12 May 1862

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Writes that the Rebels have retreated, but have destroyed the bridge going across the Rappahannock River. Informs her that Fredricksburg is now in their possession, and that Rebels have destroyed two million dollars worth of property there. Speculates he will be home by September.

GLC03523.08.37

23 May 1862

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

Informs his father that they are preparing for battle, and will move across the river where they will meet about 25,000 Rebel soldiers. Reports that a portion of General Nathaniel Bank's troops have come, but because the Confederates have "worked their way into the rear" of General Johnson, they will have to return. Also informs him that General James Shields returned as well. Notes that President Abraham Lincoln, Secretary Edwin M. Stanton, and Major General Irvin McDowell, "with Jefferson Davis negro" reviewed them on Friday afternoon. Comments on General George McCall's position as Major…

GLC03523.08.38

8 June 1862

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

Provides his father with a comprehensive military report. Mentions that General Irvin McDowell has received orders to come across the river and reinforce General George McClellan. McDowell refused, so instead, a portion of General Nathaniel Bank's force had to come. Notes that Richmond is still in enemy possession. States that General George McCall has received a dispatch to proceed directly to Richmond. Speaks of the weather, telling his father that the rain has been so heavy it washed away four of the Rappahannock River's bridges.

GLC03523.08.39

6 July 1862

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

Writes from a camp near James River, [Virginia]. Details latest military endeavors, starting with an arms inspection by General George McClellan. Soon thereafter, the Rebels began to shell and the soldiers were ordered onto a different part of the field by General George McCall. Notes that Confederate General Stonewall Jackson was there. Describes a battle that was full of such panic he wrote, "the Rebels were right behind them, shur it was that Stonewall Jackson lost his life struck by shell from our own battery." Written in pencil on stationery with small blue and red image of man holding a…

GLC03523.08.40

28 October 1862

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Writes that he is not sure how much longer it will be until he rejoins the regiments. Reports to his sister that he is still feeling very sick, with a fever and no appetite. Mentions that he thinks the whole army may cross the river into Virginia and that "the papers here state that they are to have possession of both Petersburg & Gardensville before the first freeze."

GLC03523.08.47

11 November 1862

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

Reports that he has gained four pounds since he has been at the hospital, noting that "the night I left Uncle Jimmy's I weighed 120 pounds" and he now weighs 124. Asks for his father's opinion on General George McClellan's removal of the army from the Potomac. Remarks that he has seen in the papers here "that they censure both him and General Wool on this Harper's Ferry surrender." Written on stationery with "US Army General Hospital, Newton University, Baltimore" letterhead.

GLC03523.08.49

12 June 1863

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

Informs his father about the draft commencing in Baltimore on Monday, noting that the "Secessionist dont like it much." States that there have "been two Hospitals broken up in this city the last week or two," noting that his hospital now has 158 patients. Reports that he enjoys his position at the hospital more than he anticipated. Written on stationery with "US Army General Hospital, Newton University, Baltimore" letterhead.

GLC03523.08.73

19 June 1863

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

Reports that 1200 prisoners passed through Baltimore from Vicksburg today and that The New York Seventh arrived yesterday. Tells his father that the hospital now has 185 patients and is filling up quickly as the "wonded are arriving in this city by the Hundreds." Informs him that he has heard that "[Joseph] Hooker is at the point of Rocks and [Robert E.] Lee is at Harpers Ferry. The supposition is now that the next battle fought will be on the old Antietam Battle Ground." Remarks that is time for General George McClellan to be placed in command of the Army of the Potomac. Shares that he…

GLC03523.08.74

26 June 1863

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Describes the atmosphere in Baltimore, telling his sister that "the Military Authorities are throwing up Earthworks all around the city. Now seizing every Nigger they find on the streets and sending them out to work on the entrenchements." Informs her that they now have over 200 patients in the hospital, and he recently saw in the papers that the Rebels are near the Capital. Writes, "If [Ulysses S.] Grant keep on fooling at Vicksburg it will be a second pennisula affair." Notes he has not heard much from General Joseph Hooker's army. Testifies that he thinks the two armies are "about equally…

GLC03523.08.75

6 July 1863

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Reports that they are receiving patients "every five minutes" at the hospital, as the "city is flooded with wounded." Tells her there "was considerable excitement in the city...as some of the scouting parties of the rebels came within 7 miles of the city." Asks for their father's opinion on General George Meade, noting that since General George McClellan left they need a man "capable of handling the army of the Potomac." Also writes, "The report came in here to night that Lee has offered to surrender. But I know better than that. For Meade is a smart man, but he cant take Lee a prisoner."…

GLC03523.08.76

8 July 1863

Knox, Andrew, 1835-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Knox

Knox writes to his wife from Fort Scott in Virginia. Expresses deep love for her. Comments "It will be a source of great gratification for me to know that we have done our share towards preserving the Union and Liberties of our country." Inquires about the baby and requests a lock of her hair. Asks when the baby will be baptized. Reports he is officer of the day and they will start for Fort Richardson. Complains about fleas. Says Confederate General Robert E. Lee is so badly defeated, the rebels will not be able to recover. Letter has a Union logo on it.

GLC03523.20.08

11 July 1864

Knox, Andrew, 1835-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Knox

Knox writes to his wife from camp outside Petersburg, Virginia. Inquires about the shirt and socks she sent him. Informs her the gun he fires into Petersburg is called the Petersburg Express and takes fourteen seconds to reach its target. Mentions his regiment reports directly to Union General Ulysses S. Grant. States he is along the Appomattox River. Comments Union General Ambrose Burnside is there with the 9th Corps.

GLC03523.20.11

19 July 1864

Knox, Andrew, 1835-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Knox

Knox writes to his wife from camp outside Petersburg, Virginia. Expresses how down-hearted and lonesome he feels. Reports heavy artillery on the picket lines, even at night. Informs her they will use new thirteen inch mortar shells that weigh 200 pounds each instead of the Petersburg Express. Writes about the death of their young child and his belief that she was too good for this earth. Letter includes a brief postscript written the following morning.

GLC03523.20.12

27 July 1864

Knox, Andrew, 1835-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Knox

Knox writes to his wife from camp outside Petersburg, Virginia. Complains about the lack of letters from her. Expresses anxiety about her well-being. Suspects the siege has not begun yet. States he is not kept busy enough, and they cannot get the rebels to fire a shell at their battery. Claims he has never missed her more. Reports he has a severe cold. Mentions two men in the company died of typhoid fever. Letter continues on 28 July 1864. Says the rebels opened fire and he had to return fire for two hours which silenced them.

GLC03523.20.14

14 September 1864

Knox, Andrew, 1835-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Knox

Knox writes to his wife from a camp outside Petersburg, Virginia. Reports eight shells were fired into Petersburg last night. Expresses happiness at receiving three letters from her. Complains of the cold weather and sleeping outside. Comments on the large number of men from Danbury, Connecticut who have enlisted and expresses his wish they would join his regiment. Discusses several rumors regarding the discharge date for officers. Informs he will stay until March 1865 due to his sense of duty. Feels he will be offered a promotion to Captain, but will decline as he wants to get home to her.…

GLC03523.20.17

21 September 1864

Knox, Andrew, 1835-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Knox

Knox writes to his wife from a camp outside Petersburg, Virginia. Expresses deep love for her and gratitude for her support of the war. Predicts success for the Union is imminent. Refers to Union control of the Weldon Railroad in Petersburg, Virginia and the capture of Mobile, Alabama. Mentions a grand salute with large mortars in honor of these victories.

GLC03523.20.18

16 September 1861

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Relays, "That account of the affair at big falls is all a big lie they put in anything to make the papers sell. Their was no musketry shot returned by our Regiment. The Artillery only answered them the next day and then they did not return the fire." Continues on about the newspapers, commenting "I reckon the newspapers had another blow in about that affair down the falls church. We was called out but only get down as far as the chain bridge before the fight was over." Mentions that she will probably "here tell of a Movement of McClellan that will quite surprise you. In his speech to the…

GLC03523.08.17

20 September 1861

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

Writes to his mother, discussing whether or not some men from home will be enlisting in the army. Confides, "As I know about a soldiers life. But the best thing he can do is stay at home and have a little more sense than I had." Reports that he heard heavy firing on Tuesday while he was on picket duty, but a "heavy storm came and put a stop to the firing." Asks that she send him a number of things, such as woolen socks, shirts, and a wooden pipe. Written on red and blue bordered stationery with a small image of a woman and the words, "Union and Prosperity" in the top left corner.

GLC03523.08.18

25 September 1861

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Informs sister that some of the "Baptor five Zouaves" came through his camp this morning. Reports that they were received by General George McClellan and their new Brigadier General, George Meade. Tells her that everything is quiet now. In a post script, relates that she should not be concerned if he isn't home for Christmas, stating that he expects to eat Christmas dinner in Philadelphia, "for they are now getting the enemy completely surrounded." Last page of letter written in pencil. Written on red and blue bordered stationery with a small image of a woman and the words, "Union and…

GLC03523.08.19

17 December 1861

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister and Father

First half of letter written to his sister from Camp Pierpont. Includes newspaper clippings, noting that they are in regards to General George McCall and his division, as well as some "poetry dedicated to the Ranger's which I knew you will like it after you read it." The second half of the letter is addressed to his father, relaying information of the trial of Lieutenant Howell in Washington and "about a dozen" other men. Comments that "the reason we took the women prisinors was on account of being spies." Also divulges that a man named Johnson, who joined the Lincoln Cavalry in New York was…

GLC03523.08.24

25 October 1861

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

Writes from Camp Pierpont, Virginia. Recounts to him, "you heard of the battle of Balls Bluff where the Rebels were victorious. They killed about 600 men altogether... besides the prisoners they took." Also reports that they caught the traitor, a clerk from the War Department, who had defeated General George McClellan's plans of taking Munson Hill. States that "if we had stayed 24 hours longer we would all been killed or taken Prisinors." Confesses, "I made no attempt to vote as I aint of age." First 4 pages of letter written on stationery with a image of red, white, and blue image of woman…

GLC03523.08.20

25 November 1861

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Reports "within 3 weeks, you will hear tell of the Battle of Manassas Junction for Gen. McClellan has deceided to take that place what ever it may cost them. the campaign in Virginia will be over. And I guess we the Pennsylvania Reserve will have to face the music." Letter written on stationery that has a large image of an eagle and an American flag on the top, alongside the words "Union & Liberty." "Now & forever" is written underneath the stationery's image in the author's hand.

GLC03523.08.22

6 January 1862

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Reports from Camp Pierpont. Professes to her, "I think I told you once before that you must not believe all the newspapers say about [this] war for they dont know more than you do. Or not much more. You must not suppose that General George McCall is a going to publish his movements before he make them. As the enemy hears soon enough of his moves without published them. It seem they knew it very near as quick as we do ourselves." Speaks of the rumor that there are 30,000 Rebels at Drainsville who are putting up fortifications, but remarks that he hasn't see any yet. Mentions General George…

GLC03523.08.25

January 14, 1862

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

Writes from Camp Pierpont telling him that Christmas and New Year's "passed off pleasently and on New Years day we had a grand Oyster Dinner." Provides detail about picketing, particularly noting the harsh and cold weather. Relays military information. "I heard that part of Rush's Calvary are now on this side of the river..." Also discusses military tactics, "Napoleon plan was never to attack an enemy that was a killing itself. And thats the way with General [George] B. McClellan for the longer we lay here the longer the Rebels are suffering for want of proper provision clothing Blankets etc…

GLC03523.08.26

January 26, 1862

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Writes from Camp Pierpont, informing his sister that they are preparing to move against the enemy at Centreville and Manassas Junction, Virginia. He estimates however, that it will be two weeks before they actually make a move. Encloses a daguerreotype with the letter (not included).

GLC03523.08.28