Letters of Rev. John W. Alvord

[printed] THE U.S. CHRISTIAN COMMISSION, Sends this Sheet as the Soldier's Messenger to his home. Let it haste to those who wait for tidings. General Sherman's Army Regt. Div. Army Corp 1865

[handwritten] Hilton H. Jan 7, 1864

My Dears

I find the Hosp^l Ship has gone & left me. She went much sooner than was expected while I was at Sav-annah, I dont care so much, as I can go in the regular packet — or wait for the ship on her 2^d voyage

You rcd a letter saying that I might not come as soon as expected. Things here are so full of interest that, now I am out, it is thought I should not hurry back. I am able to write many letters from here now, which do more for the

great prosperity—Ten schools are already organized in Savannah—& I have done much to introduce our literature among all the schools here in Beau-fort & on the islands adjacent.

Besides this, the army work I have put in shape both directly, & through the Christian Commission— What do you say to coming to Savannah to live? We will talk about it when I get home. Sammy might be a well boy in this beautiful climate. Julia will soon finish her schooling & be ready to teach, music too, I hope, and be

[small printed note on top]

Meeting of Chaplains.

A public meeting of chaplains and others interested in the moral and religious condition of the army, was held in the Rev. Dr. Butler's church on Saturday morning, 19th inst.

Dr. Butler called the meeting to order, and Rt. Rev. Charles P. McIlvaine being present, was invited to take the chair.

The object of the meeting was stated to be the more thorough combination of the chaplains, and of the modes of supplying religious reading and other Christian aid to the army and navy, and proposing that a Christian commission should be instituted, with its headquarters at Washington, D.C., through whom those supplying such matter can [page torn] agency certainty and promp-