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

Wash. D. C. June 25. 1865

My Dear Daughter

I have been trying to get through so that I might be with you when you go to Winsted—& indeed if possible at your [illegible] Tomorrow evening though you do not invite me—but effort fails—Some things must be done more perfectly in Washington, or I shall be obliged to return before going to Hilton H^d. wh. I cannot afford to do—You of course can go just as well with-out me, & also, of course, you have improved in all ways, by the academic advantages of your school year, though your parents have not the satisfaction of seeing this at your Examination.

I want you to go over to the

[sideways on left side] Tell Mr Douglass I will attend to his Sabbath school when I come. Be a good gal from your aff father J. W. A.

P. S. Your letter was received It was very good I shall try to come to Mr. Well [illegible]. J. W. A.

Head Qrs Col L. M. Peck 173^d N. Y. Savannah July 25^th. 1865

My Dears,

Here in the tent of the Col. pitched within one of the shady squares of Savannah I write. He is well & so am I, mainly. Hot indeed, but cooler this morning after a sharp thunder storm last evening. The City more smiling than when I was here before. The people in the streets, not the ladies much, they needing the fashions but minus the money—so they stay inside where simpler skirts will do. Mrs Leff is stopping at the house where I am (Pulaski) [fatty?], & not interesting. She comes from a peg lower in caste, & is not admitted to the best circles here, seldom at the public table but we see here often in the parlor. Is evidently much unnoticed—Find my work, of some sorts en-couraging—especially the schools. Go tomorrow to Hilton H^d Beaufort & on to Charleston, then back to H. H^d & home in the next steamer if I can, But dont be certain—Return the 1^st & the 10^th. I shall surely be there (D. V.)—I wrote all

[letterhead] American Tract Society, (Instituted at Boston, in 1814,) NEW-YORK DEPOSITORY, No. 13 BIBLE HOUSE, ASTOR PLACE, NEW-YORK WILLIAM A. BOOTH, Esq., of New-York, President. Rev. JOHN W. ALVORD, Secretary. JOHN G. BROUGHTON, Depositary. Communications relating to the operations of the Society, and donations, may be sent to REV. JOHN W. ALVORD. All orders and remittances for the publications of the Society may be obtained by addressing JOHN G. BROUGHTON. New York,

[in pencil] St Augustine Fa. 1865

My Dears You had a line from me as I left. I came safely, with some suffering, to H. H^d. Jacksonville & here, & go tonight to Fernandina & Savannah—Am better now. Will be home D.V. soon after 1^st Augt—You will I suppose return to the house on the 1^st, or then abouts—This, prob-ably is the best plan, unless Anna M. has a house for you in B.lyn—Mr Coles said a man would take the house off our hands on 1st Augt if we wished—Do as you think best. If you are not to be in J City by 1^st of the month, please drop a line to Mr Cole saying he must wait a few days until I get home for the rent.

As to money I forgot it for you. Tell Chas. to advance you some, & I will pay him interest on it, ie. if you have no oppor-tunity of sending to N.Yk.

Love & c In health Yours as ever J. W. A