Bishop tires of the army. He's made it drill 2 hours a day, plus guard duty. Many are sick.
Camp Bonnet Carre
August 4th 1863
My Dear Wife,
Since writing yesterday 2 of our officers have come up from N. Orleans and we have ascertained that there is not much hopes of our getting started for home before the 14th of August and we do not know certainly that they will start us as soon as that. So that my dear I do not think that you can expect to see us much before the 1st of Sept. I thought I would write and let you know what the probabilities were.
I received a letter from you this morning dated July 19th for which I am much obliged. I it to be filled with affection for me which I prize above all things. There is another steamer now in N. Orleans which has a mail for us which we have not received yet. You seem to think that he drafted men may resist the government if they undertake to force them from their homes. I hope they would not molest you or the children. If you should apprehend anything of that kind I hope you would take the children Fannies or some other place. But I am in hopes that you will suffer no inconvenience on account of a mob.
I wish my darling that I could be home to take care of you and protect you from all harm. I get almost discouraged myself when I think of the uncertainties that attend our situation but as you say we must trust in Providence and hope for the best. My darling I want to see you badly or very much I feel sometimes as if I would give everything to be able to receive your sympathy my darling. I get disgusted with the demoralization that always exists in an army. The power that exists in military discipline is perfectly crushing and if the officers are so inclined they can make it perfect torment for the men. The Major in command of these forces makes the men drill 2 hours a day besides there guard duty.
We have a great many sick in the Regt. James Hagan is not dangerously sick and stays with the Co. Principally he has the Chills and Fever. He looks fat and healthy but he has these sick turns. Robert Stratton is quite sick with a fever you can tell Mr. Ely if you see him. Almost all the men have a turn of Fever or Bowel Complaint.
My darling I long to clasp you to my heart in my own home again and long to see the children and I long to get out of this military disposition when shoulder straps are no better then other men. My darling I can better tell you of many things than I can write them. Our Patriotism is pretty much died out in this department. But My dear my love for you has not died out and I hope that providence will allow us to be united in due time with health and strength to fight our way through the world with weapons of Grace. You must do the best you can my dear in managing until I get home and if you do not have money enough why ask Mr. Ely to help you. We have not been paid off for the last 3 months.
From your devoted husband
J. D. Bishop
