University of Virginia Library

Letter from Adelaide E. Case to Charles N. Tenney, October 27 1861

I again had
the pleasure of perusing one of your kind
and interesting letters last saturday
and I can assure you that it afforded
much pleasure. Charlie if you could witness
the eagerness with which I grasp your
letters you would not hesitate to
leave your work to write to me. But
of course I would not ask you to
if you could not do so with convenience.
I think you must have received
another letter from me since you wrote
about the 12th of this month.
This is a beautiful day rather cool
but not more so than we should expect
for the season. Mr. James Beebe of

Ohio Seventh is here. I do not feel so
much like entertaining him as I do
Tenney of said Regt and
therefore act accordingly. He is trying
to guess who I am writing to

There has been quite abereavment
in one of the families of Mecca lately
Perry Barton of whom I mean was married
or, rather, entered into the
blissful state of matrimony
about four weeks ago and Saturday
morning he was found dead in his
bed. He died in a fit of apolexy
His brother died about three years ago
and now as he had arrived at the
same age that his brother was, he too is
cut down. How strange is life and how
uncertain.

So you imagined that I would think
you was writing , did you.
Well Charlie I know just how much
flattery and sentimentality to believe
It is an old sayingthatand

too true that it is natural
for women to desirebe some
flattery. But in many instances
it fails to prove its self at least
it does with me for "I had rather
kissed than flattered & as the "old
maids, say. Do not turn and say "I dont
doubt that" will you Charlie I feel as
if you, or I mean, I would enjoy singing
a little while would you come and assist
me. Got a cold, did you say? Oh well then
I will excuse you I attended a
Union ball last Friday evening
given in honor of the Sixth Ohio Cavalry
which will soon go to Warren I enjoyed
myself very well but should have been
better pleased if some of my absent
friends had been present I will
allow you to guess who I mean

Oh Charlie I have a compliment
for you from your Captain. He
said that Charlie Tenney (do you know
the gentleman) was the (now prepare for

the worst) best boy--I mean one of
the best boys in the Regiment

There I would that I could be there
and see you turn pale with surprise (ahem But Dear Charlie I guess you will say
that I am writing the nonsense
and you the sense wont you?

But I will be obliged to close
for tea is ready will you walk out
and sup with us? I wish you could.