Noble Sentiments of the Soul: The Civil War Letters of Joseph Dobbs Bishop, Chief Musician, 23Rd Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, 1862-1863

While Joseph Dobbs Bishop was serving in Louisiana with the 23rd Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, he wrote letters ceaselessly to his wife and children. In several ways, his correspondence is typical of Civil War soldiers-he sends news of his comrades, he mentions his duties (he was a musician as well as an infantryman), he observes the landscape, complains about weather, illness, boredom, and homesickness, and longs for more letters from his wife. But Bishop's letters go beyond typical to r...