1862 July 7 Alexandria, Va.

              Alexandria Va July 7th 1862

    Mr. Case
                 Dear Sir
               It is with diffidence that I
write you at this time feeling as I do
that I should have done so much
sooner but I should have done had
I not been expecting a leave of absence
which was promised me.  Circumstances
have transpired which prevent such a
procedure and render it necessary for me
at this late hour to make this communi=
cation by letter instead by means of  a personal inter-
view.
          When a year ago last June I visited
you home at the urgent reques6t of my
friend and Lieut., your son, I became
deeply interested in, and conceived a strong
and ardent affection for your daughter Addie.
Upon the close of my pleasant visit I
requested the favor of correspondent with

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her which she granted, and for which I
have blessed her a thousand times.
     Of the superiority of her intellect
amiability of manner and goodness of
heart I was well convinced during my
stay with you and my admiration, respect,
and love has increased with the passing
of time, and interchange of thought and
sentiment.  I made known to her the
feelings of my heart--my love for her
pure soul, and learned to my delight
that my affection was strongly and deeply
reciprocated.   As yet, I had not
learned whether or not you would give
your approbation of her action in regard to
the matter, and accordingly wrote her in
quiring if you were informed of the "state
of affairs," and she answered that she had
informed you, and that you had bade her "be
happy."  Of course, I had not for a
moment thought that she would take
steps in so important an action, without
receiving your approval, and I was well

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aware that Halbert was acquainted with
the "status" and that his superior and
proper judgment would admit of nothing
wrong or injudicious, hence my silence
to you.
       I love your daughter with an affection
as lasting as life itself and am assured feel that this
sentiment is reciprocated by her.  Have
I your consent to make her mine at the
close of this unhappy war, or at some time
she may designate?
       In making this request of you I feel all
due deference and respect to your parental
power and judgment, also feeling, that
diffidence attendant upon a person like
myself, nearly a stranger, while making a
like request.   It is perhaps, not nec-
essary,--yet really due,-- for me to give you
a history of past life, as it is known to both
Addie and Hal.  I might , if necessary,
refer you to persons living East in regard to
my character in past years, but permit me
to say, (and I feel a pride in [stating?]) that I

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am guilty of no crime nor dishonor.  the
company officers of this Co will bear witness
of my conduct since I entered the service
that I am guilty of nothing dishonorable
Of my pecuniary affairs I can say little
beyond that I have strong hands, and a
willing heart and "what others have done I can
do."  Beyond my earnings while in the
army I expect nothing save what I can earn
and from past endeavors I feel assured that
the power lies with me.
     May I hope for your approval?  give me
your daughter Mr Case, and I will strive
to make her future life one of happiness.
     Hoping soon to receive your
approbation I beg leave to subscribe
myself

          your humble & obt servant
                  Charles N. Tenney

Please direct
                   (Co H, 7th Ohio Regt
                       3d Brigade, Shields Division
                         Washington D. C.)
 Please give my kind regards to Mrs. Case
and family.



Halbert:  Lieut Halbert B. Case, Co. H. 7th Ohio

MSS 11616