Letters of Rev. John W. Alvord

I am quite interested in the descriptions given. Mothers letter is rather down hearted. I am not sure but that we are all in the way of duty—were it not for this roundabout view of our case I should be downhearted too. About the future I am not disposed to worry so much about things personal, as in regard to public matters—If this sad war is settled in a permanent, loyal, peace we, as individuals, must surely find some niche—If not, then we have nothing in this world of any worth. Home, & every thing pertaining thereto—except as we might find it in a foreign land, is swept from us Sacrifices from all, in view of what is before us, has not in my judgment yet commenced. Perhaps I had better leave the army, but what, in that case, should I do? "Others can go", But, that "Others can go" has hitherto ruined us. "All" are to be now enrolled—& this

only will save us, every nerve must be strained—Better not do any thing actually about selling until I come— only as you may have some capital offer—We may not go to N. York Mr. [Aradly?] is there now & doing pretty well, not needing me at present as they write. What I shall do, is all [maintain?], as you are so dissatisfied—will rack my brains over whatever new plans I can conceive of & let you know.

In my last— I said that I sh^d be in [Btn?] (D.V.) the week before Anniversary, & enquired if you would be there—That letter you probably did not receive. I think others of mine you fail of receiving as you do not notice them in your replies.

My health is quite good—or rather about as it has been, & my work seems acceptable to the Army. Many other societies however are now

crowding in with great friends & many to work, so that per-haps I shall be relieved entirely. What shall we do in that case? If Mr. Headly answers the purpose in N. York as he promises to. I hardly seem need-ed at all—certainly not in Boston. What next? We have tried many crooks & [his?] in life. some other one, in that case, will open I have no doubt.

Have had my Chaplains meeting this morning—a tent full & could hardly stop it, such was the tide of interest. Accounts from all parts of the Army (of its moral & religious condition) are encourageing.

Affectionately as ever J. W. A

P.S. Just now rvd, a noble letter from Miss [Bannister?] with $20—

[print on paper, handwritten strike through] ADDRESS: Massachusetts Soldiers' Relief Association CORNER PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE AND SEVENTH STREET. Washington. D. C. 1863

Head Qrs Maj Gen^l Howard Army Potomac Va Apl 13, 1863

My Dears

I dont hear, but will write, am well & at work in this corps—many Germans are among these Regts eagerly singing all, in their language, I [hear?], & crying for [more?]. Hope, as I have this morning written to Mr Broughton, that they will send me on a good [swantily?]—The army appear about to move, keeping me so busy that I know not to be wary to go first. Mr

[Narum?] wants me to write a great deal for the papers—The Dist. Sec^s are all [of?] [the?] [men?] for letters—[Many?] writings for Chaplains in the difft. Divisions occupy my time, & yet I have to traverse this whole Army. My little Depots at various points to draw from, besides the main one here. Two trains are now given me, & additional soldiers to help, but it all keeps my head, if not heart— quite full.

Have you seen a circular this Sec^s are getting out? It has, I hear, the pictures of me on it, Dont you think they are doing too much in this personal line? The engravings also are not their very best. The whole group is [wider?] [descriptive?] of [sceness?] of interest—battle work before Richmond— but am I as handsome as they make me? Certainly not as good—I am thinking perhaps I ought to write to the children [reaches?] of the [C at Home?] some [a/c?] of

that work as explanatory. Will it be in good [taste?]?

Yesterday we had survivors in a large tent of the 17th Ct. near here. Gen'l Howard & a portion of his staff attended & the place was crowded. It made the soldiers stare to see their Maj. Gen'l come in & go straight up & sit down beside the the Chaplain. The service was well conducted & good. This Regt is from Fairfield Co. & quite a company from [Stearford?]—They came around me glad to see one whom some of of them remember in childhood. After Ch. went on through the Corps distributing—a young gentleman by the name of [Bless?]—private Sec. of Genl Wil-son accompanying me—Rather more than the usual rush came round us making him work away under special excitement—Saw in our tour, Capt, or now, Major Wheeler & Capt Edward Blas-land—the latter is not well, & is getting a furlough for the Officers Hospital at Washington He is not very sick, walking about camp, but needs rest,

My own service in one of the Regts was suddenly broken up by an order for movement, exactly what, no one seems to know. But every thing was astir—& through the night there has been firing in the distance, moving of baggage waggons—& Rail R^d trains going past every little while—It may mean nothing—as such stirs are common, or it may mean that htis is our last day on this ground—Every thing is ready at the word. God help the [night?]

You do not write whether you will meet me in N. York the week before the anniversaries—I can go no further now, unless some-thing special calls—It will have to be as last year, This is the very busiest time of the season with army operations—commencement of campaign— Hoping to hear from you soon, & to know that you are all well, with much love I am as ever

Yours affectionately J. W. Alvord

Genl Birneys Div. Hospital Army of the Potomac Apl 16, 1863

My Dears

I am belated & so drive up & stop here. It is a large tented Hospital in the field, which has been lately moved back over Potomac Creek where, in case of battle, all will be safe—the late storm has been very severe every stream overflowing its banks but the need is not yet as deep as I have seen before—Have been distributing among the troops of Gen'l Howard who are all packed up ready for the start—In my way called on Capt [Blusland?]—He is no worse but the Dr. thinks he should have a furlough & I have been [unknown] for him with Gen'l Howard—

I have just received the circular Is't it ridiculous? This poking me under every bodys nose— Well, it's out & I'm to give & bear it, If it will bring money very well, & yet that I have doubt of.

The religious interest in many Regts is delightful—In one 40 or 50 conversions—Yesterday morning I was awakened by the singing of a meeting of young converts in my large tent—They had gone in unknown to me, & seemed full of enjoyment. This morning, it was the same, only I was awake, and I heard them going in—Larger numbers were present. The chaplains are greatly en-couraged. Found today that Gen'l Howard had sent an orderly over to my guards with letters & am sure that one or two of them are from you.

17^th Stonemans

Dont find the letters from you— & am disappointed—From all other quarters they come punctually The movement dont take place & so we are all at work again as before—Mr. Johnson formerly of the Bowdoin St Ch—now of Bangor is with me—We are to each preach tomorrow in two Regts [more?] [in?]—The weather is now very pleasant. Enclosed for a 10 [toll?] Richmond Bill as a cur-iosity. It is good southern money— Keep it—also Daguerreotype of Mr. [Cross?]—And of Genl Caldwell

Yours affectionately J. W. Alvord

P.S. Tomorrow is my birth day Born 18^th Ap'l 1807—[unknown] 56.