Sarah informs bishop that she has heard about the battle and fears bad news. She writes that Captain May had been captured and she sympathises with the loss of Lt. Frederick Starr who lived in the Octagon House in Danbury.
Danbury
July 1st 1863
My Dear Dear Husband
I have sat down to write to you but know not whether you will ever read or receive it for last night we received the news of the Battle in which your Regiment was engaged and the names of some of the wounded and killed how thankful I felt not to hear your name my Darling although I shall not feel certain that you are safe until I get a letter from yourself I did get a letter on Monday Evening dated the 18th of June post marked the 20th and was surprised there was any later news. I was coming home from the Post Office when I met Mrs. Pickering and she asked me if I had heard the news I went into Mr Stove' with her and heard all there was to hear. Mr. Haddor is Mr. Stoves' son in law although I suppose you know it. his wife was feeling very badly. I hear that Johnny Raymond wife got a letter too. I feel very anxious about you Darling and shall until I hear from you. if anything has happened you must get us word some way, if it is possible. I have felt sure you would have some fighting before you came home and this may not be the last of it. how dreadful it is, this war we do not realize it, until it is brought so near our homes and hearts. we all feel so anxious about you dear Josie.
Amos came down this morning early to see if I had a letter- bad news seems to fly, for this came in seven days. the shortest time we have known the mail to come in. the letter I got on Monday came in 9 days. I was just saying to myself how thankful I was that you kept so well. I sent the letter you sent to your Mother in care of Clarke. I suppose she will hear the news as it is in all the papers. everybody seems to think that Mr. Starr cannot recover and Capt. May it seems is a prisoner. accidents happen here in this quiet place Mr. Carl Bennet was thrown out of his wagon the other day and had his leg broken very badly-
Dear Husband I am holding little Fannie on my lap while I write so cannot write very exact she is very cross and wants me to take her often but she appears to be well. the rest of the children are well and make as much noise and trouble as they can. they are just asking me if your time is not up and when you are coming home. how I wish you were safe at home Dearest but I suppose it is a selfish wish when you are so much needed to defend our fight. I hope you will have help in time to defeat all their plans, but it looks rather dark to us now all around.
hoping this will find you well and unharmed, My Dearling [sic]
I am your Devoted Wife
Sarah Bishop
