University of Virginia Library

Letter from Adelaide E. Case to Charles N. Tenney, 1862 July 17

Even to old Mecca
your precious letter found its way and how
joyfully I received and read it.
Dearest, while reading your noble and true thoughts
I can hardly realize that hun
dreds and hundreds of miles separate us. I seem to see
you and listen to your darling words. your
presence seems ever near me strengthening
me to bear this ordeal through which I
am passing - our separation. But I sat down
to answer your letter.
How sorry I was dear that you could not
obtain a leave of absence. I read the order

prohibitting furloughs - even to the sick and
wounded. I think it too bad Dost wonder
dearest that I read it with a sinking heart.
Now Charlie you must be very very careful in
regard to your health for should you be taken
ill, the blessed boon of "coming home" would
be refused and think you I could live knowing
that Charlie was ill and suffering : no
never! I am glad that you have some more
favorable approximation of writing for I have missed
your welcome letters very much but darling after
g receiving such a reproof I trust I shall
never again be guilty of scolding you even if you
do not write but once a month. Your rebuke
was the more affectual because it was given so
quietly but I will try never to mind one again.
Am I not a good girl for promissing so readily ?
Wait and see how well I fullfil it. So be
sure darling. I should love to receive the __ kiss
but I should prefer receiving it from a different
motive No, no dearest I do not needlessly
suffer on account of you and Hallie for if you
and Hal should be taken away what oh what
would be life ? A wilderness deprived of all
its charms?. Do not call it needless anxiety
Oh! what a letter her Hal wrote me a few days
since. He says "Addie", Charlie is very dear to
you, so is your brother but rather than pro-
tract this war by a final defeat at Richmond
let us both be found dead on the field and
let our last words be "Onward to Victory
and Union!" Why did Hallie write me such
a letter. Ah! how fearfully my heart beat while
reading it and it does now. But I will
not dwell on such thoughts. Jesus will
spare you darling and I know God will.
I had not heard of Edwin Williams death
His pooor sister Heda ! If she loved him a
sincerely as he did her I fear the knowledge
was a fearful blow. While speaking of her
I have seen the tears spring to his eyes
and she would be obliged to leave the room
because he would not repress his emotions.
How many a noble youth has fallen while striving
to supress this rebellion "I think you are a learned man
is all the answer I shall make in regard to
the remarks you made upon Catholicism
You gave me a beautiful description of the 4th.
I believe I have written once or twice how I spent
"When future favors Charlie will come " When did you not
say. "When the coming present favours you" for the future
never comes. Strange that you do not hear from Hal
He tells me that he writes often to you. Laura has
answered for herself and Dora might answer if she
would but she she says she does not know whether she
is an idiot or a girl of sense for it is so warm
and she attended a party last evening and feels
the effects of it. You wrote me in regards to Laurie's
initiative. Certainly you can have it if she will let
you but you may receive a "No sire" I guess not though.

Your photograph darling I do not think is natural
at least not as you looked when I last also first saw you
I like the position very much. I was very thankful
for it darling. Oh Charlie if you could but
hear the conversation between Laura Dora and
Auntie. Dora is just lived enough to be full
of fun and let them converse about what they
will Dora will make them laugh

But time flies and I must close write
often as you can and may guardian angels attend
you in all your wanderings.