Letters of Rev. John W. Alvord

-gry as well as wounded. From the deep wells of the place, we drew water to quench their thirst—two strong men constantly pump-ing all day. Limbs were am-putated—bullets extracted—med-cine given—and as night came on, the vast multitude like weary children hushed down to quietness. Except as broken by the groans of those whose pain prevented sleep. We felt happy at the comparative comfort we saw about us—But a little after midnight that most [?] cry came again "to Arms"! "Retreat"! The enemy are after us"! Dark clouds were rolling over the [?], &, before we could start, torrents of rain came pour-ing down. The moaning patients,

half asleep, were not told of the movement. It seemed cruel to disturb them & it was im-possible to take them along— But, the ears of wounded men are sensitive, and no sooner had the guards mounted & passed on silently, than, from one [?] of straw to another over that great field the whisper of [engiving?] ran & then the alarm, whoever could stand ^struggled^ to his feet. Those too weak for that commenced wailing over their sad fate. It was enough to melt a heart of stone. In a few minutes a crowd of crippled staggering over were on their doleful way, some for the second third & fourth time fleeing from the enemy. I cannot describe

that day. In the rain & mud these thousands hobbled on, many, with broken limbs & gaping wounds still uncared for, canes & crutches made of stokes & pickets from the fences—the [hindered?] ambulances, filled at an early hour, unable to carry more. Horses tired out, Roads were [choked?]. O what a scene! & the enemy still after us, on our rear they hung, & but for that wall behind us of brave men & officers (God bless them ) who only retreated with backward steps & fighting, our fate had been sealed.

Harrisons Landing on James River was reached at length, and

upon its gloomy muddy banks the tens of thousands threw them-selves & cried for food & help.

Did you ever hear more cry as children do? I saw & heard them it makes me even now weep to remember it We were utterly unable at first to comfort, or relieve their wretchedness. They lay in haggard heaps, and for three long days with very scanty stores their wants quickened our steps & excited all our energies. At length Steamers were loaded with the most severely wounded. Transports came up the river with food. Kind hands & hearts to help were with them. The army herd of oxen came within reach & bullocks were again slaugh-tered—cut to pieces with soldiers knives & boiled into nourishing soup. I even now have before me that encircling mass of famine. I see it stretching out its thousand hands I hear the clamerous roar of voices begging for food long before it was ready— the hundreds not able to rise from the cold ground were fed first. Then

incidents, or exact description.

Be thankful that you are yet too youn to mingle in such scenes—Love your suffering country & pray for it—Love soldiers who are every hour exposed to death. Help, in every way you can these courageous brothers who struggle to stop this great rebellion—and do not fail in all this war to send to them abundently the gospel of Jesus Christ.

J. W. A.

Head Quarters 35^th N. York Vols Stonemans Switch March 23, 1863

My Dear

You do not write me of late_ I hope you are well but you keep me quite in suspense_ My own health is good, only as I have one of my bad teeth troubling me, I shall be obliged to have it out. The health of the whole army is now excellent, & all are in good spirits. We expect to move before long & this time of rest with the troops will then be at an end. There is considerable religious [retrust?] in the Regts now throughout the entire army, meetings are

held in many Regt every eve-ning—& some conversions are occurring—This morning at 10^a[m?] I had one of my chaplains meetings, full & interesting, those present giving most cheering ac-counts of the state of things in connection with their labors. Have you received any letters in the last four weeks? I wrote one to the Sabbath Schools—& every now & then to you, but all is silent in reply—Last evening a Chaplain came in, looking very serious, & opening a telegram slip read aloud "Sammy is very low of con-gested brain." I started, of course, but it proved to be his Sammy, not mine!—I send you some photographs— Do you want more? Send a few of mine sitting—Mr. Fernald

a student of Newton Seminary is with me now—a good young man & helping me in distribution. my work is now in Gen^l Reynolds Corp on the left, but we are also supplying the immense body of troops about ^in^ [here?].

The army are quite encouraged at the readiness of the people at home, to come & help under the [late?] enrollment act In all directions indeed things look encouraging

You speak of the interest on the Treasury 7/30 notes as not being due until april—How many Notes are there? I think something must be wrong—Please look at the Notes for yourself—There should be $[unclear].00—Keep [controled?] about the House—We dont want to

sell it until somebody wants it Also, the same in regard to the Houses in S. Boston—Real Estate is now the last property we can have, & we could buy nothing at the present prices.

Saw Edward [Blusterd?] & dined with him—Tell Mrs B. I had a piece of her mince pie & something else good. I cant now think what. Edw is very healthy—I hear [Jaking?] has been very sick with fever—but is, or was, recovering Do you know any thing about it, I write home but never get any returns. Do let me hear from some of you—Dont now fill a letter with apologies, Write all about every thing. Love to all—Affectionately

Yours as ever J. W. A.

[Sideways on page:] Put down in the [expense?] BK $10 in each month since you did it for my personal [expenses?]

Head Quarters Maj Genl Howard April 6, 1863

My Dears Your two good letters came last evening.

Julia's I have been looking over critically—It is cer-tainly an improvement—some slight discrepencies were noticed some inelegances of [phrazes?]—But I will not now correct either— Letter writing may be much more free & easy in style—(always graphic & sketchy)— than the grave essay on some given Theme. It certainly should always avoid the blue-stocking school-madam precision. But at the same time must never [draw?] into the slang vocabulary of the vulgar. most especially if it be a lady who writes.

[sideways on left side:] P.S [Mich?] Whitman has written about coming out, & I have answered encouragingly—would he make a good Chaplain?