1861-10-24_Letter-A_Alvord-to-Bro-Broughton

Washington 24 Oct 61

Dear Bro. Broughton

Yours is here, & I am glad the "Banner" is coming—You better send half the edition here This, just now, is the place for most of our things. While the whole army pauses for a few days before the coming battle, it is a golden opportunity wh. must not be lost,—already our troops are packing & some in the late engage-ment wh. I had just prepared my-self to supply—How sad. The 15th & 20^th Mass. suffered severely—I shall visit the wounded tomorrow & do what I can for them. Send the Hy. Bk. with [tunes?] as soon as you can. Better put it (or at least a portion of it) in stiff covers

[sideways on left side] P. S. Glad to hear your business is good

The men will think a great deal of this Bk. & for use it should be made durable.—Our Bk. will take the preference of all others when you get in the [tunes?]—Dont forget the red covers—They are the go here, I should like while I remain that large quantities of all we have should come on, as I can increase very much the impression by having an abundance in hand. I dont see any Health books in binding of cloth, please send them [Cromwell?] takes with the officers, also Vicars & [Havelock?]—send some in cloth soon—I may be here & week or two longer.

Saw Miss Dix last evening & gave her some books, & promised more. She was greatly pleased, & I am to call again this evening—What does that attack upon her in the Boston Journal mean?—Did any of the matter that

you gave the ladies in [Tremont?] St. even come here, I can find no trace of it, I think you better send here instead of giving to them. If you have not the Hy books in binding, send them unbound for temporary use—send also all the thin books (bound if you can) as they go farther than others—You have no idea how Chaplains come round me, both here & in the camps, & beg for these things—Larger quantities we want—Tell all our friends & the Churches this—You do well, but what are these among so many! Gen'l Howard this morning, in [recovering?] up the [numbers?] with me, thinks there are 200,000 men all told, in the Army of the Potomac alone—Reckon for yourselves, 13 Divisions—of infantry besides artillery, & cavalry—Beg hard. Dont let the donations fall off. These dear men will soon be falling like autumns leaves—Shall they not first in

these simple forms, hear of Cx & his gospel? This last battle is very bad—Have just seen the funeral cortege of Co^l Baker pass—The city is saddened—& strong men are bowed. the loud wail of this funereal dirge & the long line of mourners quickens my heart to more instant duty, never have I felt so emphatically as at the present moment "what we do must be done quickly"—a report is just in town that only 400 of the 15^th Mass. are left, we scarcely believe it, but their loss has undoubtedly been dreadful—I enclose the receipts of deposit in Cleveland. Will settle up with you on my return. Has my boy reported his sales of what was left?—Please acknowledge $25— from W^m [Ballaitym?] Washington D.D. (for [sold?]) & charge it to me. Also—but my [Moms?] Bk. is not with me, & I will report next letter

Love to all Truly Yrs J W Alvord

[upside down at bottom of page] J. W. Alvord Oct. 24. 1861.

[sideways on left side] Your delegates are right. Shall hope to see them before the convention