Warrenton C.H. July 26th 1862
My own darling Addie:
Here am I far from Alexandria
and moving in the face of the enemy, and as
merry as a lark expecting the unpleasant fact
–our mails will again be irregular. However
I shall write very often, and trust to my
good luck for the sending of them.
I received your charming letter day before
yesterday, and immediately sat down to an-
swer it, when the order came–“Be ready to
move at 12 oclock, with 3 days cooked ra=
tions.” However unpleasant orders are, they
must be obeyed. I packed up my “duds,”
and then commenced the tedious work of
waiting further orders. This is a state of sus=
pense, during which, one can do nothing by
be painfully idle, unless he feels disposed to
dare the vengeance of the Colonel by “cutting
up some mischief.[“] Our boys were too full
of fun to allow a single chance to pass, so
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some mischievous acts were committed which
happily were of a nature as such to produce no
injury. I enclose you a rough pen & ink sketch
showing how a poor irishman’s cart loaded
while he was gathering old clothes etc.
But I am getting too fast. After waiting
until dark, we were told that we would
start at 5 in the morning. Upon this, I com-
menced writing again, but had scarcely wri=
ten three lines, when these notes rang forth
from the Bugle [four gars of music sketched]
admonishing me to “fall in for roll-call,” and ere
I could commence again, “Extinguish lights” was
sounded, and exasperated, I obtired[sic]
We fell in again in the morning, marched
down to the R.R. and waited until nearly
night, then embarked for Warrenton. We
remained at Warrenton Junction until this
morning, when we were whirled up to the
city of Warrenton, a beautiful little place,
but rebel to the core. What a blighting
curse is Secession–Rebellion to a great
and good government! The first secessionist
was Satan.
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But you ladies, (no flattery) are pure, and
noble patriots, and your letters do more towards
making the army firm, unflinching patriots,
than any one thing else. God bless our noble
ladies. And my love is one of the noblest
and best. do you know, dearest, that
I long anxiously for happier days, when
Addie will be mine? But let us not antic=
ipate, but trust in Providence.
My health was never better, thanks
to you, and you may be sure that if care
is of any avail, I shall not be ill, at least,
until furloughs are granted.
I will say that we are now in the
Reserve army corps, and are not exposed to
any immediate danger. So my charmer, dont
be alarmed with fears for my safety; Addie’s
[prayers are invulnerable armor for me, for
God answers his children’s petitions.
Did you really imagine I was reproving
you? I was not, and had I thought you
would have received so, I would not have writ=
ten in that manner. In fact I felt the re=
proof you so kindly gave me, and was going to
receive it in good humor–which I did–and
well–forgive me love, please–
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Halie was right in his letter, but we will hope it
may be consummated without such a sacrifice.
My life is nothing, if by its sacrifice, our country
can be saved. Am I not right? does not your
heart say “amen“? Thank you for your correction
of my mistake in regard to “future“; but did
I did not say “when fortune favors,” instead of “future“?
I thought so, or at least I intended to write it so.
The photograph was a signal failure; the fact
is, Alexandria artists cannot execute a good like=
ness. But as soon as a loyal artist can get a
chance, I shall have a good picture.
I shall answer Lauries letter as soon as possible,
which will doubtless be to-night.
I learn with pleasure that Ohio is promptly
answering to the call for troops, and Trumbull county
will not be behind I am sure. You ladies can
help the matter by politely inviting “ladies men“
like Richardson to serve their country, or be
considered traitors.
But I must close now, and will write
again, without fail, in a very few days, meanwhile
I remain
Your ardent and true
Charlie
Charles Tenney, 7th Ohio Infantry
MSS 11616