University of Virginia Library

Letter from Adelaide E. Case to Charles N. Tenney, 25 October 1862

Shall I try and
interest you for a few moments. this rainy
evening? But I shall not commence my
letter quite so “stylish” as was my darling's
last. even if I am a Colonel's sister.
I shall not give myself that little, until
I know whether I have a right to it or
not.. for Hal. is rather dubious about his
being able to get men enough for his
regiment. So many have been drafted, and
although Gov.. Tod. has given drafted men
permission to enlist for three years, yet the
most of them think nine months is not
so long a period as three years..

For my part. I am not very particular about
his going into the service again. for we all
want him at home. True. I know that our
old Uncle Sam wants just such men as my
brother — Hal. B.. Case but Addie & Laura want
him too.. We want Charlie also very much. but
darling, can we have him for a little while this
coming winter? I fear the answer will be this
“No Addie you must wait patiently still a
little longer, thy Charlie is too useful to be
spared yet” Have I not waited very patiently
and oh. how long for thy return my darling?
So you was rejoiced, and congratulate. Hal on
his “good fortune” do you dear? Well as your
congratulations came through my letter. I
suppose it becomes me to thank you, which I
heartily do.. I could inform Lt. Col. Asper
that the military committee did not have
very much to do about selecting Case “after
he had that rupture with Tyler.” It was Gov..
Tods own offer.. Hal. at first declined and
even now says he is willing but not anxious to

I fear dearest that your “mansion” which
you erected was not very beneficial, for
you wrote me that you had moved your
camp. You could not move that also could
you? Altogether I am sorry for those “three
U.S. privates” who labored so hard, and one
who was too busy to write to his Addie —
but Adelaide, hush! you promised not to
scold him even if he does not write so often —
Darling. that is the way any little prompter
— conscience I guess — talks to me when ever I
begin to write any thing naughty.
Are'nt you glad of it? I am for there
is not a person in this world I would
mind half as so soon as I would Conscience.

Thank you very much dearest for your
liberal statement of Gen. Pope. I can now
comprehend how he was so easily outflanked

How can anyone help condemning him
for neglecting to post his pickets every where
where there was an opportunity for the rebels
to outflank him. I could not yet
the correct statement before though I had

earnestly tried, and I concluded to write
to some one who knew,, Hence my inqui-
ring of you..

You wrote that it was
said you remained there this winter. No certain-
ty about it is there? (Do you know what
is coming?) If you remain there will you not
try to obtain a furlough and come to Addie?
I should be so very happy. There was a letter
in our last Chronicle from (my) (is it?) Julius which
is highly interesting. & at least to one.

But darling you will excuse me from writing
very long to night. will you not? I am quite
tired. Mother has not entirely recovered from
her late illness, and “discharging duties”
gives me “tired” for a companion,, Hal. came
home Thursday night but went to Barmington
this afternoon to spend thes sabbath
I will close now and play. “ Brave boys are
they for you and bid you good night.

Please write very soon and often to