University of Virginia Library

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

Would you be offended
if I were to say my dear
Addie? for I'm sure I
would much rather call
you by the name my
heart prompts me to. I am very well
quite so. and trust you are. Brig--or
rather Lieut. Case is also quite well.
He has improve a great deal since
he left home. and you may rest
assured that he will be well cared
for, for we all love him very much
I know there is no man to whom
I am as much attached as to your
brother, you may well be proud
of such a brother. I prophecy that
no man will sooner reach a place
in the hearts of the people equal
to Col. Ellsworth or even Stephen A.

Douglas or Lincoln, [part of page missing]
than your brother,H[part of page missing]
B. Case.

We arrived here last [missing]
night about four oc[lock] [missing]
the boys all well. [missing]
month men, we [missing]
Friday night. They were dismissed
and on their way home. I think
they ought to have seen service before going
home; however I don't care now
for perhaps I may have a chance
(although a small one) to get in some
more genial position for I must
confess that I have a secret desire to
merit a promotion.

Two Regiments, the 9th & the
Artillery left here this morning for Virginia, and a rumor is
current, but you know how to believe
them, to the effect that the

Seventh Reg't. is to go in a week
or two. I wish it may be so, but
I would like very much to see
Addie once more, still I do not
expect to, unless you come down
this week with the ladies of Warren
Mrs. Stull informed me that
they were coming down this
week or next, now you might
just as well come down as not
coming down here is, I know, no
small affair, but I understand
the railroad presidents will allo[w]
them, (from Warren) to pass free
This is a beautiful day here, a
cool breeze is rustling through the
leaves (for you must know that while
we were home the boys made a
sort of bower over the alley
between the buildings) and the
sky is slightly overcast with clouds
Altogether this is pleasant. There is
something fascinating in it to me
I am healthier, stronger and can do
more here than in any other business
But there is some thing more fascinating
and that is Addie Case. But I dare
not hope that you think more of me
than a common friend. If I could only
know that you do, how happy I would
be-- but pshaw, I am writing nonsense
pray forgive me for I cannot help it.
Are you well now? and do you have
pleasant times, now the soldiers are gone?

Does Laura know that I am going
to correspond with you? If she does, give
my kind regards to her.But I have wearied you patience
too much already so I will not write
any more. If you are not displeased with
this please write very soon.