The paroled privates of the regiment complained about the prison they'd been kept in. There's worry about impending battle with the rebels. Bishop thinks about his kids.
New Orleans
July 7th 1863
My dear Wife
We are now encamped on Congo Square in the city of N. Orleans and have been here for 4 days. the Union folks are afraid that the Rebs will attack the city and they are afraid that the Secesh inside the city will rise to help them. we are awaiting anxiously the tum of events. Port Hudson does not fall yet. we hear from there often by our officers and they say that it must fall soon but it does not seem to fall. at present I consider ourselves in a very critical condition. the Rebs are all around the city within 10 or fifteen miles. whether they will attempt to take the city or not remains to be seen. I think myself that the Rebs have the best of it at present.
when we shall get started for home we know not and do not see any indications of it at present but I hope for the best. the paroled prisoners of our Regt have arrived in N. Orleans from Brashear. they consider that they are having a hard time of it as they are put into the same place that the Reb prisoners were put and it is said to be very filthy and filled with vermin. My darling I see that the Rebs are successful at the north both at sea and on land. if we start for home soon we may get taken on the way but I hope for the best. the mail steamer locust Point [sic] arrived yesterday and I am in hopes to have a letter from you in it. my darling this seems to be a crisis with us and I hope all things will turn out for the best. I long to see you and to be at home with you out of the turmoil of War. little do the abolitionists of the north know about real war unless they are in the army. if any have to suffer the consequences I wish it could be them alone.
My darling I love you and think of you often in these perilous times and I sometimes think that I am to blame for leaving a good home but I suppose it was so to be. I am in hopes that kind providence will allow me to join you in due time. then I hope to prove a good husband to you. my greatest pleasure is in thinking of you always when I lie down at night and thinking of the probabilities of getting home to you again. in the mean time you can rest assured of my warmest love and desire for your happiness.
the dear children I long to see. I take pleasure in looking at their pictures. Edward looks extremely intellectual. Katie looks sweet and honest. Josie looks good and comical and Fannie looks like the cunning Baby of the Family. I do not know exactly how you look and I donot know as I should be so very particular if I could only be at home with you. I expect your new teeth will improve your appearance. I am browsed a brown color from the exposure to the weather of all kinds. we have had no tents until last night since we have been in N. Orleans and have lain on the ground with a Blanket over us ready to jump up at a moments notice. Well my darling I can only repeat that you are very dear to me and that I hope that we may be allowed to be happy together yet. you are my greatest friend on this earth and I long to rest my head on your bosom and tell you of all my trials and travels and you may rest on my breast and I will try to encourage and strengthen you.
With much love I am your devoted Husband
J. D. Bishop
