Letters of Rev. John W. Alvord

[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-

very speedy from here to the Camp. Now I am trying with the most hearty cooperation of all parties here & in the camps) to inaugurate this system, & especially we are div-ving it up vigorously at the present moment as now the stillness of this enormous host, as if a thunder cloud before the storm, furnishes too glorious an opportunity to let two or three weeks be lost in waiting for any national convention. All here feel this — & on Saturday we had a great meeting of Chaplains & others at Dr. Butler's Ch. (to have matters start in the right quarter). We cannot publish the proceedings yet, as a com [committee] is to wait on Gen'l M^cClellan with resolutions in order first to have Chaplains themselves put in right position. (You cannot understand this, but the relation of these men to their colonels — their rank & privileges with fixed duties as to all they do &c needs to be regulated by the Gen'l commanding). We think he will do it, & had Bishop M^cIlvane, who happened to be present as the meeting — & who as you know was once Chaplain at West Point — put on as chairman of the committee which waits upon M^cClellan. This carries into effect the 1^st Resolution of the meeting. The 2^d. is in regard to the im-portant auxiliary of Reading matter—& strongly recommending the above Commission—& the 3^d. advising that said com. furnish also facilities for holding religious services such as preaching tents, or other shelter in winter quarters also comforts for the sick &c. The chaplains can do better with many of these latter things than the Sanitary Committee — Winning by their use affection, confidence & increased interest in their spiritual services. I will send you these resolutions soon. (In the mean time see gen'l notice enclosed of the meeting.)

[sideways on left side] Walker of Ct. 4^th says call the paper Stars & Stripes—with the motto beneath (large) "In the name of the Lord will I lift up my Banner" [Wave?] your flag at the head will of course remain Dont you like this?