University of Virginia Library

Letter from Adelaide E. Case to Charles N. Tenney, 4 October 1862

Where do you guess I am
to day. Do you remember of Hal. taking your
glass--when you was home, over a year ago, looking
down south. and trying to "shake hands with Uncle"
as you then said? I am at said uncle's house..
Why. do you ask? I will tell you. Aunt Sarah
is in Oberlin. spending a few weeks, and cousin
Mary. or Mamie. as we call her was left to "keep
house" Mamie's health not being very good and
she not knowing very well how to discharge the
duties incumbent upon her.--as she is not
thirteen years of age yet--Uncle wished me to come
and "kinder of oversee her in baking bread takin'
care of the pickles &c." So you see instead of a

"school-ma'am," I am now. "maid of all work.
Are'nt you sorry that you are not of the opinion
of Homer Powers? But of course you do not know
him. so I must enligten you. When I tell you that
I once heard him say that he could not ever
respect a woman. who could act in the capacity
of both housekeeper and lady. you will have learned
[rest of scan damaged]
could I say. Were I to speak the truth--as of
course I must-- I should tell you that if
you are are not so large a [piece or price]. as Uncle Sam
appears to be, yet the love that belongs to you is
far stronger than all that Uncle Sam has,
But you are a privileged character darling so
you will not scold me for not loving my country
enough will you? Remember that love for my
country is paramount to every thing but God and
you dearest. But do not think darling that because
I love you so dearly I would have you shirk
from your duty. No. no. love. Although danger may
surround you uet if God wills it my love and prayers
shall be an armor to guard you through this strug=
=gle in safety. May God bless you dearest and give
you strength to discharge your duty as faithfully
as you have heretofore. I am not the only one
one who gazes with such proud rapture upon that
little band--the noble seventh. Knowing as we do
how true they have always been in every engage=
=ment it is no wonder that we look forward
with so much confidence when we know that our
noble seventh is to participate. and of what proud
emotions swell our hearts when we read
"Another glorious virtory" "The gallant Seventh Ohio
again distinguished iteslf" Pen can not describe the
feelings of my heart when I read such sentences
for I know one at least in of that little band
who would never never falter. Is it any wonder
Charlie that I love you so proudly? Uncle is now
reading aloud the details of the battle of Sharpsburg
Often he is obliged to cease reading and wipe away the
great tear-drops that will flow in sympathy for
the faithful fallen, WHat a man is Gen. Hooker. how
indispendable were his services on the dreadful field
And yet he was wounded. You ask if the obscurity has
been removed at all within the past 10 days. Much,
very much. McClellans victories have changed the
aspect of things entirely. As you phrophesied, people
are even more enthusiastic over McClellan and wildly
shouting "He is the man for the times"
By the tone of our letters I see that John Pope is no
favorite of yours. also McDowell. I do not like McDowell
but I believe Pope did the best he could under the circum
stances. [T]o what was his defeat attributed There seems
to have been some misunderstanding or else treachery.
Can you give me any light upon the subject for it is
to me the most unconvincible mess I ever heard of
before. I should judge that your culinary department
were not very extensive. Only three pints of water for
two! I believe I shoud enter a protest against such
scarcity. Who is your "partner" Would'nt I laugh
to see you cooking your breakfast or "preparing
Say Charlie, who takes the head of the table where
you live, Which do you wait upon first ladies or
gentlemen But

"Brave boys are they
Gone at their countries call &c."

so I must not laugh
at you, By the way dearest did you ever hear the
song "Brave boys are they? If so do you not think
it splendid? The first time I heard of it I could
not listen to all the song it came so near home
Miss Carrie Hib[l?]bee played and sang it for me and
I had to request her to cease playing. I was
[end of page 4: rest of letter missing]