Letters of Rev. John W. Alvord

[in pencil at top] Duplicate

Culpepper Court House Va August 11, 1862

My Dears,

I started in a Hospital Steamer—but it was detained. I thought it a good time to see to things in Washington and in this army. I was just in season for the slaughter which the recent battle made. Genl Bank's command fought desperately and have suffered much in consequence. The 2^d Mass, especially. Mr Quint is safe. He went over the rebel lines yesterday with a flag of truce. The wounded have suffered beyond description in this heat. About one thousand were brought here and last night three trains of them left for Washington. This P.M. two more trains will go. I have been working quite hard but feel well though weary. One gets so used to these awful scenes. I look at mangled men thinking only of what will relieve them and this prevents the mere physical sympathy

Do not make public my plans for our more immediate responsibilities in the above commission in case the young men fail. I think we ought to have a man abroad here in the army even if the whole work is assumed by them—as we have prominent & special interests which will need looking after, we could perhaps have the nomination at least indirectly of one of the camp agents. Perhaps the one man who undertakes this work at first —(for it will be best to begin with only one) he will have the helm of the whole concern in hand, the despository agent him being only engaged in receiving & delivering packages. Though all, of course must be under the direction of the gen'l committee, and the earnest enquiry here now is who shall this man be. They have but little stuff in Washington for such use,

Had you not better go at once to N. York — fix matters with [illegible] & John, see Bush & the Young Men. Know as soon as possible, what is to be done & have a little hand in gearing the machinery. I feel the need of an operator at that end of the line. Have written Bush, but get no reply, & fear he is still sick, cannot tell you yet when I can come. Rev. Quint insists upon my coming up to Darnestown, & Gen'l Banks has invited me to do so. Please answer all my cor-respondence there on my table. Dont let it accumulate. Rev. Childs is good for the colportage , & press hard up the collections, especially in Boston vicinity. Please see the schedule of time in association at the right hand of my desk.

Yrs J. W. A.