They're staying in Congo Square. It rained and the tent floor got wet. Bishop makes a literary reference to David Copperfield.
New Orleans
July 9th 1863
My dear Wife,
Notwithstanding that I wrote a letter yesterday to you I think that I can occupy some time that hangs heavy on my hands by writing to you. Yesterday the news came to us that Vicksburgh had fallen and that we had taken 27,000 Prisoners. At first I could not believe it to be true but it is said to be official and I hope will have a good influence on the termination of the war. It is said that Gen. Grant is going to reinforce Gen. Banks and there is a strong probability that Fort [Port] Hudson will fall soon. The quicker that falls the sooner I think we shall start for home.
We have settled down into camp life on Congo Square a nice park with shade trees so that we can keep as cool as it is possible for us to in this hot climate. Last night just at night we had a heavy thunder shower which ran under our tents and wet the ground so that it made it uncomfortable sleeping. I found a short board which I placed one end of on my knapsack and raised myself enough from the ground to keep tolerably dry. But today I can feel the rheumatism in my legs. But I have dug a trench around my tent to day and I am in hopes that I can keep my tent floor dryer. It has now commenced raining again and I shall have a chance to try it.
Saturday morning July 10th
Well my darling last night I slept in the hospital tent as my tent was so wet and I had caught cold from the night before. I thought that I would take some medicine but I should try to get along without. I donot see anything to indicate our starting for home for the present although there is a Massachusetts Regt. to start for home to day it is reported. They have been to P. Hudson probably fighting. My darling fighting is a serious business and the longer I am in the service the more I dread to see an action. If ever I get home I think I shall let those that want to fight do it to their hearts content. We are like David McCawber or Jenkins waiting for something to tum up I hope it will be the speedy fall of P. Hudson. N. Orleans is more of a city than I expected and is higher ground and cleaner than most cities. The steamer Creole is expected to arrive tomorrow with a mail and I hope a letter for me. How do the men that are likely to be drafted feel in old Conn.? Well my darling time moves slowly along. It has got to be the 10th of July and if they got us home in Conn by the 14th of august they must start us by the 1st of august. Who knows whether they will.
My dear Wife my love for you is as strong as ever and my desire to return to you and the children continues unabated. All we can do my dear is to hope for the best and trust that every thing will tum out for the best. My darling how my heart yearns for home how much I do desire to feel myself in that peaceful retreat along side of my little darling. It almost seems as ifl should have to have an introduction to you it is so long since I have seen you. Do not forget to love me and to write often as that is my principal source of pleasure receiving your letters.
Give my love to the children and accept my devotion to yourself and believe me to be your loving Husband
J. D. Bishop
