Letters of Rev. John W. Alvord

Washington, [Nov?] 7 /61

My Dear -

I told Br. W. yesterday that I should write to you today. Mr. Stewart of Phil. has been here 2 or 3 days & kept me from writing. He has been with me to the Camps & Hospitals. A wonderful man he is so earnest in his efforts so tender in his appeals so large hearted — this Camp work just suited him. His two daughters are with him — interesting young ladies & faithful Christians. We made a carriage load of missionaries & four hands you know could labor w advantage (two on either side of the carriage) — Mr. Stewart became so interested in the books that in his visits even to the high officers of the state & of war he has been presenting them all with samples, & urging them to patronize their circulation —no matter whether they were themselves Christians or not. I saw him doing this with a number, & he told me he gave them to the President & had a long and earnest talk with him on the subject — & the Prest. responded most cordially to what we were doing. There is no difficulty now in the way of our largest efforts but funds. I wish every body saw the white harvest field now open. I am sure they would not withhold. You ask about stockings &c. These are good & in many instances will be greatly needed. The Govt [bureaus?] are doing nobly now, & the Sanitary Commission. Miss Dix and others, are making weekly their appeals & very large supplies are forthcoming. My impression is that the souls of the men are suffering more than their bodies