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ALS 8 pp. value="1862-01-01" January 01, 1862
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Letter from Charles N. Tenney to Adelaide E. Case
The first day of a New Year and Charles bids Adelaide a Happy New Year. Charles asks for two wishes for the New Year, a letter form Adelaide and Hal's recovery from his illness and laments the lack of letters from Adelaide. He then describes a night on picket and closes by wishing all a good New Year. A second letter on the same day sees Charles in higher spirits, his two wishes for the day being fulfilled, a letter from Adelaide and Hal's recovery. Charles is moved to describe that he has given up the domestic evils of drink, tobacco and cards and thanks Adelaide for her kindness in writing to him.
Letter from Charles N. Tenney to Adelaide E. Case, 1862 January 01
Romney Va. Jany 1st 1862
A happy New year to you, dear
To: Addie
, and my kindest wishes in
your interest.
How do you do, this
beautiful day? Did you ever see such
a beautiful new years day in your life?
The day here is as pleasant as the most
delightful day I ever saw in May.
The main things[ ^wanted^] thought, to make me
perfectly happy to-day, are, first a letter
from myTo: Addie
. second Hal's recovery
from his present indisposition. He has
not been well for the past few days
and last night he was some worse,
but is, I trust, better this morning
I hope he will soon be able to resume
his duties. He is not so bad however, as
to call in the Doctor yet, and I hope will not.
I have[ not] recieved but one letter since
we left Charleston, and that one was sent
to Charleston first. In it you spoke of not
recieving a letter from me since Capt Asper
returned. Have you not recieved any of
the letters I have written? I sent one from
Charleston, one from Parkersburg, one from
Green Spring Run, and two from Romney
together with a picture of "your's truly"
I have been waiting for Wood to return
hoping he would bring me some tidings
from you, but he does not come, and
as I went in and saw Hal, he asked
me to write home and let you know
he was unwell, so I add one more to
the list of unanswered letters.
I was on picket the other day and had
a first rate time. I send you a hasty sketch
of the headquarter of the outpost where I
was stationed. The smaller part of
the house took fire, in the night, and great
excitement ensued in consequence. Many who
were asleep supposed the rebels had attacked
us, and were very much alarmed.
There is a peculiar sort of excitement
in standing on picket guard that I love
One takes his post in the evening, banishes
all though of comfort [unclear: ] rest, and gives
way to his own thoughts, all the time on
the [unclear:
"qui vive"] , expecting to hear the click
of a gun lock, the step of an enemy, or,
perchance, the discharge of a gun itself,
summoning him to another world. The
rustling of the breeze through the dry leaves,
(for there is no snow) or the cry of some night
bird calling for its mate makes him
involuntarily get his gun in readiness
to meet the expected foe. Some times
it happens that inefficient men are placed
on a dangerous post, as on the last night
I stood. A man was placed on a post
near mine, and towards daylight he fancied
he saw a man, preparing to make a
hostile movement: frightened nearly to death
he drew up his musket and fired. An
alarm was thus raised needlessly. In
the morning, we visited the spot where
the supposed [unclear: ] had stood, when lo, a bush
appeared, having seen it move he shot it.
I made a sketch of some points of
interest, intending to send them to you
but while on picket the other day, they
were stolen. Mr. Davis arrived safe did
he not? Did you get the picture?
But I must bring this uninteresting
letter to a
"finis". Do write soon dear
To: Addie
, for I am so lonesome
Give my kind wishes to all, bid Laurie
and Dora (when you see her) a happy new year for me,
and please accept my love yourself
Yours as ever
Charlie
I am perfectly well. & trust you are too. Excuse poor writing. for I have a poor pen
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,
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,
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.
"But fate has decreedI
have no home."
thatone remains, not too proud to
own anoutcast soldier as abrother
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
good boy and is a true man.