1862 June 14 near Luray, Va.

[letter of Charles Tenney of the 7th Ohio to Adelaide Case continues]

                       Morning
      The birds around me are having
a fine time, this beautiful morn; (it
is not fully daylight) a more perfect
matinee I never heard.  I have just
come off guard, and I thought I would
be benefited more by writing than by doing
any thing else.  I--with 14 others--- am
guarding some two dozen Beeves (for the army,)
about a mile from camp,  Our quarters
are directly opposite a neat, two story frame
house, whose occupants at present consist
of an old gentleman, nearly three score
and ten, his wife,also quite advanced in
age, and three daughters, the eldest perhaps,
being about twenty four, all of whom are
intelligent young ladies, and every way en=
titled to the term "ladies."  The principles
of the family are conservative, but a son
having been conscripted by the rebel army,
and forced into their ranks, they, very nat=
urally are anxious for his sake.  I have
conversed with nearly all the family, and

[page 4]
they all express a wish that the Union may
be restored.   But I must ask you of
Hal's whereabouts,  I have not heard one word
from him for a long, long time.  I he unwell?
I do so miss his letters.  By the way I must
mention the fact that yourself and Laurie are
my only "lady correspondents."  At least I suspect
such is the case, as I have not heard from
Miss Holcomb for a long time.  But darling, I am
not very sorry, I assure you as I accomplished my
object, which was to get my friend Moore interested
in some correspondent, for I knew no better way
than to write to a total stranger.
      Did I ever tell you that he received a severe
"disappointment in love,"  when home last
Winter?  Such was the case, and he had not
the fortitude to bear up under it,  I could see
that it was literally killing him, so proposed the
above plan to direct his mind, and it succeeded.
Now if Miss Holcomb wishes to discontinue the
correspondence, so strangely commenced, why, of course
I am perfectly willing to do so too.
     So you need my assistance, do you, my pretty little
school ma'am?  You surely have a sad case.
It seems so horrible to think that such infidel
teachings should so soon be inculcated in their youth-
ful minds.  I think I should not compel them
to read or learn the Bible, but by kind teaching,
apparently directed to the entire school, but pertinent
to their case, teach them Bible truths, but in so
doing, one must avoid all sectional teachings, or
shey will transcend his privileges as teacher.
    I should embrace every opportunity to impress such
simple illustrations of the existence of a Supreme Being
of his goodness, and other attributes, as are every day
seen;  I should try and simplify the lessons of nature
such as the succession of day and night, and the seasons
vegetation, adaptation of different animals to our wants which
&c &c and endeavor to show that all this is the work
of a great and good God, and not the fortunes of chance.
   There, you have my advice, or rather what I would do
and you can follow it, or not, as best suits you, and if it is
any benefit to you I shall be a thousand times rewarded

[in left hand margin of page 1]
I left Luray C.H. Day before yesterday, and resumed duty in Camp.  Our clothing is
not yet at hand.