News of the war leaves Bishop skeptical of the outcome and apprehensive of a civil war in the north. Men in another company travelled to Franklin, LA (8 miles to the the north under a flag of truce). Bishop remains disappointed about the number of letters he is receiving.
Brashear City [LA]
February 6th 1863
Dear Wife
I received a letter from you last night dated Jany 18th and I thought I would answer it today.
the weather down here is quite cold and has been for 3 or 4 days. we have very changable weather in this country. Some days are as hot as it is in Danbury in June and some are cold enough to make ice at night. last night the water froze where it was still so that there was ice ½ inch thick.
I received a paper with the letter last night. the N. Y. Times I find considerable news in it but I get some of the war news from N. Orleans papers in advance of the northern papers. I observe by the papers that there is a political change taking place in the northern states. it is just as I expected it would be I think perhaps eventually they will get a platform for this war that will unite all the different parties so that we can fight the south successfully but time will tell. there are so many changes likely to take place that we cannot forsee that we cannot calculate with a dead certainty. I hope you people of the northern states will not get into a fight with one another. it seems that they are having quite a time at Albany among the politicians. I hope everything may be arranged without Civil War. although war does not look as replighant [?] to me as it did when I entered the service yet it is not a thing to be lightly entered into.
My dear wife there is not much news that is interesting transpiring around here except that we all think that there is to be another Battle above here before long.
Saturday morning.
Last night there was another alarm and all the forces here were put under arms and the Gun Boats started out. it was reported by some of the people on the other side that the Rebels were seen approaching this place with Cavalry and artillery. All the men that had not already 40 rounds of Cartridges were told to supply themselves immediately with the same. it is amusing to witness the expedients that some take to get rid of going where they think there is danger. One man that was thought to be one of our most courageous men when the Regt. left N. Haven was taken with dreadful pains in his bowels last night when he thought that he would have to go with the rest. John Smith haves a good time generally. his position as waggoner gives him a good deal of spare time. yesterday a party went down the river some miles on a Foraging expedition. John Smith went with them, they got a lot of fresh Beef and a boat load of wood &c &c John enjoys himself and tell Mrs. Smith that John gets along first rate.
My little dear Wife I am sitting on a boat turned bottom upwards along side of our Quarters where the sun shines warm. I have been around the depot wharves looking at the Gun Boats this morning. I generally take a stroll around every day to see what is going on and hear the news. I have a pass to go at all hours and I can go where I please
My little dear I should like to be with you to help you about moving. you must get Amos or Mr. Ely to help you see about a House as I take it that you have got to move soon. I had a good mind to write to Clark Hoyt and tell him what I thought of him but on reflection I think it will be better to let Providence punish him it thinks best. but donot you let him tum you out of there until you find a suitable place to live in and try to get in a respectable neighborhood. I will leave you to use your judgment in the selection of a house.
a company of men 15 in number of Co B. has just started under a flag of truce for Franklin about 8 miles up the river to move some Families back to this place I think that they are some that originally lived in this place and left it when our forces took possession of it. when they come back perhaps we shall hear some news.
about the rings my dear I will try and make one out of Hom such as the boys make now principally and send it to you in a letter. and if I can get the right kind of horn I will make one for Katie but I donot want to have you build up too much hopes for fear that I should not be able to fulfill my promise on account of constitutional laziness. but my little dear wife I should like to do almost anything to please you and I will and pluck up the necessary energy to make a ring.
well Dear do not forget to write often as I feel disappointed when mail arrives and I donot get a letter, remember that I love you and that I wish to hear from you often and also of the children. I have written quite often lately and I hope that you will get them all. tell Amos that he must excuse my not having written to him but that I send him my best respects.
I understand by Gran Hayan he has been quite busy with work lately for which I am glad. it seems that he has gone to Bridgport to make a visit I hope he will have a good time. I wrote to mother about a week ago directed to Bridgport. give my respects to Fannie and all enquiring friends.
My dear wife I have just got a ring that Johnny Raymond made that I think will fit one of your fingers. i will enclose it in this letter and I hope you will wear it for my sake. it has a heart on it and I should like to have you consider it the same as if I sent you my own heart.
I have just finished my dinner we had a tip top dinner this noon of Beef steak, fried salt pork, soft Bread, Garlick, and Coffee. our cook, Wm. Balic has improved very much lately in his cooking and he is also improved in his manners and habits.
My little deary I often think of you and wish I could be with you. my dear I have not seen many white women since I have been in the service that is since I left Camp Terry and I have not seen any yet that I thought would tempt me in my allegiance to you. the woman of this country do not look at all beautiful to me it may be that I have not seen any of the good looking ones.
my dear there is no one else my dear that my heart is yearning for but yourself. My dear little Sarah how I do want to see you. the time seems to be slipping along the time and I must confess that I do not see much hardship in my position in fact I like it or should do if it were not that I am obliged to be absent from you and the children my little dearie I must bid you good bye for now but believe me to be your loving husband
J. D. Bishop
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Feby 10th
My dear wife
I have just recieved your letter dated Jany 20th continue to write often if you are able
J. D.B.
P.S. We left Brashear City on Sunday to guard the Rail Road between N. Orleans and Brashear our Co Bis stationed at Lefourch about half way between N. 0. and Brashere. direct the same as usual.
J. D. Bishop
A clipping from the Danbury News re: the 23rd from Cpl. Elias N. Osborne, Company B.
