University of Virginia Library

Letter from Adelaide E. Case to Charles N. Tenney, 1861 December 7

Do you not think I should
be thankful for the long list of letters
I have received from Mr. Tenney during
the past two months? Have you not
written to me? I think I have not
been the happy recipient of one letter
from my friend Charlie since Capt.
Aspen returned to his company.
I thought it strange. If Hal had
not been with you I should have thought
you was ill.

Mr. George Moore was here yesterday. he said
you were well. I inquired of all those
I know in Co. H. We spoke of you
(now don't feel flattered) in very pleasing

terms. I showed him the sketch of
Weston that you sent me. He pronounced
it very natural with the exception of
an old log back of the Campthat where
Wash. slept one night. He then
related the circumstance which, perhaps
you know better than myelf.
Camp Dennison, he said looked almost
like home.

Oh, Charlie I had some sport the other
evening. James Beebe came here. I was busily
reading one of Hal's letters when I heard
a rather timid rap on the door. I arose
and opened when who should appear but
said Beebe. I seated a chair for him and
resumed my reading - You know how I
detest him - He hemmed a few times took
his hat and laid on the floor then drew
his chair near the table and took up
an ambrotype, which he had seen time

after time. But he must do something
I presume he felt more like a man with
that before him than waiting in awkward
silence for me to make a move. But not
long did he wait. I arose with “Do you
wish to see my father! I will call him.“
And stepped toward the door. “Ahem
Miss Addie,” he stammered out, I turned
“I - I thought I'd call and see if you'd
let me stay with you a little while”
he at last said. I told him - well
guess what. At that moment he
heard father coming toward the door
when he sprang and went out like
a deer, leaving me so convulsed
with laughter that it was some
time after father came in before
I could explain to him.

Would that I could describe that mans
looks as he sat by the table

I shall live at my aunt's and
attend school at east Mecca this winter
and in the spring go to Oberlin.
I had thought I should go to O
this winter but found I could not prepare
myself. I was some what disappointed when
I found I could not go. But we have to
meet disappointments.

I attended a lecture a few evenings
since of one of our missionaries. And
it seemed as if I never heard of
such a mind as that man possessed
The quick thoughts glowing with poetic
imagery. the fervid eloquence seemed
to lift the hearer to some lofty stand
point and I could almost see the
far famed luxuriance of Eastern
chimes, or behold the vast crowds held
in thralldom of debasing errors till
my heart glowed to stretch forth my hand
to those perishing ones and pluck them
as “brands from the burning”

And thus I compared them with the
vast numbers of slaves held in subjugation
in my own country. This beautiful America!
It was then I prayed that this war
might never closesh until our land
should be freed from the curse of

slavery. The gentleman's
name was Rev. Mr. Cooley.
As I gazed on that man
I thought “How many noble sentiments
are cherished in the heart which are
never brought to light, because the
energy necessary to carry them into
effect is wanting. A few untoward
circumstances are enough to dampen
the zeal and put an end to the finest
suggestions.”

Lieut. Wood is home, I have not seen him
as yet but intend to. We have not
had much sleighing yet.today seems
more like spring than winter

Dora is still in Colebrooke. I was up there
to see her thursday she said when I
wrote to send her “Love sack” but it
is so large I can not get it in

this letter. Laurie sends love

You will write as soon as you receive
this wont you dear friend. I get so
anxious to hear from you