Loudon Hights Va Sept 30th 1862
My own loved Addie;
How do you do this beautiful morn-
ing? Didn’t we have a splendid view of “the Sacred soil”
at sunrise? (I mean “us fellows.”) How I wish you had been
her for about an hour. But then its of no use wishing,
for you wouldnt come if the Rebs hadn’t burned the bridges
on the B. & O.R.R. above Martinsburg. You will think
I am in good spirits this morning, will you not? I have
reasons for being so, I can assure you for it should be my duty
to always rejoice. I received your most excellent and
very interesting letter of the 22d Saturday evening, and have
been unable to reply until now, for you must know that
even on Loudon Heights there are military duties to be performed
to the utter exclusion of private enjoyments, and Sometimes to the
extreme annoyance of “our dear selves,” but Gen Geary will not
surrender Harper’s Ferry as did Col. Miles. By the way, was not
that the most disgraceful affair of the campaign? A soldiers death
was the most fortunate thing that could possibly have happened to
him. It certainly shielded his name from disgrace and dishonor.
I trust a full examination will be made of the cases of White and Ford.
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Although Gen Geary has returned and outranks Gen. Green
–Night-hawk- yet he does not take command of the division
as he assumes command of the post at Harpers Ferry, and he is
very active in putting everything in a healthy state, both for
offensive and defensive operations. “Night-hawk”, since the
battle of Antietam has been comparatively quiet, and in conse=
quence, the boys have not been so fierce for “hitting him with
a brick”. He was very cool and collected on the field, and after
we had driven the enemy across the bloody cornfield, he told
our brigade he should remember “the Ohio boys for what we had
done.” “Bub Green” is as delicate as ever, and says “Pa, I cant
drink my coffee without milk.” On the field he rendered very
efficient service, as aid-de-camp to his father.
While I am speaking of “Big-bugs”, I may as well go the rounds.
Uncle Abe is all right, having concluded that the slaves in the
rebellious states after Jany. 1st 1863, shall be forever free. This is the
manifest destiny of slavery–that shrine to which so many thou=
sands have knelt and paid homage. Its days are numbered, and
America must be its sepulchre. Gen. Mclellan is at
Sharpsburg, and though the Government has not yet tendered
its thanks to him, or hardly recognized the late battle as a victory
and a success to our arms, in ridding Maryland thus summarily
he has faith in “God and the Good Cause”, and that ere long
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the Nation will give “honor to whom honor is due.” Few men
labor under such disadvantages as does, and has Gen. McClellan
Devotion to his country seems to be his crime, which he must
expatiate on the scaffold of “political fanaticism”, but thank Heavens, he
is out of reach of the keener weapons of malice. Now of that other “pop-
ular individual”–Chas. N. Tenney–I have only to say that he is
well, and like some one else, is patiently waiting.
I am very glad you consider Ohio and particularly
Turnbull Co. safe from invasion, I have myself, entertained
very serious doubts as to the ability of the “Butternuts” to invade
cross the “La belle Riviere,” and invade our beautiful Ohio.
I have been wondering what Gen. Lee’s army of “ragamuffins”
will say, and do, when they comprehend that a heavy force has
cut off their direct communication with Richmond. I learn
from various sources that a large force under Sigel and
Heintzleman has gone to Warrenton to destroy the communica-
tions between the Valley and Richmond, via that above place, Little
Washington, Sperryville and Thornton’s Gap. If successful, as I
hope it will be, the expedition will make short work in Upper
Virginia, and much sooner than the Rebs anticipate, our army
will be thundering against the walls of the rebel Capital.
Richmond once in our hands, and the cause of Secession
is forever hopeless.
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We have rumors that England has recognized the independence
of the Confederate States, but it produces no feeling beyond that of
contempt for our boys seem impressed with the belief that if
England should be so imprudent as to commit such an act,
that it would result in good for the Union cause rather than
otherwise, For Canada would not long remain inactive, nor
would Ireland.
I have just reviewed this, and the idea has occurred
to me that I may be too political in my letters, and that
they may be not so interesting to you, as they otherwise might
be. If so , my love, do not hesitate to tell me and I will not
write in such a reportorial manner. As to your letters,
darling, any letter from you is interesting and is very dear to
me, and the longer thy are the better.
I must close this now as I wish to write a line to
Hal, and to send in to-day’s mail.
Write very soon to
Your true Charlie
Address Co. H. 7th Ohio Regt.
1st Brig. 2d Div. 12th A.C.
Washington, D.C.
Charles N. Tenney, 7th Ohio, to his fiancee Adelaide Case
MSS 11616
