23 June 1861

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

Writes from Camp Wayne. Remarks that he likes it more than Camp Curtin, but speculates that he will be sent back to Camp Wayne next week. Asks about Martha, possibly his sister, inquiring if she is feeling any better. Tells him that he got his "white shirt washed by a colored person." Reports that he thinks he will get a furlough sometimes this week. Speaks of being "thrown into a Regiment on Wednesday..."

GLC03523.08.03

7 July 1861

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Writes from Camp Wayne, communicating that he is glad she is feeling better. Reports that he got his fatigue suit. Expresses concern that he does not know when he will get his furlough, as three boys have recently gotten sick and will get a furlough before this. States he is now enrolled in "7 Regiment of Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Commanded by Colonel Harvey." Tells her each regiment has 1046 men in it, and each company has 101 men.

GLC03523.08.04

16 July 1861

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Writes to his sister, telling her that he hopes to come home next week. Communicates that if he gets paid this week, he will give Billy, possibly their brother, a dollar for his drum. Letter written on stationery with small image of soldier holding an American flag.

GLC03523.08.05

17 July 1861

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamen H. Tyre

Reports from Camp Wayne to his cousin. Indicates he is now in the 7th Pennsylvania Regiment of the Reserve Corps, commanded by Colonel Harvey. Asks if Benjamen would come for a visit, telling him that the fare is 65 cents each way. Suggests that his cousin should enlist in the Reserve Corps or Bakers California Regiment. Requests his letters be sent to: Douglas guards in care of Captain Martins, Camp Wayne, West Chester, PA. Envelope addressed to Benjamen H. Tyre, in care of Albert Beckman, N.W. Corner of 3rd & Georges St, 16th Ward, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

GLC03523.08.06

21 December 1863

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Discusses his sister's trip to Washington, which is possibly to visit a suitor named Willie, noting that he himself may not be granted a pass to come up and see her. Details that they have been sleeping in Sibley tents, which are very good quarters. Mentions that "Isaiah want you to come by all means."

GLC03523.08.88

21 December 1863

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Communicates to his sister that he is disappointed that she and their mother did not come to Washington, and that Isaiah, possibly his sister's suitor, and his family were upset as well. Describes his Christmas dinner, detailing that they had turkey and mince pie. Informs her that he was sent out yesterday with the Army of the Potomac with many prisoners. Reports that M.K., possibly a family friend or a romantic interest of his, sends her love.

GLC03523.08.89

February 25, 1864

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louisa B. Terry

Writes to his sister "Lou," telling her that "Washington's Birthday passed off just the same as any other day." Reports that there are a couple of men who decided to re-enlist, "but I do not feel inclined to follow in their footsteps..."

GLC03523.08.93

5 December 1864

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Brother

Writes to his brother, "you must read this letter yourself. And dont let none of the girls read it to you. You say your are in the first division And if that the case you can read this letter for it is big enough for a blind man to read." Instructs him not to spend all his money before Christmas and not to "wear your Boots out." Remarks that he doesn't think his regiment will ever see the city of Washington and speculates that they will stay at Camp Pierpont in Fairfax, Virginia all winter. Written on stationery with an image of the United States Capital at the top.

GLC03523.08.97

23 August 1863

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Reports to his sister from the U.S. Army General Hospital that they currently have a Conferderate major general, a brigadier, a captain, and a couple of lieutenants in the hospital. Tells her that "no news a stirring around the City."

GLC03523.08.80

15 September 1863

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother and Sister

Writes to his mother about monetary issues, instructing her on what property she should sell, as his Father has died. In note to sister, tells her that he will write every Friday. Written on stationery with "US Army General Hospital, Newton University, Baltimore" letterhead.

GLC03523.08.81

10 October 1863

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Informs sister that he is still working at the hospital. Reports that he does not know where the rest of his company is, although notes that last he heard they were in Alexandria. Regarding their father's death, he states, "Mother must take things cooly quietly & collectively. And must not pay any Bills simply because men comes up and tells her that father owes them so and so, their saying so does not make it so. Written on stationery with "US Army General Hospital, Newton University, Baltimore" letterhead.

GLC03523.08.82

5 November 1863

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Apologizes for not writing sooner. Discusses his status at the hospital, noting that a doctor has written the adjutant general so that he may stay working there and not go to Alexandria with the rest of his regiment. Details that there has been an election, reporting that there was a "dispute between Governor Bradford and Major General [Robert] Schenck about the voting but it was settled by the President." Written on stationery with "US Army General Hospital, Newton University, Baltimore" letterhead.

GLC03523.08.83

13 November 1863

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Relays to his sister that, a possible mutual friend, Dan Shern has died. States, "little did I think when I saw him on the 14 of October that he would be in the grave before one month roled over his head. Well it is a road we will all have to travel so we must be prepared for the uncertain hour of our certain death." Discusses her "situation," possibly referring to her marital status. Indicates that he thinks she should get married rather than be a schoolteacher. Inquires about their mother's health, relating remorse that he did not write about her sooner as he knows she has been sick.…

GLC03523.08.84

17 November 1863

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Writes to his sister from U.S. Army General Hospital in Baltimore, reporting that the adjutant general ordered him to go back to his regiment. Written in pencil.

GLC03523.08.85

26 November 1863

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Reports that he is now at his company headquarters in Alexandria, and speculates that they will be there all winter. Writes "when I serve these six months more out they will never see me in the Army again." Notes that there is talk of them being discharged by the first of April. Inquires about their mother's rheumatism. Written in pencil.

GLC03523.08.86

December 11, 1863

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Writes to his sister extensively about his clothing, remarking "I just laid my clothes loose in a box and told them to remain their till I could come and take them away again." Reports that he will not get a furlough, but "I dont care much about coming home till I can come for good as the time is so short now." Informs her that there is a Russian fleet anchored in the [Potomac] River.

GLC03523.08.87

January 14, 1864

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louisa B. Terry

Reports to his sister that there is "talk" of sending his regiment to Harper's Ferry. Informs her that there are currently many soldiers in the area, but speculates that they will be scarce again in about a month. Writes "no Four Hundred and Two (402) dollars can draw me," possibly referring to being re-enlisted into the army. Tells her that "if Ben, [possibly their brother] wants to reinlist tell him I say he had better go over in New Spain acrossed the Delaware."

GLC03523.08.90

February 4, 1864

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louisa B. Terry

Writes to his sister, calling her "Lou," reporting that "the president has called for an extra two hundred thousand men by the 10 March making a total of five hundred thousand that are to come out in the spring. Congress has passed resolutions exempting all from the draft that has served two years in the Army of the United States."

GLC03523.08.91

10 March 1864

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louisa B. Terry

Addresses letter to his sister "Lou," telling her that he thinks "Gen. [Ulysses S.] Grant deserves the extra Star for the service he has rendered the U.S. during the present Rebellion..." Also remarks that he would like to see General George Meade receive one as well, and speculates that he will "if the President does not listen to these Celebrated Politicians that is hovering around the white house a filling his ears with 'What ought to be done' by the The Army of the Potomac." Reports that General George McCall's official report of his division's Peninsula Campaign was in the Inquirer.…

GLC03523.08.94

24 March 1864

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louisa B. Terry

Reports to his sister "Lou," about his thoughts that "the 'Army of the Potomac' will be reorganized soon," noting that he believes only Veterans will be in it. Remarks on newspaper article about how the Reserves will be concentrated, commenting that they will probably have to go to the state to recruit. States "it is true [General Ulysses S.] Grant has got considerate power invested in him and of course their are more expected on that account." Remarks that he thinks the "Great Raid" was a failure, proclaiming that the 119 P.V. [Pennsylvania Volunteers] "may have supported [General George]…

GLC03523.08.95

7 April 1864

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louisa B. Terry

Addresses the letter to his sister "Lou," remarking that "all the talk is about moving. But when that event takes place none of us know but expect to go every day now." Reports that he received both of the New York Ledgers that she sent to him.

GLC03523.08.96

February 18, 1864

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louisa B. Terry

Relays to his sister "Lou," that he is not fond of writing letters and that he makes them all "as short as possible. In fact we have no news that the world does not know and it is wasting both time and labor writing a whole rigamarole of nonsense." Reports that he thinks there will be a draft in Philadelphia. Writes "but as far as I'm concerned I do not care how often they draft in the City for I would like to see some the pretty boys there drafted for three years or sooner Kill." Discusses not having enough shirts to wear, stating about the two shirts that he does have, "I manage to stick to…

GLC03523.08.92

February 19, 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