University of Virginia Library

Letter from Adelaide E. Case to Charles N. Tenney, February 23rd, 1862

A welcome letter was there
dearest brought by fridays's mail
It had been long and earnestly
looked for by anxious and, sometime
tearful eyes, I could not refrain
from thinking, pretty loud, Heart!
welcome messenger of love, when
it was handed, me I must tell
you how or rather what a joyful
disappointment, it produced

The donation. that I spoke of in

my last "came off". Laurie
went over in the afternoon
and I waited till evening.
The first place that I went
was to the office, which is
under the Hall. where the
donation was held. I inquired
if there was any mail for
me. None, replied the postmaster
I presume I looked -- guess how
"Oh: you must not put on such
a 'solemncholy' face, replied he
Well dear Charlie, I had to
put forth all the resolutions which
I was capable of, to keep back
the tears, presently Laurie came
down stairs with our stretched hand
and guess I presumed, dont you

Dearest, I am stealing these few
moments, but I could not help
it we have company here

passing the sabbath. The
"George family" consisting of
Mr. George and wife, and two
daughters have been giving some
grand vocal concerts here in
Mecca, and the young ladies
are staying with us. They are
sweet littles girls. Misses Jess. or Jessey and
Mollie. Jesse is a petite little
thing, about four feet high and
very near my. Mollie is
younger, Oh Charlie, if you could
but hear them sing, It raises
me up. away off. I dont know
where Jesse sang, 'The Union
Forever, for me"[1] last night. The
folds of their magnificent flag
fell as graceful over her little
form. as you could wish. They sang
'The Sword of Bunker Hill"[2] also,
I had heardof it sung before
but never with such thrilling
sweetness Hal says I am a perfect
enthusiast when I hear music[3]. but who
could help having this enthusiasm
rise, while listening to sweet music

But I must not let the "George
family" fill up my letter. Dearest what
a history you gave of yourself in your
last. It was as unexpected as it was strange
and sorrowfull. I know that I never
have spoken to you about it and what
is more I never would unless you
introduced the subject I felt no
anxiety what ever in regard to your past
life. I had given you my confidence
first as a friend. I next tried to give
it as a sister, but luckily or unluckily
or not. the future will tell, - failed.
and now I give it to you as a true
pure hearted and youthful maiden
would give to a noble pure and
high minded man, I give it you now
as a sacred gift not scrupulously. but
freely & with out a doubt. I surely can
not rejoice in your sorrow dearest and
yet I sometimes am glad that you
tasted its bitterness It seems
as if one could sympathis in an others
sorrows more earnestly when they themselves
have drunk the draughts. but how selfish
I am. Forgive me darling for such thoughts

I am sorry that Col. Tyler is so much disliked
in his Regt. It must be very unpleasant
for him to remain when he has not the
confidence of his men I am so sorry
that that ugly little quarrel arose between

the Col, and Hallie but I can not help it. If I had been with you when you
wrote of your becoming a commissioned officer I presume I should have responded
ha, ha, ha!
Thanks you
dear one
for your
"sketchey'
gift I
can best
thank you
? but
hope to
see the time
when I can
show my
gratitude
in a more
beneficial
way, Hallie
was looking
at your
portrait a
little while
ago and
wishing you
were here.
He said
you would
be a very welcome
visitor & he
would feel as if youcame

[4]came
expressly to see him that is if some one
else were not here giving a sly look at one

The girls laughed (for I am right in the room
with them Jess would not let me go out)
and they
looked at
me too
Presume
I blushed
for Hal. said "Dont you wish Charlie was
here to see the roses" naughty boy is
he not? that is some times. How ambitious
you are dear Charlie, I fear I would
rather remain dormant than trust to
chances in a battle but our
natures are different in that respect