Rumor has it that Lt. Col. Stickney is under arrest. There was a gap in Bishop's letters because he didn't feel like writing. Bishop is in convalescent camp because of his nerves.
Convalescent Camp
N. Orleans July l8th 1863
My dear Wife
Tomorrow the Steamer leaves for N. York and I will write a little of the current rumours that are floating around. Our Regt. what there is of it fit for duty is up on the R. Road building a Bridge how long they will remain on the Road remains to be seen. It is said that Col Stickney the one that has been in command of us lately is under arrest. I am in hopes that they will send him home where he belongs so that he cannot have anything more to do with us. He has succeeded in giving us very hard work for some time and has shown a disposition to crush us as much as possible.
We hear a great many rumours about the 9 months men going home and it said that some Main [Maine] Regts. and Massachusetts & other are under marching orders to go home by the way of the Mississippi river. One Regt. left yesterday on a boat that has come through from St. Louis. They say that the River was free from Guerillas. I think the danger if there is any will be from bands that will collect along the shore to fire on the Boats and then run.
Well my darling, Port Hudson and Vicksburgh have fallen and it will have a mighty influence on the War. The news has reached us some days since of a great Battle at Gettysburgh PA. if uncle Sam can beg [sic] Lees Army it will do a great deal toward ending the war. You speak of not hearing from me immediately after the Battle. We were in such a moving unsettled condition that I could not tell what to write and since that time there has been so much going on that I have not written as often as I used to. I have not felt much like writing or anything else.
There is such a disposition shown by the officials to sacrifice the men if necessary to carry out whatever they want to. I do not mean to say that some do not care anything about the lives of the men but as a general thing a man is little thought of after the Battle is over. That is by the army. The truth is my darling that there is so much to do that requires the sacrifice of life that it is sickening to me and I want to get out of it. I do not think I am fit for it. I expected that some of the Boys would have written home that I went to the hospital to get rid of the fight which I did do because my nerves were in such a condition that I could not stand it. I do not expect any sympathy from the well and hearty but you know that when I am worn down by climate and poor health that I cannot stand the hardships of a Battle.
Well my dear I think we shall find out before long when we start for home and whether we go up the River or around by sea. I hope my dear to be home before long any way and then I can tell you a great deal more then I can write. But you may rest assured that my great desire is to get home to my Family. If I should be so blessed I shall be thankful to my heavenly father. Give my love to the children and believe me to be your loving Husband
J. D. Bishop
