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[in print] War Department, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands. [in pen] Charleston S. C. Oct 25, [in print] 1865.
My Dears
We are just leaving by Boat for Savannah, having been detained here by stress of weather two days. Not idle, for there is so much to be done—It is very hard for Gen'l Howard to recon-cile the cold. people to this restoration of the lands, on which they had just com-menced to prosper, to the returned rebels. But it must be done, so says the President. On Edisto we had a sad meeting with 5 or 6 hundred. Here in the city a crowd of at least 4000 listened for an hour to his explanations, hardly feeling reconciled. after all, It will take time to overcome this ex-cessive disappointment. The poverty of the
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planters & their great need of labor upon the soil will oblige them to treat the people with some consideration, & with good wages now they are free, in order to get them to work at all. Have spent some of my time visiting schools, the cold. people here are quite intelligent—and now are all eagerness for their children—I have been staying with Maj Saxton—brother of the Gen'l. His wife is with him—They are from Newburyport Mass. Dined yesterday with the two Maj Gen'ls & went to the arsenal afterward. There is nothing to see here of interest only [views?]—great shot-holes & training work of [boasting?] shells. The people dont seem inclined to build up. Rather they are too poor. Try to live at present on exorbitant renting of what buildings were not destroyed. Got a room for my Bank yesterday very good. Am quite well—Hope you all are Write me at N. Orleans. Yrs as ever J. W. Alvord
[sideways on right side] Expect to be very sea sick today