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

[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

[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] Beaufort S. C. Augt 4 1865

My Dears

Had arranged to come in the Steamer Spaulding—but she is full to overflowing with Irish Troops & very unpleasant accommodations so that I am advised strongly to wait until Monday or Tuesday when another & much better Steamer sails.

In the mean time I go to Savannah again, & shall see Lewis

Some important business too I can do.

Am quite well—very hot but the cooling fruits of the south keep me in excellent condition

[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

Wash D. C. Sept 14, 1865 My Dear Wife

Yours, speaking of many things is here. Am sorry for the sake of Julias feelings that she did not pass the examination. But there is some good reason, hereafter to be developed. She need not feel bad, or only so bad as we all should under the dis-appointments so common to this life, which are all intended for our profit. She needs perhaps more such. Her past has not been thickly strewed with them. If any thing is to be regretted it may be that time (a week or so) was not taken for review—at least to have known what studies were to be the subject of examination. College students even never think of approaching the ordeal without being thus informed & prepared. Their whole preparatory course being with reference to the precise books to be used at the ex.

A second trial, thus prepared, may not be best, but it may be very properly due the candidate. You can think of it. I shall be at home. D. V. before the time when she must enter Dr. M.[C.]][illegible] & will endeavour to help in this thing, whatever the indicated course shall be.

[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