University of Virginia Library

Letter from Adelaide E. Case to Charles N. Tenney, 1862 September 15

I recd your darling
letter several days ago but have had no
opportunity to answer it. I had looked
long and how anxiously for some missive
to assure me of your safety and was
almost ready to give up in dispair when
the welcome assurance came. I did suffer
darling very much but I never for one
instant thought you thoughtless. No. for
I know how often your would write had
you had an opportunity that you would write
to me daily could you do so. I trust you
can soon remain 24 hours in a place

so you can write me that "much" of which you spoke,
for I must confess I need it to cheer
me up a little. Such a dark and gloomy
position is at present presented to our view
that I can not help but partake to some extent
of the same nature. I am glad that your
confidence in Gen. McClellan is so unsha
ken for here at the north his star is fast-
waning. The defeat of Gen. Pope was attributed
to the failure of McClellan to bring up his troops, and it has been published in the Cleveland Herald that McClellan's reason's for not bringing his troops up was that that they were too demoralized to trust them
them on the field. If that was the reason--if our
army of Virginia. consisting of hundreds of
thousand of once efficient and brave men. have
become demoralized so that they can not be
trusted on a battlefield, then we are truly
in a fearful and destitute situation.

But to change the subject. My school
closes next saturday. I can not say that
I am either sorry or glad. It has not

been so much of a confinement for me
as I last spring anticipated. I have spent
many very many pleasant hours with my
scholars. Perhaps this summer has been spent
more pleasantly with me in the school room
than it would have been had I remained at
home in fact I know it has for the duties
which have rested upon me have in a great
measure beguiled the loneliness which
otherwise would have oppressed me. But I
have missed the kind faces of friends and
often sighed for their companionship but then
you know I can not always be with friends
at home. But dear Charlie it is nearly
school time and I can write no more
if I would have this go out to day
You will write as often as possible dearest
, will you not? God help thee darling and protect thee for your own