Letters of Rev. John W. Alvord

duplicate [pencilled in]

Camp Winfield Scott 1st Ct. Artillery April 30

My Dear I have just dropped in from the rain with Chaplain Walker & seize a pen to tell you how I am. This morning just as I had left the Head Quarters who should I meet but Dr Kirk & Messrs Toby & Hardin who had ridden up from [illegible] Pt. in the storm to see the works--How it did pour! But off we started to Gen Heintzelman Head Quarters through the lines to near where the pickets lie and our seige Battery is planted. It was fortunate for us that the fog was thick for we were within short rifle range of the rebels. We obtained plain sight of their fortifications & their guns. We did expect & shot might be sent from them, for we must have looked -- standing mounted as we did in a row at the farthest edge of an orchard, with an orderly mounted, very much like the staff of some Gov't officers. The beauty of spring time was about us, beautiful [illegible]

in any immediate danger, but of course will be ordered forward when the general struggle comes-- God will preserve them may we not trust. Your good letter came last evening All you write about I will see to when I come.-- Expect to preach to morrow to the 5th New York (Zouaves) near Head Quarters & go to the Fortress on Monday.

Well really have I not written a long letter. You may thank the rain, for I found here a little fire in Chaplain Walkers tent & my horse under shelter. It pours literally. This Reg has just been paid & the tent around me is crowded with soldiers asking the Chaplain to send their money home for them. Some 12 or 15 000 $ will go in this way from this single Regiment-- One boy who gets 13 doll per month has just told me that since the war commenced he has sent 117$-- This spoke well for [illegible]. _Good bye for I must get back to Head Quarters

The Lord bless and preserve you. [illegible] J. W. Alvord

[postscript in margin] Have just heard it is expected the seige guns will open on Monday.