University of Virginia Library

Letter from Adelaide E. Case to Charles N. Tenney, 31 August 1862

Although two weeks
was spent in anxiety yet the blessed
last arrived. that "Charlie--my darling friend[?] is
safe. You will wonder perhaps when I tell you
that I had not entertained such ing fears
in regard to your safety as formerly specially about
the line of the battles of . I pray-
ed just as for the of my
loved one. but something seemed to
me so confidentlyly Your Charlie is safe" that
I would not doubt. Indeed dearest Charlie I felt
more gl today than I have since
darling that you are perfectly safe and

that these strange emotions are not caused by
the possibility of your being in danger. How strange
it is that we are not so willing to listen to the
voice of fear as we are to that of safety. I have been
trying all day to dispute[?] these dismal thoughts but
have not succeeded and have concluded to sit down
and give you a good long "talking to" but I con-
fess I do not know what to talk to you about.
I can forgive you darling for not telling me the
exact position you were to occupy should an engage-
ment occur. but you must not repeat it. please do
not love I prefer knowing your exact position as far a[s?]
you can acquaint me of it. Had you fallen dearest.
and in time I had learned that you had--forgive me
darling for the the thought--decieved me I know not what
my feelings would have been, but--I can imagine.
I was sorry to learn of the misfortune of your friend
Geo. Moore [(]is he my friend too[?)] trust he has recovered
ere this, Was John Chaffee in the engagement? How
does he prosper. and how does Steven Bishop prosper
Although I never was very much in
his Mr Bishops favor yet as he is a soldier I feel the same
interest in his welfare that I do in others who
are so bravely defending the "Stars and Stripes"

We are constantly hearing rumers of and
defeats on the Rappahannock which causes the most
intense excitement and speculation among those I call
cowards,, They are the more deserving of the name
because they will quietly sit and listen while they
are being called thus. I believe some people regard
"cowrd" as a kind of pet name at least they
are willing to bear it and I must say it becomes
them most admirally.. Dear Charlie I attended
a wedding last tuesday. Mr. Henry Hathaway.
and Miss Laura Carver. They were married at
Little Mountain out near Painesville. A splendid
place. How do you think I felt when I looked
upon that happy pair she standing beside the chosen
one ready to utter that solemn promise, while my
thoughts were way off with my chosen one, laboring so
hard and enduring so much for what? His
country. Ah. my soldier boy Charlie is far worthier
of the love the [pure?] undying love of [a? unc] true and
noble woman. than the Mr Hathaway. who refused about
ten months ago to "go to war" when his betrothed told
him if he felt it to be his duty to go to fight

to go, and leave her. she could wait till his
return or she could first marry him and he could then
go. But poor fellow he finally concluded he would
stay and court the favor of his "lady love" than
of the secesh bullets, How patriotic truly! Charlie
do you think I would promise to love honor and obey
such a man, Why as for the first. I couldnt. for the
second. I would'nt and as for the last I need'nt
for if I should a little piece of
he would be frightened to death. But what am I tracing[?]
You will say "A strange girl. go to his wedding and
[write?] this about him" If he should ask me my opin
=ion of him I should tell him just so.. But "what can't
be cured must be endured," you know.

I recieved a letter from Hallie a few days ago
he expects to be mustered out of service in a few
days and come home. I wish Charlie would accom-
pany him but I dont see but that you are to
remain in "Old Virginny" as long as the war lasts.
Y Dora had answered your letter
yet. She has not. I handed her a letter addressed
to you and asked her to answer yours. the[?]
answer in mine and put it in the office. She
said she would but last night she told me that
she did not have time to answer it She will
soon. perhaps will send with this.

September 8th

My darling. Several days have passed since
I commenced this. but circumstances prevented
me from finishing it.. You have been neglected
darling most cruelly.. .but I will write often
enough now to make up past deficiencies,
I am laboring under a great deal of fear and
anxiety on your account loved one knowing as
I do of the serious trouble in

[unclear] Virginia, but I will try to believe that you will be spared. I have not
heard from you in a long time. or at least it appears to be a long time. but I am
[across the top]
always ready to assign some excuse for you and
now I think that the reason why you do not
write is because you are so constantly harassed

the[1] enemy. I never saw such and excitement as has been for the past week.
The fact that the rebels are so near Cincinnati. has aroused northern Ohio to the
certainty. that some thing must be done, and that quickly.. Men are ready to protect
their own state and will do it. Thursday
evening, twenty from this town volunteered
to go to Cincinnati, but all were not
acceptedt. When will this cruel war
end. many hearts are becoming
faint and discouraged. but I live
on trusting and hopeful. Hallie will
be homein a few days. and then we
shall have a reason of rejoicing. but Charlie
absence will be none the less deeply
regretted. I not be happy if
Charlie could come? but itis nearly
school time and I must close
Please write soon and direct to
Mecca as I shall be there before
your answer will reach me. May
heaven guard thee ever dearest
and protect thee for your