University of Virginia Library

Letter from Adelaide E. Case to Charles N. Tenney, February 11th, 1862

I guess you will not complain
because I do not write often enough. for I
have sent you a letter every

for a
good while. But I go upon the principle
that the oftener I write the oftener I
recieve and therefore I shall write real often

How happy I was last night when I rec'd.
you darling letters of the 2nd and 3rd I
recieved two from you friday and did not
expect to recieve another so soon. I thought
I should not go to the office last night
for it was quite muddy but something-I
can call it nothing but instinct-seemed to
tell me to go.. I went and my heart was
gladdened. I am sure I can not tell what
part of your letters interest me most
for they are so full of interest that it is

difficult finding the most interesting
part. I was pleased with your
It is so different from what you generally
write, but it was Charlie's letter after all.
I sympathize with you in the loss of Gen. Lander
but I hope your new Gen will supply hisprove
himself as worthy as did Gen. Leander. I
believe Banks and Shields take his place
do they not? I read in the Cleveland
Leader that they did but the gives
us so many wrong reports that I can
not believe any thing that they print
unless it is authenticated in some
other direction. Darling, I can not think
of the battle that must be fought on the
Potomac, without a shudder, and my heart
clings closer to my idol. Would to God
that that battle would be avoided. Surgeons
are preparing to go to Washington, from all
parts of the country.

I am so thankful that you enjoy good

health, and I am glad that you are so
punctual in informing me.

Darling, I do not think Hal would wish you
to insure your own safety for hissak.
Charlie, how your

startled me. I can not
tell you. I had not cast a thought to avoid
changing my name to the the one you have at
present. I had been so happy in your love
that I had thought ofnothink beyond
No Charlie, I must maintain the simple
name of Addie Le Case until I am someting
wiser, something better than I now am.
I have aspirations that must be reached
before I bear another name than this

I wish to make myself worthy of you
my darling, before I am wholy yours.
and your love will strengthen me.
Be content dearest at present, and
remember that it is for the best
for I could never bestow my hand
upon you now. My heart is already

yours and even will be, but my
hand may not be for years. It may
seem a hard request to grant when I ask
you to not mention this again until I
do, but you will grant it will you not
my own Charlie! Does it seem a long time
Charlie? Perhaps it does, but would you not
rather wait a few years till I have a chance
to cultivate the gifts God has given me
than to find but too late that you have
taken to your heart an unworthy object?

Consider this darling, and answer me,
Hallie too, my own darling brother wishes me
to become a woman in mind as well as
in body before I can marry, and could
I refuse a request from him! He considers
you worthy one of the noblest of women
and God in Heaven helping me I will
be that one. You asked me if father
knew of our

He does not
He always said that his daughters would
never recieve his dictation in choosing a
companion, a queer person is my papa
He seems to think his children capable of
choosing for themselves. Perhaps he is right
Did you ever see a more lovely day than
this one is. It is so warm and pleasant.
I can scarcely content remaining in
the house. Not a cloud is to be seen and
the sunshine is dashing through the windows
so brightly it is such a contrast so the
fire which seems feebly burning but auntie
says it is burning real good and above
all the birds - Earth's first and beautiful
poets are singing so sweetly. I imagine they
are singing just as sweet songs now as
birds sang to Adam and Eve when
were in the garden of Eden before that
one great sin deprived them foreverfrom
of their happiness. How does Gen. Moore
get along. I shall never forget his call to
our house and my questions I asked him
of you. I tried to appear disinterested when
talking about you, but his honest blue
eyes which look right into mine
just as if he knew I was doing
myself an injustice as well as you.
He knew that we corresponded with each
other when he was here. I have a curiosity
to know whether that is natural with
him or not.

Dear Charlie I have been thinking today
of the visit which you made at our house
how sad you must have felt when you saw
Laurie and I caressing brother and thought
you too had a sister, but her caresses were
denied you. If I had then known of your
sister nothing in the world would have
separated us to express my joy so warmly
in your presence. I could not have pursued
your noble heart so much as my actions
undoubtedly did. But if you were only here
would not I supply the place of that absent
sister. Will you not tell me more about
her. Does she resemble you? She certainly

loves you dear one, who could help it.
I do wish you could get her to write
to you. The thought just presented
itself that perhaps this thought would
not be agreeable to you andI am now
doing just what I would not do for
any thing - praising you. If I am darling
forgive me. But for fear that I may say
something which I ought not so I will change
the subject.

Hallis is in Warren yet, he came home
last friday and stayed over night but
went away in the morning. How I
should loved to have had him stay
over the sabbath but when I urged
him to stay he looked at me with
his great black eyes and said "Addie
can you ask me to stay when you
know that duty calls me away?"

I urged him no more to stay but
told him to go. What a power my brother

has over his sister. One reproachful
look from him will bring the tears
to my eyes and such a heavy pain will
gather round my heart that will never
leave me till I know that I am forgiven
for the offense that brought that look.
Just such a power I feel and know
my Charlie has over me. I can feel it
when I read your letters and I know
it is with me in every action.

Thus it is with this I truly love
and the deeper my love is for my and
the more strongly do I feel that proven.

But what a letter I am writing you
to day. I sat down and let my strengths
go just as fast and about as curious
as that

is. But I guess
you will not find time to read this hurried
if I do not cease.

Do not fail to write often dearest. If,
more than two mail days pass with out hearing
from you the

get hold of me most
unmercifully and no relief can I find
until I receive a letter from you.