1861-10-15_Letter-A_Alvord-to-My-Dear

D Washington Oct 15¹⁵th 1861 My Dears I seize again a moment. Had hoped to have written yesterday, but calls on gentlemen and visit to comaps prevented. I am very well & still at Ms Bryans—she is very hospitable & he is agreeable. Both wish me to stay as long as I please—You wonder why I am not coming back this week. B.r Warren will call upon you & explain every thing. Some broader plans of effort are negotiating here, which seem to require my presence. There are many difficulties in the way, as so many diverse agencies of distribution have gone into operation—& what with jealousies & rivalries & ambitions it seems difficult to form our common plan There must be combination—so that the gov.t will not be beset by so many asking for the same thing, ie. reaquisition, passports, means of conveyance, endorsement &c, so that the thing will not only have dignity here at headquarters, but claims the confidence of patrons & the churches in all directions—the Young Mens Christian Associations by a national convention seems by & a central commission here, seem more compentent than any other body, to the performance of this distribution work, but as our Society have done more than any other in furnishing well adapted supplies we have to approve as an important element in ^such organizations^. Although all the

benevolent ^evangelical^ publishing institutions will be called upon to furnish supplies. This will make the work broad & Catholic in the fullest sense—& the Evangelical character of the young man will furnish guarantee for its purity as well as energetic execution—If they thus take the labor & expenses of distribution—we can use all our means in production, so that we can do the greatest good possible to the greatest num-ber. The above convention will take place probably in about a week & I am strongly urged to ^be there and^ to see that ^it goes^ through in good shape—I have some misgivings as to whether it can be got agoing, but it seems worth trying—So you mus be very patient in your lone-liness—The Lord will provide—Will come soon as I can. Saw Lewis, in his camp two days ago. He was well & seemed to be doing well, though their Reg.t & camp is not as perfect as many I have seen. Tere seems to be no immediate call for their going over the river—Their camp is near [Bladensburg?]. You can race it on the map. Five regiments be en-camped around them. Gen.l Graham in command L. has just sent home $200—to pay the family, in past, what he owes them, & says he shall continue to send all his surplus money—He can save a large amount, if he pleases, & declares he is determined to do so. & send it home—He thinks the same he sent will clear them from any pursuant embarassment—He told me of the death of Sophia. Ligetta having, in the acknowl-edgement of the money, giving the particulars of her demise. It is indeed sad, but how great the consolation that [showed?]

If you need money Mr Hill will furnish you—I think you better go in town once in 2 or 3 days. It will give you vanity, & you can then see all I write to know, & some things I may write to you they perhaps would like to see. It is very difficult to find time to write to either of you all I wish to. So many things I see that I should like put on paper, but even this I cannot do. Memory alone can contain & carry them. This war is an enormous struggle & its details are wonderful— Teh impression here is that Gen.l M^cClellan is gaining advantages of the enemy—though they are known to be very strong & a battle may take place at any moment—Well you ask B.r Warren if it will be proper to have me elected as a delegate from the Young Mens Soc. at Boston—to attend the National Convention. I think I am a member! Certainly was at first, as they will find my name on the records as one of the founders—This would give me opportunity to say & do some things which othewise I could not. M.r Sturgis could manage this if it can properly be done—There will of course be others appointed too Please see B.r W. at once in regard to it. I must close for I have much to do to day In haste yours affectionately J. W. Alvord Kiss the baby for me, & tell Julia to be a good girl, & as to Sammy I think perhaps he better come home for the winter. I will go that way & bring him if thought best Yours J.W.A