Tenney, Charles N. Letter from Charles N. Tenney to Adelaide E. Case, 1862 January 01
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Letter from Charles N. Tenney to Adelaide E. Case, 1862 January 01
Romney Va.; Happy New years.,
My dear friend;-
Although I have once
written to day, duty andmy own
inclination lead me to pen a
few more scattered thoughts to
my dearest, kindest, friendTo: Addie
Now, to speak truly, I feel
more like myself to-night than
this morning, for two reasons,
which reasons, are the fulfillment
of my two wishes expressed in
my note of this morning [unclear: orig] . --
the reception of a letter from you
and about Hal's getting better.
He is some better tonight, though
not well. The wind has been
blowing very hard,all day,
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Page 2.
and the tent kept flapping a [unclear:
making a very disagreable noi
to Hal, consequently, a severe hea
ache ensued, but the gale has
in a measure subsided, and I
trust a good night's rest will
restore him to his wanted good
health. But to turn to oth
subjects. Have you passed a
happy new-year's day? and did
you thoughts revert once[ of] to
"Soldier boy"
Charlie? and wonder
if he was engaged in some
Bechanalian excesses? Thanks,
To: Addie
, for the question which sis-
ter Laurie prompted you to ask
me. You may inform her that
Charlie never was intoxicated in
his life, and furthermore, while
at[illeg.] Summersville, I
pledged myself to"touch not
,
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3rd Page taste not, handle not the wine,"
or,
in other words became a teetotaller.
In making these assertions, I think
I can be borne out in them by Co. H.
and its officers. While on the subject[s]
of domestic evils, let me remark that
over two months ago, I eschewed the
use of tobacco in any form, and while
at Green Spring Run, I forswore the
practice of playing cards. This I did
for my own benefit and character
hereafter. IsTo: Addie
satisfied with this
statement? It is I believe the truth.
Oh! the temptations of a soldier's life!
How great the want of some restraining
influence at home!"Home,"
Tears invol=
untarily spring to my eyes as I utter
that endearing word, and think."I
have no home."
But fate has decreed
thatone remains, not too proud to
own anoutcast soldier as abrother
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That you should find anything
worthy a sister's love in my poor
self, is a matter of wonder to me.
How can I ever repay you for your
kindness in noticing one so far
below your happy position?
But, do I wound you? Forgive me
dear, kind sister, and I will endeav [unclear: ]
or to dispel the unpleasant state
of mind, which has come over me
in a few moments ofbitter thought
Would you know how the day
has been passed by me? Well
in the morning, after performing
the usual routine, I called on Hal
and was pained to learn that he
had passed an ill night, after
fulfilling his request to write home,
I read"Guy Mannering"
until
Battalion drill, after which I returned
to attend to the wants of my
brother Hall where I now am and will remain
tonight Geo. Moore is with me and requests
me to give his respects to"the family,"
I suppose he
[sic] some one articular. By the bye George is a
good boy and is a true man.
