4 February 1862

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father and Sister

First half of letter written to his sister from Camp Pierpont. Reports that The Burnside [General Ambrose Burnside] Expedition is "somewhere down South now." Communicates to her his opinion that "you better hunt of husband than a situation as a School Teacher." Refers to a previous camp of his as "Camp Starvation." The second half of the letter is written to his father, thanking him for looking into "Spiritous Liquers" for him. He professes that "not one cent of mine" has been used to buy any. Confesses that he has had some to drink a few times, noting that once it was because there was water…

GLC03523.08.31

11 February 1862

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

Reports to his father from Camp Pierpont, mentioning that Union General Charles Stone has been rearrested and sent to Fort Lafayette. "The following are the charges brought against him. 1st For misbeavior at the Battle of Balls Bluff. 2nd For holding correspondence with the enemy before and since the Battle of Balls Bluff and receiving Rebel officers in his camp. 3rd For treacherously suffering the enemy to build a fort or strong work since the Battle of Balls Bluff under his guns without molestation." Tells him that he will include an abstract which he cut out of the Sunday Mercury; however…

GLC03523.08.32

19 February 1862

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Writes to his sister from Camp Pierpont, informing her that Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, and Roanoke Island have been captured. Also mentions "the taking of Winchester and Savannah. The evacuation of Springfield and Bowling Green." Speaks of Confederate General Henry Alexander Wise's "escape." Convey's his admiration for Union General George McClellan's military planning and states "another month goes by this vile monster of Rebellion will be crushed to rise no more. And then with that pride we shall stand forth as a nation." Comments that "their no use of having a President if he dont do a…

GLC03523.08.33

12 March 1862

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father and Sister

In the first portion of the letter, he reports to his father from Hunter Mills, [Virginia]. Notes that Centreville, Manassas Junction, and Winchester are in their possession. Mentions that the road through Richmond is now open, and that they have also taken control of a railroad. Informs his father that they are currently staying at a railroad station called Hunter Station, which is located near the Harry Bready Farm, possibly owned by family friends. States that he went over to General George McCall's headquarters to get a pass so that he could go past the picket lines. Indicates that he had…

GLC03523.08.34

24 March 1862

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

Reports that he is waiting to board a fleet, but does not yet know where he is going. Notes there are 80,000 troops who will also possibly go to Richmond. Describes their march from Hunters Mill to Alexandria. States "we were a hollering Crackers at all the Generals that passed us." Mentions that there is talk of General George McClellan being superceded. Written on stationery with red and blue image of woman, wearing a crown and holding an American flag.

GLC03523.08.35

27 April 1862

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

Summarizes his regiment's movements for his father, noting that they are currently at [Catalin] Station, Virginia but working their way towards Yorktown. Mentions that General George McClellan has 600 pieces of artillery at Yorktown, and that General Smith's division is already there. Written in pencil.

GLC03523.08.36

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

15 July 1862

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister and Father

Addresses his sister in first half of letter about her "new young man." Asks if she will send him a number of things, such as a shirt, some tobacco, and some "Jamaca Ginger" because the water there gives him diarrhea. The second half of the letter is written to his father, telling him that his regiment lost about 400 men, as well as six or eight commanding officers. States, "I dont think General [George] McClellan will attack Richmond for some time yet..." Also tells him that "the president [Abraham Lincoln] reviewed the Army of the Potomac when he was here." Mentions that he has heard…

GLC03523.08.41

28 July 1862

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

Writes short note, conveying that everything is well. Encloses a present for Louisa, possibly his sister, and money for Billie, possibly his brother. Remarks that they will probably leave this camp in two or three days. Written in pencil.

GLC03523.08.42

6 September 1862

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

Reports that they have gone on picket duty on the South side of the James River, one week before Harrison's Landing was evacuated. Details that they have been ordered to reinforce General John Pope's army at Rappahannock Station. Describes a battle, noting that his troops were commanded by General Irvin McDowell, who "made a regular piece of botched work out of it." Notes that General John Reynolds, "whose got command of the Division brought us up to time..." States that he is glad General George McClellan is in command. Written in pencil.

GLC03523.08.43

27 September 1862

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

Writes that is at the hospital in Baltimore, sick with diarrhea, and as a result missed the fight at Middletown Heights. Asks that his father give his respects to Jack Burr, a fellow soldier who was sent home. Written in pencil.

GLC03523.08.44

3 October 1862

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Tells his sister that he is still at the hospital with a cold. Writes that he is sorry Louisa, possibly another sister, has been sick. Reports that inspectors are coming on Monday to decide who will go back on duty or be transferred to the Invalid Corps. Written on stationery with "US Army General Hospital, Newton University, Baltimore" letterhead.

GLC03523.08.45

24 October 1862

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father and Mother

Reports that he has arrived in Baltimore this morning by train. Writes about a discussion held with the Ward Master regarding his possibly incorrect dispatch from the hospital. States that he had been sent to General William Montgomery's Headquarters and then to the Provost Marshall, where has been put on light duty. Asks that they direct their letters to the U.S. General Hospital, Newton University in Baltimore, Maryland.

GLC03523.08.46

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

3 November 1862

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

Informs his father that he has gotten the position of Assistant Clerk at the hospital, and his health is much improved as he only has a "touch" of dysentery. Writes that he hopes Martha, possibly his sister, feels better soon. Reports that "they had quite a stir here on account of General [John] Wool arresting some of the leading men and sending them to Delaware, but they are released now and it is pretty much blowed over." Asks that she send him the New York Ledgers. Written on stationery with "US Army General Hospital, Newton University, Baltimore" letterhead.

GLC03523.08.48

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

26 November 1862

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father and Mother

Informs his parents that "the doctor does not yet know of my absence...the clerk assistant ward Master and Watchman were the only one that knew of it." Speaks of the Thanksgiving dinner and decoration preparations. Written on stationery with "US Army General Hospital, Newton University, Baltimore" letterhead.

GLC03523.08.50

4 December 1862

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

Writes to his father about Baltimore being under Marshal Law. Tells him that no soldiers are allowed out without a pass from the Provost Marshal because there was a fight at The Melodian, possibly a bar, where two soldiers were shot. Written on stationery with "US Army General Hospital, Newton University, Baltimore" letterhead.

GLC03523.08.51

10 December 1862

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Describes his Thanksgiving meal, detailing all the foods eaten. Tells his sister that he has a new job as Assistant Commissary at the hospital. Written on stationery with "US Army General Hospital, Newton University, Baltimore" letterhead.

GLC03523.08.52

14 December 1862

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Asks his sister to send him more shirts. Reports that the soldiers are still under Marshal Law and are not allowed out without a pass after 7:30 at night (unless they are on duty). Describes his work duties, which are mostly to help the nurses. Written on stationery with "US Army General Hospital, Newton University, Baltimore" letterhead.

GLC03523.08.53

December 1862

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Writes short letter to his sister, telling her that he is busy with his work duties. Tells her that the person delivering this letter to her is a friend of his, James McCleary. Asks that she give his friend dinner when he brings her the letter. Written on stationery with "US Army General Hospital, Newton University, Baltimore" letterhead.

GLC03523.08.54

9 January 1863

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

Relays that the bearer of this letter is a friend of his, Charles M. Blackman, who is also a patient at the hospital. Asks that his father show him around Philadelphia. Written on stationery with "US Army General Hospital, Newton University, Baltimore" letterhead.

GLC03523.08.55