Fannie rented part of her house to Mr. Montgomery. Mr. Griffin had the well fixed.
Napoleonville La.
June 16th 1863
My dearest Wife
Thinking that I should gain some time and that you would probably receive some pleasure in reading it I commence writing to you again this morning although I wrote 10 pages yesterday. there is no news to write about and whether I shall succeed in making it interesting or not I shall not be able to decide until after I have tried. so here goes.
last night I retired about past 9 and slept comfortably without an alarm for which when I awoke this morning I felt decently thankful and I thanked my god for it. my darling I feel thankful to my God for preserving me from all harm since I have been in the army. I sometimes pray to him to protect you and the children from sickness and trouble. I dare say that you my wife pray to God that he will preserve me from sickness and death. I think my darling that your heart would prompt you to think.
I find myself in a situation where I am obliged to acknowledge that God is supreme and ruleth all things and that we must submit to his decrees. I hope my dear that he will give me wisdom to understand him, and strength to perform my part. and humility enough to keep me from being Vain. how little strength of mind we have without god gives it to us. his mercies are more than I deserve. I hope I shall not forget to be grateful to him for his blessings. to day we expect a mail and I hope to get a letter from you to tell me whether you are all in health or not. I hope it will be favorable.
so Fannie has rented part of her House to Mr. Montgomery she was fortunate in renting it so soon So Mr. Griffin has had the well fixed has he? I thought he would do so before I got home, he always treated me respectfully when I was home although I never through [thought] that he was a man of honest principle. I dare say that he will manage to get a family up stairs before I get home.
the letter that I wrote to mother I supposed that you would enclose it in an envelope and forward to Mother in Bridgeport. please do so. if you hear anything about Nathaniel donot forget to let me know of it. when you write to California donot forget to give my respects to your Father and Mary and all of your friends.
I guess you get more exercise in the open air now that I am away than you used to when I was home. well my darling make as much of it as you can and enjoy yourself as much as you can and when I come home you must try to persuade me to be just to you if I should not be so from inclination. you know my disposition and you know how natural it is to resist opposition but my darling just try the effect of reasoning a little in a loving way and see if I will not listen to you and acknowledge when I am wrong. I want my dear to set seriously at work to alter the defects in my disposition and I want to have you help me. Will you darling? now I love you just the same this morning that I did yesterday and hope I shall continue to always as long as we live. My darling continue to love me and you will make me happy as far as anything on this earth can and believe that I have a sincere desire to make you happy. Keep up good courage and trust that God will have us in his holy keeping. Kiss the children for me and kiss my picture and I will yours and believe me to be your loving Husband
J. D. Bishop
