University of Virginia Library

Letter from Adelaide E. Case to Charles N. Tenney, 16 October 1861

Is not Addie rather
dilatory about writing to her absent but
never forgotten friend? If you knew how
busy she had been you would not wonder.
We have been bereft of a kind and
dear old uncle during the week and
I have just returned from his funeral
You doubtless, while in NC heard
of “Old Squire Sperry” as he was called
We feel his loss most deeply but still
we could not wish to prolong his stay and
see him suffer as he has during the past
month

What a dreary dismal day this is The
S snow has fell, almost unceasingly all

day It is the first that we
have had and it comes so driving
as if old winter's anger was roused at
the delay and wished [n]to throw it's
vengeance on the innocent and recding
fall. And then you know how aggravating it is
when we are imagining sleigh-rides and
kissing parties (redicolous) and all “sugch good
things” to have the snow melt as fast as
it comes. But let us change the discourse

What do you think of the supersession of
General Fremont I think it a shame to
this Government I think Fremont will
demand an investigation I hope so at least
I think he is better capable of the affair
than Hunter although the latter may be
a prudent man

I almost envy you your situation
if you have but one correspondent for
I have so many that I often neglect them
And Charlie is neglected the least of any
I always take pleasure in writing to you
more so than any other of my correspondents

except Kallie

What a foolish request you made in
your last letter, for me to burn your letter
Why dear Charlie you did not mean it did
you. I did not comply If you could see
the little box with Charlies letters in it
stowed away in one corner of my trunk
you would not wish me to leave a
vacant place. But it is so dark I can
not see thelines

Dear Charlie, I see that I have
made some ludicrous blunders trying to
write when I could not see, but I will
take it for granted that you have
excused them and drop the subject

Charlie, perhaps Addie is not quite as
deficient in the knowlede of Military
language as you may imagine, although
I confess my ignorance in that respect
to a great extent still I flatter
myself that I know more about it
now than I did one year ago

My little wife (Dora I mean) is up in

Cole-brook to her sisters I was up there
and made her a visit last saturday
and staid until monday. she intends
remaining (I can not spell) there during the
winter I shall be very lonesome with out
her merry laugh I always feel better
when I am with her And you must excuse
me if I do wrong but I let her blue
eye peep into your letters sometimes

She must see some passages at least
How is your health now dear Charlie You must
be very careful and prudent in regard
to your health for if I should learn that
you were ill I should so {underline} long to be with
you and supply your wants and you know
that it would not be very convenient
if you was way down in Charleston
Is Camp Warren located as beautifully
as Camp Dennison

I attended a musical concert a few evenings
ago. You know that I am a great lover of music
therefore it is needless for me to tell how
much I enjoyed it. I have learned a new piece
of music entitled "Mother dear O! pray for me"
I think it grand. Would that you were here
I would play it for you. Do you not like the title
If you can make out this long lingo I will call
you an uncommon smart "Sojor boy"