University of Virginia Library

Letter from Adelaide E. Case to Charles N. Tenney, March 14, 1862

What can be more lovely
than this day. warm as the summer
days generally are and the more beautiful
because it is March.. Can you see me. Charlie
sitting here on the root of a maple tree
about two feet above the little brook that
is south of Auntie's house? Here I have
been sitting dreaming and listening to
the babbling of the little stream till it
sounded like sweet music. and then
commenced talking to me of absent loved
ones. occasionally looking at the sun that
is peeping through the soft haze which
envelopes it. until--well something struck
me. the thought that I would go to the
house and get my writing desk. When

I started back.. I caught up Titcombs
"Lessons in Life," and here it lies on the
mossy bank by my side. Oh! who is not
a lover of Nature.. the true mother of
all beauty.. Here I can sit and dream for
hours. with no companion but the little birds
that are even now singing among the not
leafy but leafless boughs above my head.
And of what am I dreaming. do you ask?
Of what could I be dreaming save my
Charlie.. It does seem like "fairy land" wonder
if I could not see their footprints up
on the hill. How I wish I was an artist
would not I draw some grand sketches..
Or if you were. but here. I presume I would
have you installed immediately.. Oh. Charlie.
what is there now to hinder you from coming
home. Manassas. Winchester. and all of the
prominent places that are in the possession of
our troops. I can see no objections why
you can not come I do wish to see
this must be to those whose friends
have gone. What can ever give them
strength to bear the great grief but
the hope of meeting them in death..