Letters of Rev. John W. Alvord

Phil^a Nov 15. 1864

My Dears

Reach^d here at 9^oC & found Br Stewart at 2012 Race St, a long way up town.

Am well & go on at 12^oC to-morrow.

Saw Anna [Marie?] before leaving in N.Yk., who wants the stove. I told her she might have it & we would get a larger size—& that the change would be made next week—

I have since thought whether we could not put that old [illegible] in place of the Stewarts—fixed up & made tight—for a while at least. The pot is large & burns strongly—If it sh^d not do we can then send for the larger size of Stewarts —If it sh^d do, then it will save us some expence, especially as when we leave the house we may not want any stove. We sh^d probably about use up the old thing this winter & it can be made to look pretty well— What do you say?—If so the change

[letterhead] War Department, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, Washington, Oct 1^st, 1865.

My Dear

It is Sabbath evening, but I must write a word. We were de-tained over night in Phila & reached here at 9^oC last evening. Mrs Howard & the children tired enough—She looks blue today as she goes over this great dirty house, The Gen'l charges homesick-ness upon her. Dont wonder.

Have heard today, at the new Cong'l Ch. or one wh. they hope will be new Rev Mr. Johnson, formerly of Bowdoin St. Ch. Boston—He is now Pastor of the new Congl Ch in Baltimore—Good sermon. Am well as usual—Hope you all are. Shall have work enough at the office tomorrow

Love J. W. A.

Philadelphia Oct 9. 1861

My Dears

I am so far on & well_ Am obliged to stop, as you see all along for business purposes, & on the whole am quite successful. Reached here last evening & leave for Baltimore this evenin at 10/2 ^oC. It is cooler to day & do not suffer from the [illegible] as I did for a number of days. Masketoes here are so thick that I prefer going on in the night to going to bed. Thick too they were in Brooklyn. Am sorry Father & George should have gone off so abruptly. I thought to be sure they would stay on till I come back. So I fixed it with George_ but I suppose father was away & then his [cow]! I am wondering how you get along with the new girl. I am much more content than if I had left you with Annie. Shall be at home soon as possible next week, but not likely till the latter part. Do not be concerned for me nor afraid for your selves—we shall all be taken care of. I am in a nice Hotels— better than the one we had when you were here /Washington House/ & have every comfort. Shall hear from you at Washington, D.C./Washington all in Brooklyn send love

Truly yours J.W. [Alvord]

A Philadelphia Oct 9. 1861

N. Broughton, Esq

Dear Bro,

Please send to the Presbyterian Publication Committee — Charles S. Luther ^Depository^ 1334 Chesnut St. 40 copies Memo. Vol. 1.00 - 40.00 10 [illegible] —1.50—15.00 1/3 off $55.00

Also samples of all your best things including the army books—with catalogues of all you publish—placards &c.

Mr Luther ( I saw [illegible] at [illegible) will take hold of our books strongly especially the Memorial. The ^[dist.]^ Sec. of the Am. Board is in the same building & will aid all he can. I think they will have the city canvassed by some individual. Let the [illegible] of samples be, not too many, but choice—I have proposed to furnish our books in quantities to this ^Presbyterian^ Board with their imprint — & as they are short of works of their own, hope to be able to supply them largely. At present however, they ^will^ see what they can do in selling our editions. Baptist Board[s] are well supplied & we are in good repulation with them. Business in general here is dull—^Both^ Martion & English &c. think well of us, but have all they need at present, also Mrs. Hamilton. All want you to send samples of new books. At S.S. Union left some samples of soldiers books to be

P.S. I go on slowly as you see, but must get this distribution of army matter going thoroughly, & the young men here are much slower to move than they were in N. York. It takes a great deal of talking, but it will go. Bro. Collyer was a little too fast in his printed circular — seeming to interfere with the central com. here in Phil, but I have explained every thing, & the committee, an hour since, assured me that they would now go forward & call the convention in about two weeks. Cannot Mr. Sturgis be made the Boston delegate at least one of them — will you see to this? Leave for Baltimore 10^ocp.m. Let the samples from S.School come in Luther Box. Also samples for others if you have any to send which they have not yet had.

Yours J.W.A.

P.S. The chapter of advice ^(in the Soldiers' books)^ is severely criticised by army officers. Advises to what the soldiers cannot have — can you make a new version of it —Tell Br Warren this — Also will you ask him if he cannot make arrangements to get to Fitchburg for a coll. in all the churches — Now is the time for them

J. W. Alvord Oct 9. 1861.