University of Virginia Library

Letter from Adelaide E. Case to Charles Tenney, 16 November 1862

How much
longer must I endure this dread-
ful suspense. Almost three weeks have
passed since I last received one of thy
darling missives, Papa brought one
home last night, from you for Hal.
and you need not think but that
I opened it. I should not have
done it so but I wished so much to
know how and where you was.
It was written the 27th of Oct. and
directed to Camp Cleveland.
J. P. Hurlburt took it from
the office with the intention of bring-

ing it to Mecca (He thought Hal
was at home) but papa took it and
brought it to me. I will send it
to Hal immediately. As there is a
very important question in it to which
you ought to have received an
answer long ago. You will forgive
me for opening it will you not dear?

Hallie is now in Ann Arbor Mich.
which is his address. I wrote you that
he and Dwight Wilbur had gone to
Cleveland. they did go there with
the intention of entering the Law
school, but Hal writes that they
were disappointed in the institution
and other things and concluded
to go on to Ann Arbor. He will
probably graduate in a few months.

Well darling, Laurie is married
and gone on their "tour" to Mr
Thompsons friends in Columbianora
county, and I know not when
she will return. The were married

in Warren at Camps Hotel last
wednesday at half past three P.M.
and started off immediately.

Dear sister, God grant that she
may never regret the life she has
taken. But I can not dwell on
this subject without pain.

My darling, pardon me but I am
afraid your prophecies in regard to
McClellan will never be realized.
I was exceedingly sorry that our
president saw fit to remove him-
or at least I am sorry that
he found it necessary to remove
him He seems to have made an
ignominious failure, but I do not
think he would have done so had
it not been for a few scheming
politicians. Although many have
charged him with treason long
ago, yet my reply was that if
Gen. McClellan was a traitor President
Lincoln was also a traitor or

an imbecile I do not think
McClellan has always been as expedi-
tious as he might have been, but
where would you find the man
that has moved with such caution
Even the friendly face of the Chron-
icle comes out in strong terms
against him. But Charlie, listen
to my prophesy, “As long as there
is so much jealousy in regard
to officers, our armies can never
accomplish much.” Jealousy and
political influences together have
prolonged this war more than
any thing else. It has kept
some of our best and truest
officers back and placed others
in the situation that they
ought to have occupied that
are not much more fit for
the position that I am
Look at Banks and Mitchell
two of our best men have [1] been kept back simply because politicians were afraid they
would accomplish something The death of Mitchell is
deeply lamented all over the northern states

[2] But darling I have two
more letters to write
to day as you will
pardon this short and
imperfect one will
you not?

Please write very soon
will you not dear?
If you I do not receive
a letter this week I
shall be strong
tempted to write to
some member of your
co. and enquire of
your health, &c.
Please remember me kindly
to the boys and accept
the prayers and love of your own