The company sends money home as a lump sum, for Edward Davis to distribute. The men are disillusioned with the war and are unlikely to re-enlist. They anticipate the arrival of a care package from home.
Lafource Bayou [LA]
February 18th 1863
Dearest Wife,
As I am going to send some money to you I will write at the same time to notify you of its being sent. the money is to sent is a lump for the whole company to Edward Davis and he is to distribute it. I shall send $30.00 (thirty dollars) it will go by express and will be insured I hope it will go safe. I sent you by the last letter that I wrote to you an order for $10.00 on the state of Conn. for the payment of Bounty money now due. that order I hope you will have received by the time you receive this. I will also enclosed in the letter a ring for Edward and that will make a ring that I have sent to all of you. in the last letter that I wrote to you I sent a ring to Katie and one for Josie.
my dear Wife I was very much disapappointed that I did not receive a letter by this steamer which brought a large mail for the Regt. I wish you would write me as often as twice a week if you are well and then I shall be likely to get a letter as often as the mail steamer arrives.
My dear we have received our pay from the Government for the l st time this afternoon I received $5.60 for my share up to the 1st of January.
My dear wife I felt quite disappointed not to recieve a letter from you today, but you might not have been well I think it is likely that another mail steamer will be in by Saturday and probably there will be a letter in that for me.
my dear I think often with feelings of love for you and the children and wish for the time of my enlistment to expire that I may fly on the wings of a Steam ship or Rail Road to the peaceful presence of my Family. My Wife I try to pass the time pleasantly but I find it lags some time in this locality. the station that we are at is an inland one and there is not much going on but the arrival of the Car twice a day. the Col's quarters are at this place and that makes some more stir. but with all that it is rather monotonous. I donot have anything to do now as Chief of Drum Corps because the musicians are all scattered with their Companies. but perhaps we shall get together again before the Regt. starts for home.
Lafource Bayou
February 18th 1863
if they donot I donot care because the spirit of Military is dead in this regiment most of the men think that the war will not be ended by fighting and they have no taste for the war unless they feel more interest than they do now. General Banks offers $400 Dollars Bounty to the 9 months men to enlist into Cavalry regiments but I donot think that many of our men will enlist again. we understand that there is a Box on the Road for this company containing Tobacco and other things.
My dear I think I will only finish out this sheet this time and will write again in 2 or 3 days. my dear I wish you to remember that you are my dearest object of affection in this world and that I think of you often and always. I can only wait patiently until the time arrives to bring us together and that I hope will be in June. Now my dear I must bid you god bye until next time. affectionately
J.D. Bishop
