University of Virginia Library

Letter from Charles N. Tenney to Adelaide E. Case, 18 August 1862

Dont you think I keep my
promises well? I did not intend to allow
twenty four hours to elapse after I wrote that
short letter, ere I answered your two letters in
full, butBurns has quaintly, yet truthfully
said --

--

What with guard duty, reviews, inspections
&c., our time has been completely occupied, ever
since we came to this camp.

I have been cogitating this morning onvari-
ous subjects, but invariably my thoughts revert
toOhio, and it is not difficult for you tocon-
jecture to what point, so I thought would
have a fewmoments chat with the immediate
object of my affections. When Irecieved
your darling letters just after the battle, my
heart was inexpressibly lightened, and I felt more

like enduring the hardships which I knew would
inevitably ensue, but I confess they were lighter --
or at least they seemed so to me -- than we all
expected. But I will not dwell on this.

While we were atAlexandria, I wrote a
letter to yourPapa, asking his consent to our
union at any time you might specify, and I
recieved a reply which made me very happy.

He says “If it is your andAddie's wish to connect
your destinies for life, you shall have my best
wishes and approval, unless that I shall learn
of some dishonor attached to you, or her.”

Ought I not to be happy, afterrecieving a
reply like that? Do you wonder, my own,
why I took such a course without informing
you? I scarcely know myself, unless it was
that I might have the pleasure of tellingyou.my-
self, that henot is not opposed to ourunion

Have I your pardon, my Queen, for so palpable
a wrong? Now that there is no obstacleinter-
vening, there remains nothing but for you to
denominate a day toconsumate ourunion
I know my darling that it was your request

that you should make the first allusion to this,
but I feel an anxiety to know the time when
you will be all mine. But of course there is
the uncertainty of the time when I shall come
home. Pardon me,Addie mine, if I have
made an ill timed allusion, and I will offend
no more.

You ask my opinion ofMcClellan and his
movements. Really that is a very difficulty question
to answer; however, I will give you my mind.
Now I have ever lovedMcClellan with all his
strategy and his faults, and it grieves me deeply
to learn of the reverses he sustains from time to
time. But I feel assured that it is no fault of
his. Only look at the disadvantages under which
he has labored. He had a magnificent army when
he landed atNewport News, and he reduced York-
town much quicker than any of his many persecutors
could have done it by an assault, and carried up
his advantage until he reached the very face and front
of the most formidable defences of modern times, and
requested reinforcements. These were denied him (until
toolate.) and he was forced to assume the defensive

having to sustain a front of more than thirty
miles, after having to garrison the entirePeninsula
which he had conquered, and to face the horrors
of disease from the horribleChickahoming swamps.

At last, despairing of aid, either by directrein-
forcements or cooperation from theRappahannock
byMcDowell, he was forced to make that most
difficult movement of all -- to change his base
by a flank movement in the face of an enemey --
and this at a time when the rebels where strongly
reinforced and greatly outnumbered him.

Notwithstanding the fact that the enemy were
defeated in each of the sixdays battles, he was
forced to hasten on toward theJames river, or he
would be left as bad as at first: andI say
boldly, that those who condemnMcClellan for the
course purused by him on thePeninsula, areun-
qualified enemies to the cause of the Union -- pro-
vided, they know the circumstances. I confess
that for a time, my faith in him began to waver,
but when I closely examined thereord, I felt
more confidence than ever.It is my opinion
that he intends to joinPope's army and make a
direct attack upon the left flank of
Richmond.

My mind in relation to English intervention, is
easily expressed. The grain crop in entireEurope
is a failure this year, and it is a self evident fact
that we must furnishEngland with bread, and
she must learn, with theSouth, that

Even that most virulent secession sheet
“theRichmond Enquirer,” despairs of foreign aid.
In caseEnglandshould be so hotheaded as tointer-
fere in our civil affairs, she will find that she
not only “puts her foot in it,”but gets in all over.

Ireland will surely revolt and throw off the iron
yoke, andFrance will improve thechance and inflict the long delayed
revenge for their defeat atWaterloo. No! no! Do not
fear.England is but too glad to remain across the
sea and insult us, but is too cowardly to attack
us. I think she will have her hands full to keep
Canada under her thumb. I am daily expecting to
hear that the long smouldering fireswill have
broken out, andCanada declared her independence.
Let it be so. -- we will have a powerful ally on
our own shores, andEngland will tremble.

One remark gave me most sincere pleasure.it isthis
that you have ceased to consider any thing I say as
flattery. I have never intentionally used flattery, for
two reasons -- 1st I know you dislike it -- 2d I detest it.

And when I say you are one of the best
living girls, I say so from a deep, firm conviction
of truth and justice -- nay do not smile, I am a
good reader of character, and my estimates seldom
fall short.

My darling, I admire your patriotism
but I could not say amen to your sacrificing
your life, should I fall. Would it not be wrong?
You know I enlisted to defend my country -- with
my life if needs be, and should I fall, and our
country besaved you should live and enjoy the
fruit of our -- ofmy labor. But I have passed
through fires unharmed, while my comrades fell
around me, and is not thatallpowerful God
able to still protect me --while you pray for me?
Hewill do it.

“Good for you” -- the firmness you displayed
in punishingMiss Lizzie will be of immense
advantage to you hereafter, as you will find.

Certainly you are a good girl for telling me
your experiences, and my own, you must not
hesitate to make me your confidant. I will be
but too happy to share your trials and assist
you in difficulties.

I have not yet heard fromHallie. I
read in the papers that the regiment was
ordered to report atColumbus on the 25th
of this month, but do not know whether they have gone or not.

Where isDora? Did my letter offend
her? If so, kiss her once for me, and ask her topar-
don me, will younot. Speaking of “kisses”
reminds me of my dream last night. My bed
was very hard and I was your trials and assist
you in difficulties.

I have not yet heard fromHallie. I
read in the papers that the regiment was
ordered to report atColumbus on the 25th
of this month, but do not know whether they have gone or not.

Where isDora? Did my letter offend
her? If so, kiss her once for me, and ask her topar-
don me, will younot. Speaking of “kisses”
reminds me of my dream last night. My bed
was very hard and I was quite restless, and
I had just sunk into a troubled sleep when I
felt a soft hand upon myforehead, I instantly
awoke, the room -- it was a pretty chamber -- was
light, but no one was to be seen. I hastily
attired myself, and the light expired. I then
lay down upon my bed and closed my eyes
in deep thought. Scarcely had I done so, when
I felt that same soft, warmhand, on my

forehead. Upon opening my eyes, the light was
again burning, but again no one was to be seen.
As I peered around in a sort of dreamy wonder
I saw a curtain at the opposite end of the room
move slightly, and heard an eager thoughsup-
pressed breathing. Advancing, I drew the curtain
aside, and entered. -- -- threw my
arms around your lovely form, and pressed your
ruby lips to mine. -- and I jumped nearly out
of the tent, treading onsomeones toes in theope-
rations. I had turned partly over and hit the
tent, and a great big bug fell upon my nose --
but I feel that loving kiss still -- so warm and
genial. Wasn't it a funny dream?