Letters of Rev. John W. Alvord

prating about politics & Presidents, this poison of a semi disloyalty thrown in among the soldiers by those at home the letters of those whom they love & who of all others can most influence them. What do all the people at home mean, when the great question is "To be or not to be"?

Here, there will be a cheerful readiness to move forward as soon as the roads permit. No one doubts that this is the intention of Genl Hooker, & may God bless the right, there will be a crash every where before long for things are approaching a crisis.

Have been very bust this week & next week go to Belle Plain and Hope Landing for a few days.

You speak of saving my "cotton shirts". They are saved as well as "packed up in a trunk" can save them for I have not worn one since I have been home. My woolen ones do for camp, & company, & Capitol

Love J W Alvord

P.S. Thank you for remembrance at the throne of grace. Health just tolerable. A Lt. just now in my room from 2^d Corps says the troops are all in good spirits and confident of success. His corps are at Thoroughfare Gap—other corps are beyond while 6^th Corps are with Hooker at Fairfax. The fighting yesterday as he came along was in the vicinity of Aldie. Now will work for the holy day.

J. W. A.

Please send me your last full "catalogue_ & can you give me another perfect set of samples. Gentlemen call to whom I want to show these things. It will help you to have the books [illegible] and known.