Letters of Rev. John W. Alvord

[Letterhead] American Tract Society, Instituted at Boston in 1814. William A. Booth, Esq., of New York, President. Rev. John W. Alvord, Secretary. New York Agency and Depository, at No. 13 Bible House, Astor Place, New York. Where all the Publications of the Society may be obtained the same as in Boston, by addressing John G. Broughton. Communications relating to the operations of the Society and donations, may be sent to Rev. John W. Alvord, Secretary, at the same place. New York,

[Handwritten] Jan 6th 1864

My Dear

Your letter of 2^d only came this A. M. I had been wondering you did not write, & hasten to reply. Have been to New Jersey again, & am doing what I can, but it is very hard starting our work here in such times as these. I get a chance to preach about half the time. My health, I think, suffers some from confinement at the office, but have been taking medicine & hope to be better. At Brooklyn they are well as usual. Though have not seen them since Christmas day. John the boy brings me the news. I did not go out any where on New Years. As to

Soc. & in collecting funds than any thing I could do in the same time at home.

My only anxiety is that you may need something which I ought to be there to supply. But as I lay awake last night thinking what it could be, there really was nothing that I could think of.

I am quite well, & bear the carrying here by sea & land finely.

You are all well I hope. I must have you with a kind Providence.

The Army will move

Boston May 27^th. 1864.

My Dear

Your letter stating your bad condition came this morning. I am sorry— we seem to have sorrow upon sorrow, my heart gives out, &, with the poor health I too have, it seems almost daily that I must cease struggling— or pass into the condition of a man utterly broken down.

I have suffered greatly here this week. My head now dont en-dure scarce any effort, & while the meetings have been interesting & our society has had a fine Jubilee I have had to remain comparatively quiet, & behind the scenes. An effort has been made to get the 50,000 dollar fund & we are partially succeeding, over $19,000

having been obtained from the platform. I send you a paper of this morning. We — in the society—feel encouraged, But what am I to do? Work I cannot. Shall I resign? How then can we live? and so it seems there is a kind of death either way. I can only ac-cept the office again offered me, & sink into an imbecile & of course constantly censured discharge of its functions—But they want great things done in New York. These can be accomplished by me only as the great grace, & almost miracle of God interposes. We must do what we can, and trust. I will be home soon as I can—perhaps not before the first of the week. Write me by next mail & with love to all

Yours J. W. Alvord

[letterhead] American Tract Society, (Instituted at Boston in 1814,)

NEW-YORK DEPOSITORY, No. 13 BIBLE HOUSE, ASTOR PLACE, N. Y.

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.

[in pencil] On board Gen'l J. K. Barnes at Sea Dec 24 1864

My Dears

We are just outside the highlands—about 50 miles from N. York—Day pleasant— cold, not very rough, for we are hugging the shore with wind at Northwest

Ship clean, but new and a little unfurnished & rough. Have a convenient state room with 3 hearths in—& so you see am getting along pretty well 29^th so far, & very sick since

In port last night & feel better to day—Sav^h as you know has fallen & I am