to guard what we take.
My dear wife I hope for the best and I hope that a kind Providence will still keep us in his protection and allow me to join you at our home. My dear I have suffered a good deal of anxiety the last week on account of the disaster that seems to follow our side. It is really disheartening but we must both keep up courage and hope for the best.
Monday
June 29th 1863
since yesterday afternoon my dear we have marched down to N. Orleans and back up to camp with all our force. Last night about 12 o'clock we were rousted out into line and started for the city with 5 days provisions. But we found the city was quiet and we started back again and have just arrived but I want to get this letter into the mail so that it can go by tomorrows steamer.
I received a letter from you 3 or 4 days ago dated June 11th for which I am obliged. Lately we have been having hard service but I am in hope that we shall not come in contact with the Rebs while we stay in the service. This camp is quite pleasant if we could only not have any unnecessary duty to do.
My mind lately has been in such a gloomy condition on account of the situation of this department that I have not felt like writing as cheerful as usual but I am in hopes that the Rebs will not attack the city. The danger of an attack would be that the citizens would rise and help them and we have not got sufficient force to put them down without great loss to ourselves.
My dear wife I have thought of you a great deal of late while we have been having a hard time and I did not know whether I should ever see you or not again but I am in hopes that everything will tum out right. To night it is just 9 months since we were sworn into the united states service. But I do not see the getting out part at present.
There is a mail in N. Orleans now for us and I am in hopes that I shall have l or 2 letters in it. Well my dear Wife I am in hopes that I shall return to you in safety in due time. I love you my darling the same as ever and long to be with you to talk to you. To console you and do all in my power to make you happy. I prize you my darling and hope to find you in good health and spirits when I return home if I should be so fortunate. Let us trust in providence my darling and hope that he will sustain us through all our trials.
From your loving Husband
J. D. Bishop