University of Virginia Library

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

The "furlough boys"
have just returned to-night
and none were more welcome
than John Chaffee, who met me
with outstretched hand - but
what did it contain but a
letter in the wellknown writing
of my sister " Miss. Case, Esq."

Now have I not reason to
thank John? Well, I did thank
him, and - fell to devouring
eagerly the contents! You ask
if Hallie is well yet, He is very
nearly well, so much so that
he is now in command of the

company, Capt Asper obtained
leave of absence for a day or two
and today he applied for an ex=
tention on ground of sickness, and
it was granted. He is at Cumberland
threatened with a fever. So long as
he is unwell, Hallie cannot come
home. (,) I would like to see you
very much before you go to O-u.
but fate seems to have decreed that
I shall have the extreme pleasure
of remaining in my tented home

It is now, that romance fails
to make camp life pleasant. You
have no conception of the dreariness
I should feel if it were not that
I know there is one who anxious
anxiously prays for the safety of two
whose lives are in the hands of Him
who rules the universe.

But with Hallie I pass a very
pleasant, time but, I hate to go
to his tent, lest the boys would
think me a favorite.

I was sorry to learn your friend,
Miss. Herslop was ill. I hope however,
to soon learn of her recovery.

How would you like to have
a description of the members of
our mess? I will send you one, if
you would like it. I had three
or four sketches of scenes around
Reomney, nearly finished, when they
were abstracted from my portfolio.

The weather has been so severe
that I have I havenot been able to make
a sketch since I came here.

This position, as Gen. Lander
says, is a strong one in a mil
itary point of view, and the
Rebels, should they come this
way, will find a hand boy
to handle in Lander.

I will make a diagram of
this position, and enclose it in my next.

My mind is so scattered

I can not conscentrate my thoughts
upon any one subject.

The one absorbing thought of
my mind is "Addie." and I doubt
not but it is well to have such an
abject on which to dwell.

Pardon me for this
poorly written, illy composed.
letter, and my nest I will try
to make more interesting.