University of Virginia Library

Letter from Adelaide E. Case to Charles N. Tenney, 23 November 1862

How very much
I thank you for your darling letter
that arrived last evening. You know
not dearest how long and anxuously
I had looked for a letter since you
wrote of your recent indisposition..--
how I had prayed God to watch over
thee in sickness and in health,--
how I had mour[n]ed over the fate
that has kept such a barrier of miles
twixt thee and me. best beloved--
until I was nearly ill.. If you would
spare me pain my love write often

True your excuses were sufficient. and
I forgive you Indeed the joy of once
again hearing from you--of once again
reading your own dear loving thoughts
addressed to me darling more than
cancled all the pain I had suffered
And art thou now well now darling?
Art thou suffering far away from me--
with no kind hand to alleviate the pain
Look to God dearest. He can relieve
and be with you. for much as I regret
it I can not be with you only in spirit
and that--always. How very thankful
I am darling that you are in the
position you now occupy instead of
performing the arduous duties of camp
life and marching As Carrie said--
our Carrie Kibbee)-- when I told her
where you were. "Oh! Addie, are'nt you
so glad". and in the. dear girls joy . she
actually--kissed me.

Oh. darling how I wish you to come
home, Were you here I do believe you

would regain health and strength much
faster than you now do. I would devote
myself so much to your happiness that
you could not help but get well,
Do you not thing so dear?

Did you intend darling to bid me
hope when you said if the thing were
possible you would come home this winter;
If so. that you a thousand times, How
much I wish you to return. why you
can not know.. But you will wish to
know about my self will you not dear?
I am well. much better than I was
before I recieved you precious letter. and
am enjoying myself as well as I can--
from thee, I like Farmington very much
indeed, also the school. Although I
have not as yet become acquainted with
many of the students yet time passes
swiftly and pleasantly. Indeed I see
no reason why it should not. Altho.
Hallie and papa would not premit
me to take as many studies as

I wished to do. yet with the splendid
company of Mr Kibbee's family with whom
I am boarding time does not lag I can
assure you. How much I desire you to
become acquainted with Carrie and Emma,
they are such splendid girls
Would you like to know the subjects of
my studies? They are Algebra. Latin and
Music. I wished very much to take another
study, but Hal. would not listen to it.
It affords me an opportunity of reading more
than I could otherwise do, We spend very
pleasant evenings in reading useful and
appropriate books, Would you not like to
join our circle some evening? I should dearly
love to have you do so, But darling, it is
getting late besides here are Mr, and Mrs.
Kibbee. Carrie and Emma, Miss Michalson.
(an assistant teacher in the seminary) and
Mr Wolcott, son-in-law of Mr. Kibbee's,
all discussing the one common theme--War
Quite an interesting discussion,
You will excuse this short letter darling?
I would write more in the morning but
the mail goes out quite early and I will
not have time. Be very careful of your
health dearest, and write very soon too