University of Virginia Library

Letter from Adelaide E. Case to Charles N. Tenney, >April 8, 1862

Happy very happy was I
last night when father handed me your
letter of - well I do not know when it
was written. for it was dated so many times
I think it not necessary for me to fill
this sheet with expressions of joy and pleasure.
because I was so fortunate as to recieve another
of your darling missives. so I will allow you
for this time to imagine it.

Dearest. you say - in speaking of the “grand move”
“not withstanding the “ Seventh” was included we are
all safe..” Did you really mean it? was not our
loss at Winchester fearful? Perhaps I did not
understand you.. I too was pleased when you
wrote me of your success in the “letter line”
I love letters it is so cheering when far

from friends to recieve good letters. as you
certainly do if you get mine (ahem)
It has been more than one week since I
last wrote you. but I have been from home most
of the time since then.. Friday I went to
Claridon with Dora, and stayed until yesterday
I am excusable am I not dear?

Charlie. you requested me to send you Laurie's
poem. “A Vision” Although that was composed
by Laura M. Case. still I do not think my
sister. Laura M. Case was the authoress. if she
is she does not tell me so. It is a beautiful
piece. I will send it to you. I intended
sending the paper but it was destroyed throug
carelessness. but I saved the poem.

Did you infer dearest from what I wrote of
“Fifty years ahead” that I was the authoress of
it? I was not nor do I know who was. but
I think it was Miss Lucy Logan.

When I see Lucy. I will ask here for a copy of it
for you. You say you wish me to return your love

as you love. Oh. my darling would that you
knew with what dpeth and tenderness your
love is reciprocated. yes. would that you knew.
I would not have thought. one year ago that
any mortal. could ever be so dear to me as is
my idol. my treasure. Can it be that you are
mortal? I feel that your love is not. When I
think of that wretched week which I passed
through after hearing of the Winchester fight
I shudder. and wonder how I lived.. Do
you wonder that in the dead of night
when all was still that tears. which seemed
to sweep away my very heart . would flow.
and murmurs such as “Charlie my darling
my all why am I not with thee” would escape.
But am I becoming tedious? Perhaps I am
Oh! yes dearest. I will try and enlarge your
list of lady friends. when you come home, which
I trust will be soon. I have many lady friends
in Brumhill Co. of whom I never spoke to
you. There are the Misses Gilbersons (please
ask Will. Braden if he remembers them
They speak of him quite often) also Miss
Belle. Duncan. Lucia Leeland. Libbie Smith.
Grace Smith. and many others.

Darling. I wrote to you in regard (I meant
that for regard) to my teaching this summer
Did you recieve the letter: Please write to
me and let me know if you wish me to
become. “school marm”

I have no time to write more now
dearest for I must send this to the office
by Uncle __ Pa's brother. I have not sent
your letter to sister over yet therefore she probably
will not write in this. Please write very
often to your own