Bishop wants his wife to write more, he misses his children, and camp life is relatively uneventful with little change. Mentions location of camp by harbor.
Camp Terry Co. B. New Haven [ CT] October 16th 1862
Dear Sarah,
I received your letter by politeness of Mr. Northrup I did not answer it immediately because I thought I should be able to come home sometime this week but we have had orders that no more Furloughs are to be granted unless in case of sickness but I expected to be able to come home before we leave the State. If I cannot come home I must write oftener and you must write to me oftener. I wish you would write to me as often as twice a week.
I find camp life about the same as I expected. I should have been better pleased if I had got what I wanted but I donot think that there is any prospect of there being any change as the Col will stick to the man that he appointed.
I think of you often and wish I could be home with you but I have got to learn to live a life of self denial. Well how do you get along with the children I suppose you all miss me some but I am glad that my going away will leave you more comfortable than you would be if I stayed.
I am in hopes that we shall get the 50 dollars State bounty if we should it would help out materially. I shall speak to the captain about the 10 dollars per month that you will draw every month so that there will be no difficulty in your getting it regularly. I want to see little Fannie and I want to see all of you but of course the longer I stay away the greater pleasure I shall experience in seeing you all.
We had a Battallion Drill and dress parade yesterday afternoon which is quite a sight with a whole regiment or 3 regiments. I hope mother does not think that I intended to slight her in not calling on her. I think I shall get a furlough to come home by the latter part of next week and then I shall go to see her of course.
Our camp ground is beautifully situated by the side of the harbor and we have a view of the Steam Boats and sailing vessels. The camp is laid out in regular Streets and we have a handsome Arch covered with greens which looks quite imposing at the entrance of our street. We have to keep our tents and streets swept clean every day. Many of the soldiers wives have been down to see them but you could not leave the children and I should not want to have you if you could because I do not think that it is proper for women of good character to be around the camp listening to the loose conversation that the soldiers indulge in. but I do not wish you to mention to anyone that I say so and you must be careful not to tell of anything that I write to you about the Camp that the soldiers might not like to have said about them. In fact I think you had a better not say anything about what I write to you.
I am getting a new Blouse made for me in N. H. as the one that the state furnished wasn't long enough for me. Tell Eddy that I intend to give him the cap that the government furnished one when I come up and you can make it over for him. Donot forget to write as often as twice a week. Good bye darling and e ieve me to be your loving Husband.
J. D. Bishop
