University of Virginia Library

Letter from Charles N. Tenney to Adelaide E. Case, 1862 January 9

Last night, I had
the pleasure of recieving your
kind and interesting letter
of the 1st, and you may
be sure I was highly entertain-[ed
How very kind of you to remem
ber me, and to take a sisterly
interest in my wellbeing.

"Darling sister!" What emotions
the writing of that word caus-[es
in my heart! It seems so
strange to feel that after so
long a time as has elapsed
since her whom I onlce loved
to address by the lov endearing
name of "sister" has deigned

to write to me. I can say
at last "I have a sister ," yet
more than sister. Heaven help
me, that I may be worthy of
your love as a brother ought.

But I must banish these
unhappy thoughts from my
mind, else I shall go distrated
Forgive my, dear Addie for this
expression of feeling. I will try
and be more cheerful.

There is now, here, about
four inches of snow, and of
course, there must be more up
north. You must be now
enjoying the pleasures incident
to the coming of Old King Winter
Well, be happy and joyous, Addie
darling, and take my share of
the pleasure. But there are
pleasures in war, too, not that
it is a pleasure to kill, burn,

and destroy, far from it, but
as Ferrold used to say " there is no
employment in life, but has its
moments of pleasure, " even a grave
digger has his pleasure. There are
men whose graves I would love
to dig." I force myself to enjoy
the pleasures of Camp, but little
do the boys know the feelings
which pass within.

Have you the reports
of the skirmish at Blew's Gap?
The fighting men of the different
Regts. here were ordered toward
Winchester, and at half past 7
of the 7th inst. they arrived at the
Gap. 16 miles from here, where
the rebels were entrenched, about
1000 strong. (The 114th Va. Militia) and
after a few rounds, they broke &
run, with a loss of 9 killed 3 or 4
wounded, 13 prisoners, 3 cannon

10 horses, 2 wagons, all their
camp equipage, commissary stores
and a large number of guns, and
a quantity of ammunition. Our
loss was nothing. Hal & myself
did not go, owing to the fact that
we were on Picket guard. I would
not have missed going for a good deal
Perhaps I may go next time.
We are prepared for an attack here
at any time, all our extra baggage
being sent to Cumberland.

Thank you, Addie darling, for
your prayers on my behalf. I love to
think that there is one at least who
can remember me before the throne
of mercy. "God in heaven, preserve you
from harm, and shower the choicest
blessings of Heaven upon you" Addie, dear
is my earnest prayer.

Perhaps I may come home
in a few days if I can get permission
of the Major.

But I must close this uninteres
ting letter hoping to recieve another
letter from you soon. Hal is well
as ever. Give my kind regards
to Laurie. Be happy, and kindly
remember the poor soldier.