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The Correspondence of Charles Tenney with Adelaide Case, 1861-1863
Letters of Charles Tenney
1861

Thirteen letters
1862

Forty-one letters
Undated letters and fragments

Including Charlie's diary

Copyright 2005, by the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia.
Commercial use prohibited. Please see our Conditions of Use.
1861, from Charlie to Addie:

June 16, 1861
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Letter 		Camp Dennison, Ohio. Charlie alludes to Addie's brother, Hallie's recent promotion to lieutenant status and expresses his own "secret" desire to achieve higher status as well. The Ninth and the artillery division have shipped off to Virginia, and he expects his division (7th) will follow in the next week or two. He would like Addie to come and visit his camp with the "ladies of Warren" via train before they change location. He asks Addie if they can exchange ambrotypes (photographs).
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September 16, 1861
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Letter 		Charlie writes about life in the army while mentioning towns that the boat he is writing on goes down the Ohio River. He talks about first seeing action at Cross Lanes and about other Ohio regiments fighting at Carnix's Ford (presumably Carnifex (or Carnifix) Ferry).
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September 24, 1861 [RBS2006]
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Letter 		On Board Silver Lake, September 24, 1861 Tenney is on guard duty. He thinks the Kanawha Valley is the most beautiful he has seen and thinks it is a sacrilege" the war will deform it. Tenney also gives a vivid description of passing the charred remains of the Confederate steamer "Julia Moffit" and of the circumstances that sank it. He says he will be glad when the war is over as it is like "hitting friends," but he writes that he believes firmly in continuing his duty.
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October 1, 1861
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Letter 		Charleston, Va. (W. Va.), October 1, 1861 Tenney writes that the valley has become quiet, so he is off the boat. He describes severe flooding in Charleston with river swelling because of heavy rains; he says the whole town like a "little Venice." Tenney tells of an instance where he went to aid of "Secesh" woman whose entire house and furnishings were ruined with "the more superstitious thinking the flood was a judgment on the South for engaging in the war."
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October 10, 1861
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Letter 		Illegible letter October 10, 1861 This is a largely illegible letter in which Tenney appears to be discussing the war's strategy.
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October 24, 1861
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Letter 		Charles indirectly calls Addie "dearest", says he eagerly awaits letters from her, and compliments her as the "prettiest correspondent". He describes his guard duty and his Regiment (which is now complete, including the band): its drills, Parade and current position two miles from Charleston. He will probably come with Hal to visit her on furlough, as she requests, but is unsure when that will be. He disavows any deep love for Dora; asks to be remembered to Laurie, whose advice he recalls; offers Addie a kiss (but then marks this out); and sends respects from Seth and Will.
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December 3, 1861
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Letter
Charlie praises his health and state of mind, attributing it to the fact that he recently met Addie and her brother. He goes on to thank Addie for the present she sent him. He reassures her of his love and hopes that it is mutual.
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December 11, 1861
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Letter 		Charles Tenney writes Adelaide E. Case from Parkersburg, Va., describing his arrival on the steamer Decatur and his imminent departure by railroad to Grafton, Va. He suggests the happiness he derives from his correspondence with Addie.
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December 14, 1861
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Letter 		Charles writes about a railroad trip with his regiment beginning in Parkersburg and ending in Green Spring Run. He is poetic in his description, in passing through Grafton he describes "the silver beams of morning...scattering darkness away." The trip continues through Oakland and Cumberland, in the latter the regiment was "warmly welcomed" by the townspeople. The journey is physically uncomfortable but the scenery is beautiful. He asks Addie if she has been sleighing yet, asks after her family, and details a new type of powder explosive. He discusses some military news, gives her his newest address and requests a long letter the next time.
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December 18, 1861
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Letter 		Charlie Tenney, writing from Romney, Virginia, informs Addie that he believes his regiment will fight in a battle in near future and lists the other Union regiments stationed in the area. He also refers to the importance of their correspondence by mentioning the frequency of the letters he is exchanging with Addie.
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n.d. 1861
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Letter 		Charlie describes a muster of his Regiment, the Seventh, called out to suppress a rebellion among the Tenth and Thirteenth Regiments. He relates Colonel Tyler's praise for the Seventh, and offers his own for Lieutenants Case, Wood, and H. B.
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1862, from Charlie to Addie:
January 1, 1862
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Letter 		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.
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January 9, 1862
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Letter 		Tenney tells of four inches of snow and of fighting at [Blew's Gap], sixteen miles from Romney, with Federals breaking and running. However, Tenney did not participate because he was on picket guard.
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January 12, 1862
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Letter 		Charles N. Tenney describes a 24-mile retreat from Romney and Springfield toward Cumberland.
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January 13, 1862
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Letter 		Letter, January 13, 1862 Tenney makes an ardent declaration of love to Addie.
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January 15, 1862
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Letter 		Letter, January 15, 1862 Tenney writes an affectionate letter in which he describes Addie's brother Hal's temporary elevation to command of the company. He mentions his sketching and says he will send some sketches of members of the mess. Tenney calls his position a strong one as described by General Lander (Frederick West).
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January 18, 1862
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Letter 		Camp Kelly, Va., January 18, 1862 Tenney describes his deep love for Addie despite his lack of an elevated position in life and says he waits anxiously for her response.
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January 23, 1862
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Letter 		Charlie writes to Addie about his pleasure in receiving her letter and asks permission to love her. He mentions stormy weather and wintry conditions in camp and anticipates an imminent advance to the Potomac, preventing him from applying for a furlough to return home. He describes his estrangement from his family but assures her he "detests cowardice" and is "without dishonour".
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January 30, 1862
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Letter 		Camp Kelly, Va., January 30, 1862 Tenney writes a long and devout love letter with mention that Gen. McClellan has dampened his hopes for a furlough, but thinks he may come home in July if Winchester is taken before then.
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February 15, 1862
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Letter 		Charles asks Adelaide to send him a miniature of her likeness which he equates with an engagement. He asks Adelaide to marry him. He also comments on the movement of the regiment and mentions that now he is able to sleep in a tent.
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February 23, 1862
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Letter 		Tenney is near the [PawPaw] Tunnel. He muses to Addie about their romance and how wearily the time passes for him. He describes Washington's birthday celebration the previous day with "arches of evergreen, flags raised, and tents wreathed and decorated in a tasteful manner." The Brigade, consisting of the 7th and 29th Ohio, 110th Pa., 7th Indiana and 1st Va. Regiments, was reviewed by General Lander, who said the "7th is the best regiment in his department." However, Tenney adds, all the best officers in the regiment are resigning and going home. Tenney thinks resignations are due to the fact that the regiment head, Maj. Gen. Erastus Barnard Tyler, is a "ruined and unprincipled head."
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February 26, 1862
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Letter 		Praises her friendship; happy to receive a letter from her, which he will now answer. Fears that she is suffering on his account, but he is actually very well, as Hallie will assure her. Describes daily routine of the 3d Brigade. Began correspondence with Miss [Swancie?] Holcombe of Oberlin to encourage the dispirited Sergeant Moore to get a similar correspondent; now she has responded, and he wonders whether he shouldn't have Addie's permission to continue the exchange. Recounts comments by fellows sitting around him. Mentions Chauncey Corn, now of Co. A, 29th Regiment. They would like more newspapers, but don't send books, which are hard to transport. Asks after "Auntie," Laurie and Miss [Hegloss]; Will Braden and Sergeant Moore send their regards.
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February 27, 1862 letter to the editor from Charlie
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Letter 		Requests editors of unnamed newspaper to insert remarks of a soldier. Concerned over officers resigning from 7th Ohio Regiment. Have lost chaplain, Mr. Brown, and Lieutenant Case. Who will be next? Does anyone know the reason? Will the colonel also resign?
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February 28, 1862
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Letter 		Charles receives a longed for letter from Adelaide and thanks her for it. He discusses how as a single man it is difficult to find people to vouch for his character, especially as he is in not on amiable terms with his father's family. He chastises Mollie for disapproving of Adelaide taking time to write, and then describes his religious sentiments professing his faith is not as it should be, but that the Bible is his most precious book.
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March 2, 1862 [RBS2006]
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Letter 		SUMMARY
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March 3, 1862
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Letter 		Camp Tyler, March 3, 1862 Tenney describes the ceremony surrounding the funeral of Gen. Lander and the "Noble 7th's" part in it. He asks Addie to marry him.
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March 21 and 28, 1862
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Letter 		Camp Shields, Va., March 21, 1862 Tenney briefly notes skirmishes at Cedar Creek and vividly describes in detail what it is like to participate in a bombardment at Strasburg.
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April 7, 1862
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Letter 		Camp Woodstock, Va., April 7, 1862 Tenney protests an embargo on sending mail. He says skirmishes continue everyday and quotes from a talk by a chaplain which he thinks warrants attention--"The cardinal sins of the army are--intemperance, profanity, murmuring and robbery. These, sooner or later, will bite like a serpent and sting like an adder."
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April 9, 1862
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Letter 		Camp Tyler, April 9, 1862 Tenney gives intensifying protestations of love to Addie and says there has been snow and hail the last three days.
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April 11, 1862 [TO DO -- no transcript]
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Letter 		Camp Tyler, April 11, 1862 , one letter, on stationary with the printed poem, "The Soldier's Dream" Tennney says he has heard official counts of what he describes as Union victories and tells of contradictions in the term "glorious victories." He lists numerous rumors flying about in camp concerning various military victories and defeat.
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April 22, 1862
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Letter 		Apologizing for neglecting to write sooner, Charlie writes from New Market, Virginia, that he has caught a severe cold. Nonetheless, he declares his desire to continue serving the Union cause. In particular, he relates a heated discussion with a 15 year old Southern girl, to whom he showed a picture of "a certain hand-some Ohioan." Through this account (which involved no small amount of flirting on Charlie's part) Charlie professes both his love for his Yankee girl and his devotion to the Yankee cause.
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April 28, 1862
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Letter 		New Market, April 28, 1862 one letter Tenney comments favorably on Addie's new school teaching career. He glories over the beautiful spring and reminds her that he will be 21 years old soon.
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May 11, 1862 [TO DO -- no transcript]
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Letter 		New Market, May 11, 1862 Tenney writes that his group will start a march tomorrow for Fredericksburg. He says several officers have resigned because tents are being taken away for a month, and they must sleep in the open.
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August 13, 1862
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Letter 		Charlie writes to Addie after the battle of Cedar Mountain, which took place on August 9 in Culpeper County, Virginia. He stresses that he is unharmed but names several men who were killed or wounded. Charlie owes his safety to having been ordered off the front to take care of the Colonel's horse.
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August 18, 1862
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Letter 		Writing from Culpepper Court House, Virginia, Charlie reports that he has formally asked Addie's father for her hand in marriage, and enthusiastically quotes her his positive reply. He apologizes to "his Queen" for making the request without telling her in advance. Changing the subject, Charles goes on to defend McClellan's tactics and predicts that England will not intervene on the Confederate side because of the fact of a bad grain crop, along with the threat of Irish and Canadian rebellion and French retaliation.
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September 5, 1862 [RBS2006]
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Letter 		Camp in Maryland near Georgetown, September 5, 1862 Tenney describes a long move to Maryland, giving details of enemy encounters at Centreville and Fairfax Court House. He also tells of the deaths of Generals Stevens (Isaac Ingalls) and Kearney (Philip) at Chantilly. Tenney says, "General Pope has very poorly met the expectations of the nation," and he rejoices in General McClellan's appointment as commander of the Army of the Potomac.
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September 9, 1862
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Letter 		Charles provides Adelaide with a brief overview of his daily routine and of the enlisted men's opinions of their commanders, including a few barbed comments about his own division commander, General Green. After relating some current rumors about enemy activity in the region, he dismisses them with the assurance that he never pays attention to such gossip. He defends General Geary against recent charges of destruction and cowardice, made against him in the Cleveland Leader, and maintains that no better Brig. Gen. exists, than John. W. Geary. He closes with an appeal for a longer letter.
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September 21, 1862
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Letter 		Charlie describes his regiment's participation in the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862, and reports that Maryland is free from Confederate control. He closes by asking about Addie's school.
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September 25, 1862 [RBS2006]
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Letter 		Blue Ridge Mountains near Harper's Ferry, September 25, 1862 Tenney describes the location as one a "great natural beauty. As far as romance goes, this is the most interesting place we have been in." He tells of his arrival in Harper's Ferry and gives a description of the results of the action in the town. He defends General McClellan's actions and gives a long dissertation on role of N.Y. Tribunein its "indiscriminate" attacks on McClellan. Tenney also explains why the love of country should be paramount to the love of God.
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September 26, 1862, from Charlie to Minnie [RBS2006]
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Letter 		Loudon Heights September 26, 1862 Tenney writes to Minnie (Addie's sister) describing recent troop movements and battles. He points out that "Maryland is free from Rebel tread, though polluted by Rebel dead."
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September 30, 1862
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Letter 		Charlie writes to Addie from London Heights, Virginia, mostly of "political" matters, for which he apologizes at the end. He tells about politics within the regiment, the movement of enemy troops in the region, and their likelihood of success in the war. He also supports the abolishment of slavery and comments on the rumor that England has officially recognized the confederacy.
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October 13, 1862
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Letter 		Charlie writes to Addie from Harper's Ferry, Virginia. He is very happy about Hal's promotion and talks about Seth Coon who will be his new partner. Charlie and several soldiers built a log house for themselves because there is little space for new recruits. Responding to an item in Addie's most recent letter, he addresses the issue of housekeeping: he expects a wife to be proficient in such matters, but has no wish to "make a servant of my wife."
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October 21, 1862
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Letter 		Charlie has been feeling down but expresses a resolve to cheer up with the help of "an hours conversation with my treasure", taking Addie's portrait as surrogate interlocutor. One great source of sadness is Charlie's family's apparent indifference to his military service. He has been left behind as his regiment decamped -- he is under physician's orders to rest in order to overcome an unspecified ailment. The regiment has moved to Hillsborough, and Charlie suspects that McClellan intends to hinder the enemy's movements in that area. After remembering a love of Byron's poetry that he shares with Adelaide, he invites Adelaide to a word-tour of two hospitals where his injured comrades receive treatment.
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November 7, 1862
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Letter 		Charley describes the Brigade's march to Harper's Ferry, and says he may well be there for the winter in the enviable position of Clerk to the Provost Marshal. He hopes to take a furlough during the winter to visit Addie, but realizes it may be impossible. He responds to Addie's letter in which she describes an affair between her sister, Laura, and Mr. Grant. Charley is astounded at Mr. Grant's "low" and "vile" behavior, and believes God will "mete out justice to such men". Charley wishes happiness to Laura in her new "estate" as Mrs. Thompson. Charley also expresses regret that Hal was not successful in "filling up the 84th" but imagines that Addie will be pleased because this means Hal will not return to the field.
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November 13, 1862
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Letter 		Charles apologizes to Adelaide for not more quickly responding to an earlier letter from her, but explains that he has been ill and is only just recovering. He promises to reply to her letter as soon as he can. He also comments on a marriage and asks Adelaide to send his "compliments" to the happy pair.
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November 25, 1862
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Letter 		Charley apologizes for not writing, reassures Addie that he is in good health, and explains that he has been unusually busy with his clerical work. It is late at night and raining heavily; he wishes he could be with Addie, and asks whether she thinks he should request a discharge. He has not received any letters from Hal, and has heard only from Addie about Hal's departure for Michigan. He comments on General McClellan's removal from the command of the Army of the Potomac and on his admirable qualities, and hopes that General Burnside will be more successful (while pointing out the circumstances that may prevent this). He asks for a description of Thanksgiving dinner and wishes Addie pleasant dreams and happiness.
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Charlie's Letters: 1861 1862 Undated


Undated Letters and Fragments, from Charlie to Addie:

June 5, n.d.
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Letter 		SUMMARY
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June 29, n.d.
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Letter 		SUMMARY
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Fragment 1 n.d. (journal)
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Letter 		SUMMARY
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Fragment 2 n.d.
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Letter 		SUMMARY
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Fragment 3 n.d.
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Letter 		SUMMARY
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Fragment 4 n.d.
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Letter 		SUMMARY
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Fragment 5 n.d.
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Letter 		SUMMARY
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Fragment 6 n.d.
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Letter 		SUMMARY
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Fragment 7 n.d.
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Letter 		SUMMARY
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Fragment 8 n.d.
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Letter 		SUMMARY
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Fragment 9 n.d.
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Letter 		SUMMARY
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Fragment 10 n.d.
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Letter 		SUMMARY
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Fragment 11 n.d.
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Letter 		SUMMARY
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