1863-02-28_Letter-A_Alvord-to-MyDear

Head Quarters 35 NYk Stoneman's Switch Va

Feb 28. 1863

My Dears,

Two letters (one from the "loving daughter") came last evening dated Jan 27th and Feb 18th "One wine"—but "good", of course I think "distance lends enchantment" &c. The explanation is that they stopped as directed to "Genl Howard Aquia Creek"—Should have been "Head Qua. Genl Howard" or simply "Washington D. C." There being no Genl H. at A. Creek, However all is right now, as I have written before. The letters have been well kept & the Daguerreotypes are uninjured. Thank you for them, but I must have yours, homely or handsome, I took you "for better or worse" substance &

[postscripts in margins] The milk sent was recieved in good order with the other things, but was a bad article. All sour and turning to curd in the liquid tea or coffee, looking & smelling, when first opened like Dutch cheese The recipe for this condensed milk, is one quart of milk one pound white sugar Boil down a little more than one half. I then cut when cold into cakes — try it.

Shall expect your particular Box in a few days

shadow too. Both letters are very good although most too old to reply to — Julias however is so "unique", a "rara avis"—The first to be followed, I hope by others. I am quite interested too by the minute description of school duties & "examination". Every thing there looks very thorough, and I am happy that she has ambition. Please enclose in the next a copy of the "composition[''] spoken of. — My kind remembrance to Mr & Mrs Clafflin Mr. Sellers Ashton &c. Thank them from me for their kind attentions to you. —I accept of them as attentions to myself personal.

You ask when I am coming home? I believe I have answered this question — but will repeat. In prospect, I am coming about the first of April. Then if convenient, for you to want me in NYork for any such length of visit as you choose to make, I shall be delighted to see you — or, if you prefer

to wait until the Boston Anniversary after which, we may pick up things & come to NYork & stay. Of course you would not want to make a visit if, in a few weeks, you are to come where I live. We should, in that case, take board for a while, until we could look around. Have you done any thing about the houses? Dont offer them too low, Every body I see from the with North speaks of Real Estate now as the very best investment — & that its value is rapidly rising. Have this P.M. seen the Newton Co. They are in good health & spirits. Some of them are coming in the morning to my hut for reading matter to supply the Regt for the Sabbath.

The condition of the whole Army is excellent, some grumbles of course, because there are so many croakers at home. Nothing demoralizes the troops so much as this "fire in the rear," this

prating about politics & Presidents, this poison of a semi disloyalty thrown in among the soldiers by those at home the letters of those whom they love & who of all others can most influence them. What do all the people at home mean, when the great question is "To be or not to be"?

Here, there will be a cheerful readiness to move forward as soon as the roads permit. No one doubts that this is the intention of Genl Hooker, & may God bless the right, there will be a crash every where before long for things are approaching a crisis.

Have been very bust this week & next week go to Belle Plain and Hope Landing for a few days.

You speak of saving my "cotton shirts". They are saved as well as "packed up in a trunk" can save them for I have not worn one since I have been home. My woolen ones do for camp, & company, & Capitol

Love J W Alvord