Letters of Rev. John W. Alvord

which would otherwise shatter the nerves all to pieces. I had only three Boxes of stores and could have used 20. I had not expected to find such destitution in this army. A great deal must be made for them, or, in such times as the present they will suffer greatly. I speak of temporal want. As to reading matter they seem much more destitute than even the army of the Potomac. I shall hasten back to care for the things you have all kindly sent but how I wish I could spend some time here We wanted shirts for the whole thousand One secesh lady gave me shirts.

Yours &c (signed) J. W. A.

P.S. I took possesion of and fixed up two hospitals.

The hospitals too are asking for the Bauners and the little red books. Tell them to put 2/3^ds of the Bauner in the regimental scrolls of 100 [Sos.?]

[Yrs?] (signed) J. W. A.

P.S. You may now all direct me as of old to No 22 P.O. Building, Wash, D. C. George will be there when I am about. He has a place in the Navy Office for 6 hours of the day, mornings and evenings occupies the room. Tell them at the office to direct all letters there.

(Copy) [in pencil:] Duplicate

Alexandria Va. Sept. 3^d, 1862.

My Dears,

Here we are working and fighting away. The result no one can tell. I have faith that we shall beat, but the struggle is perfectly awful. The [stores?] you sent are again in good time. Our barge is moved along side the Dock and we are now opening and distributing everything. All, and much more is needed The hams came out good except a little on the outside. They are a great luxury. I am [sharing?] them with hungry soldiers, so of the other things. At every corner there are crowds in want. I shall open the rooms at 22 P.O. again and I want you to urge them at the office to send me quick and large supplies. The mails will take our beautiful little packages directly to all these Regts. and they are now so ravenous for something to read, and many of them for Christian Consolation

Boston [unclear] Recommend in a chaplaincy

Boston, Oct. 10, 1862.

We the undersigned, deeply desirous of securing to our army the services of chaplains competent to meet the demands of their high office, would earnestly recommend to the appointing powers, the

Rev. John W. Alvord of Boston. His personal excellence is known throughout the churches of New England. His superior qualifications for this service are probably better known by the officers and members of the Army of the Potomac, than by us.

We take great satisfaction in commending him to the highest confidence of the military authorities; and shall be gratified to hear that he has been appointed to a chaplaincy in the Hospitals of Washington.

Attest,

Edw. N. Kirk, Pastor of Mt Vernon Church, Boston.

Henry M Descter, Pastor of Berkeley St Cong. [Chh?], Boston.

Alonzo H Quint Chaplain 2^d [Mass?] Vols

O. H. White—Boston Ms.

J.P. Warren Sec. Am Tract Society.

Henry Hill, Treas. Am. Tract Society.

J. M. [Pasten?]

H. B. Hooker, Sec. Mass [Horn?] [Misty?] Sec.

E.B. Webb. Pastor of Shawmut Chh Boston

Horace James, Chaplain 25^th Mass. Regt.

Baron Stow, Pastor of the Rowe St. Baptist Church, Boston

A. L. Stone Minister of Park St. Ch.

R. H. Neale, Pastor of the First Bap. Ch. Boston.

R. Anderson S. B. [Trear?] [pastors?] of [A. B. C. d M?]

N. Adams. Pastor of Union Church, Boston.

G. W. Blagden Sr. Pastor of Old South Church Boston

J. M. Manning Jr. Pastor of Old South Chh

Francis Homes Pastor 3^d Cong church Marblehead

This may certify that Rev J. W. Alvord is a ris in good standing & isegularly ordained minister of the gospel in the con-gregational church—is in good standing—& is well fitted—as we [unclear]—for a chaplaincy, either in a Hospital, or with the army in the field December 15^th 1862.

Reccommendation to Chaplaincy in [unclear] Dec 15, 62

Genl McClellan testified to the excellent work of Mr Alvord June 5 62

The officers and agents of the Quartermaster department are enjoined to render all proper aid to Mr. Hoard—He will be entitled to transportation for reading matter—certified to religious workds chiefly—on the public cars and boats—Rufus Ingalls Chief M. Marten