More speculation about when he'll return home. Bishop is weary of the army and its ways. He complains of a bowel ailment. He expresses a justification for his absence from his regiment's battles.
Camp Bonne Carre
35 miles above N. Orleans on M. River
August 3rd 1863
My dearest Wife
I have not written to you as often lately because I have been waiting to find out what our prospects are for going home were but we donot find out anything definite about it. They say that the 9 months men are getting ready to go as fast as possible. And they say that they are to go up River home. Some of the 9 months Regts. are collecting at Port Hudson preparing to start up the river soon. It is though that we shall get started in a week or 10 days. Our officers are all in N. Orleans and we are under the command of the major of another Regt. Why our officers donot command is more then we know. But there is considerable swearing going on
I have received your letters regularly and they have been very acceptable and welcome. I have been completely disgusted lately to see the military authority keeping us in this department so long when so may of our men are worn out and sick in the Hospitals. I have been troubled with my Bowels for sometime and feel debilitated and completely disgusted. I feel just as if I did not care whether school kept or not. I have read the accounts of the Riots that have been taken place in N. York. I am of the opinion that if the men that were drafted knew what they would have to go through with they would refuse to leave their homes for so long a time. Well my darling sometimes I get discouraged and think that they do not mean to send us home but the time that they themselves have set that is the 14th of August will soon be here and then I do not see what excuse they can have for not starting us.
My darling I long to see you again and get out of this business which is demoralizing in the extrem. How I do long for the quiet of home and your companionship. When a person does not feel well they think more of home. The dear children I long to see I expect they have grown considerable since I have seen them. Tell them that I hope to be home before long. Port Hudson has finally fallen and the Mississippi River is said to be open. There are quite a number of Boats passing here daily.
My darling I have not felt myself like writing a great deal of sentiment lately but I love you still the same and hope that you do not feel any less love for me. I could wish that I was never of a fighting man for your sake but my strength is not equal to it. I think that if we had a fight before I got debilitated by the climate that I should have been able to stand up to it but as it was I could not. But you will have to take me just as I am if at all. I long to get home to get some food and some good water to drink. We have nothing but Mississippi water and that is warm and tackish.
Well my darling I hope to get started to be with you before many days and you must consider me your loving Husband
J. D. Bishop
