University of Virginia Library

Letter from Charles N. Tenney to Adelaide E. Case, 3 March 1862

Imagine my happy surprise
this evening on receiving another delightful
missive from your own heart -- in fact another
"Angel's visit." Indeed, your letters are happily
received, and nothing could give me more
pleasure -- except -- avisit to the dear little author

I just went to the P.O. Box, & took therefrom
a letter I wrote last evening, which I enclose with
this, thinking I might as well send two in one
My health is excellent, Capt Asper yesterday
asked me, "Charley, why is it you are always looking
so goodnatured?" I replied "I do not know, only
it is because I feel well. I consider myself as
healthy man as you have." "I guess you are," said he,
"for I never know you to be sick." You are
not quite correct in regard to our having bad
air to breathe, none can have purer, for there is
nearly always a current of air passing through
camp. It is quite different from a city, I assure
you.

But I must give you an account of todays
proceedings. At 10 am, our brigade was
marched to the late General's[1] headquarters, and
the 7th was the Regt. honored by being the escort
of the body to the R.R. "marching in columns of
platoons, with reversed arms, and at common
time," If you dont know the meaning of that,
(but I presume you do) Hallie will tell you.

Fourteen Regts of Infantry 2000 Cavalry and
several batteries of Artillery, were drawn up in line
and all honors due to the deceased Gen. were paid
with proper solemnity & form. but we can safely say,
without self-praise that the 7th under noble Will Creighton
was the observed of all observers. and we were not
vain of the distinction, either.

No indeed! I did not intend to do you any
injustice, nor did I imagine you were jealous. for
I well knew there was no cause whatever; I wrote
what I did, merely as a pleasantry, not because I really
thought so, Oh: yes. Addie, I will suppress any
ill-will, with a vengeance, I think there can be no
danger whatever, When any one insults Hal, the
insult reaches me. & I will resent this one, no,
the many,

It is not right; nor just for him to tyrannize
over any of his officers, and when he does, he
injures the regiment. If some one who had
the authority, would investigate the matter, and
"give the devil his due," I would be in a manner
silent; but as the officers are seemingly afraid to
assert their own independence, I consider it my
duty to myself, and to Hallie, for the services he has
done me, as far as lies in my power, to write the
truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, even
though it does come close, I may be wrong,
but if I fail to see it so, When a man has done
as much for his company. as Hal has for this. a man
is a coward, and not worthy the name of friend
or brother, if he will refuse to take his part though
it does place him in a dangerous place. But I fear
nothing. Am I not in the right? Ask Hal if I am not

But I am getting too indignant.

Darling Addie, I love you dearer than ever,
I could not be perfectly happy, until I knew you could
love me as I am. I will strive to make you happy
Another abrupt question, dearest Addie, - How would
you like to change your name, to the one I have? And,

if you would, when shall the ceremony take place?

Dear Addie. does your papa know of our
"carrying on?" and is he willing?