Sarah Bishop gives updates on local people, and asks after several people who were captured.
Danbury
July 9th 1863
Dearest Husband,
I have received your letter of the 26 of June dated at New Orleans. Yesterday morning some letters came but mine did not come until evening. My mind was very much relieved I can tell you for I began to think you must certainly be captured as no one spoke of you I went to every person that I could hear had a letter to make inquiries Amos has been down several times to see if I had a letter from you yet. He came this morning and I read part of your letter to him. Mrs. Hagan had a letter on the 9th of July. Amos' wife is very sick I am going up to see her tomorrow if I possibly can get off. Tell Mr. Smith his wife was here visiting to day with the children. The baby is as fat and sweet as he can be, he is a very large child for his age.
The friends of those who have been taken prisoners are very anxious about them. Mr. Sprool up on the hill has a brother in Co K he has not heard from if you know anything about him do write and tell me and I can tell him and old Mr. Baily' sons are missing we heard that Capt. Jenkins and also Wm. Mallory were prisoners. His Father was in Mrs. Sarrel' for its making inquiries about him last night as he has not had a letter the two last mails the 17th Regt. are most all prisoners in Virginia. I told you in the letter I wrote on Sunday that Capt. Moore was killed his body is to be sent home and buried with Masonic honors. I have heard there are said to be five of the Co killed. One by the name of Milton Daniel, General Grant had a great fourth of July Celebration in occupying Vicksburg. Now he can go down and help Banks take Port Hudson. If necessary the Cannon was fired over it for some time yesterday. I suppose you have heard by this time about the Victories in Pennsylvania. The rebels have got back to the Potomac but cannot cross very easily as the river has risen and our troops have destroyed their Pontoon Bridges. Yesterday it was said they were fighting again but I have not heard any news to day. Probably you will hear before this reaches you all about it. Gen Dix is now said to be cutting off the retreat in Virginia some of Jeff Davis' Dispatches were intercepted in Maryland. He ordered Lee to return at once if he can you know oh wont it be glorious if Lee has to surrender
well Dear Josie we are counting the days and hours now for we think you must be home within the month. I hope the rest of the Regt. will be parolled to come home all together and if you could only come by the Mississippi River how much it would save you not to have to take a long sea Voyage again. Mrs. Williamson the Surgeons wife is most crazy about her husband. She came to the door this morning she had heard that I had a letter to see if I could tell her anything. He was at Brashear City and was probably captured. Libby came today to hear from you too. I had a letter from Myra this week she is well but cannot come to see me at present
we are all well now I manage to keep busy hoeing the garden and keeping the children in order, did you get their pictures. It is very warm to day.
Well Darling I must draw my letter to a close as my sheet is full.
Your loving Wife
Sarah Bishop
We ought to be very thankful to God for having spared you to return home.
