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

7 November 1861

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Expresses dismay about the news of his father's sickness. Complains of the cold weather, remarking that "if they dont put us in Winter Quarters this winter we will all be dead before spring." Written on stationery with embossed image of soldier holding flag with the words, "Brave in the field, Wise in council, A true patriot, Loyal to the Constitution & Union" underneath. Letter written in pencil.

GLC03523.08.21

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

9 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, reporting that they went on a foraging party, where they obtained one secession barn and "2 Contraband Negroes, 5 men Prisoners, and 3 women. 2 of the men were dandy looking fellows beging small in statue and dressed up to kill." The second half of the letter is addressed to his father, informing him of army matters. Indicates that he is going to try and get a furlough so that he can come home once they go into Winter Quarters. Letter written on stationery that has a large image of an eagle and an American flag on the top,…

GLC03523.08.23

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 20, 1862

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

Writing from Camp Pierpont, he summarizes the military news for his father. Recently heard that some New York troops are coming across Chain Bridge, and that Birneys Zouaves (23rd Regiment) are coming to the area. Mentions that General George McClellan was supposed to come as well. Tells his father, "and when the word is given forward march you will not hear tell of any more blunders such as Bull Run. Ball Bull firing into their own Regiments and &c. But of a Victory as we know no such word as Defeat." Notes that his Division is to be increased to 20,000 soldiers, and that it is currently…

GLC03523.08.27

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

January 26, 1862

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Reports from Camp Pierpont, telling his father that they expect an attack from the Rebels any day. Relays that Centreville is fortified by about 60,000 Rebel troops and 175 pieces of artillery. Informs him about General George McClellan's plan to attack from the front and rear and comments, "McClellan dont intend that his men shall be cut up by them." Notes that General George McCall is attempting to get his division to go on General Ambrose Burnside's expedition. Discusses his father's approval to General George McClellan's recent address. Confides in his father about his sadness that…

GLC03523.08.29

January 30, 1862

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Summarizes daily duties to his sister, from Camp Pierpont. Tells her that he expects that General Ambrose Burnside's expedition will take place soon. Writes "I got nothing new to write it is the same old thing out here Rain Rain Rain Mud Mud Mud Slush Slush Slush..."

GLC03523.08.30

February 4, 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

19 July 1861

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Reports that the troops are preparing to leave their camp, mentioning that they may go to Washington D.C. to be mustered into the United States service. Describes the marching band that is playing and speculates that the band will go with them. Writes to her "give my love to all my friends and keep a part for yourself." Letter written in pencil.

GLC03523.08.07

20 July 1861

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Relays that they are still at Camp Wayne, but will be leaving for Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to pick up rifles and then will go to Washington, D.C. Comments on how they are having "easy times." Reports that they had a "volunteer killed here by the accidental discharge of a Pistol in the hands of another. Who immediately have himself up, was tried by a court martial, and acquitted."

GLC03523.08.08

26 July 1861

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

Writes about their journey from Camp Wayne to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and into Maryland, where they are now. Comments on Baltimore having "some very nice buildings" and a "kind of mixed race of people, some union & some secessionist." Reports that "they had a Battle yesterday and are troops got defeated and the Rebels got possession of Fairfax." Informs his father that they are only 35 miles from the enemy, but he "hardly thinks we will marched against them yet a while for we are not drilled enough and would all be cut to pieces in about a hour." Asks that his father direct his letters…

GLC03523.08.09

30 July 1861

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

Writes from Camp Harvey, which is five miles outside of the capital, located on a farm owned by a secessionist. Informs his father that when they took the oath in the army, there was contention from all the soldiers because they had not been paid, but they all took it regardless. Reports that there was one man, however, who refused to take the oath and was stripped naked and sent away. The army eventually sent for the man, brought him clothes, and paid for his fare to Philadelphia. Informs him that they are working under General George McClellan. Tells him the "best calvary of Rebels was…

GLC03523.08.10

1 August 1861

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

Reports from Camp Harvey that he is well, and is working under General George McClellan's division. Describes many of the various regiments they are encamped near, reporting that there are over 35,000 soldiers around Washington D.C. Writes to his father, "the talk up here is they are trying to Compromise the matter now. But the only way they can do that no is for the Rebels to throw down their Arms and swear allegiance to the United States and I guess the South would not be willing to do that now for they went to far to retract now. The only way for the U.S. to settle will be to exterminate…

GLC03523.08.11

7 August 1861

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Writes from Georgetown Heights, reporting that they moved from Camp Harvey and are now stationed about four miles outside of Washington. Comments that they have all received a large peck of peaches, which he is very happy about. Informs her that a Seccession Army of 90,000 men were marching against Washington and they sent out 40,000 men to meet them. Written in pencil.

GLC03523.08.12

14 August 1861

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

Writes from Georgetown Heights, enclosing money, which he would like his father to keep at home for him. Reports that he has come off picket and they are fortifying the roads. Comments on how they are expecting an enemy attack in Washington, but "if they do come they will find us prepared to give them a warm reception." Written on stationery with image of the United States Capital on top.

GLC03523.08.13

18 August 1861

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Reports from Georgetown Heights to his sister. Mentions that he received her letter. Comments that they are experiencing very poor weather, and are very busy preparing for an attack next week. States "we cant even get out now for water with out having a corporal with us. We are penned up here like prisoners. As the camp is a prison itself."

GLC03523.08.14

3 September 1861

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Informs his sister that they are camped opposite the Big Falls of the Potomac River. Provides details about fighting, mentioning General Benjamin Franklin Butler's movements in North Carolina. Indicates they are ready "to show the South aint to be fooled by here." Reports that their next movement will be on Manassas Junction and Richmond, Virginia. Asks that his sister write to him at the address previously given to her in Washington. 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.

GLC03523.08.15

11 September 1861

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Informs his sister that they have returned to their old camp ground in Georgetown. Describes a recent battle they fought, "on the other side of the Potomac," relaying stories of "balls a whizzing through the air." Reports that during the battle they received a dispatch from General Nathaniel Banks, but the Rebels did not cross the river again. Reports that he should be home for Christmas. 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.

GLC03523.08.16

19 June 1861

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

Writes from Camp Wayne telling his father that they were recamped at "West Chester," about thirty miles outside of Philadelphia. Asks him to send his letters to, "Camp Wayne, West Chester, in care of Capt. Martins..." Reports that one of the men on the same train was killed because he was drunk and was struck in the head as they were going under a bridge. Small portion of second page ripped off.

GLC03523.08.01

19 June 1861

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

This letter appears to be a rewritten version of the first letter, GLC03523.08.01, which was sent to his father.

GLC03523.08.02