Corry, Robert E. Letters (1861-1865)

              [page 1]
Atlanta, Dec.  14, 1861
Ga

My Dear Sister 

Your kind 
letter was re’cd some two 
weeks ago, and bro. Bob’s two 
days since – If having girls 
is a sufficient excuse for 
bro. Robert’s not going to the 
war, we all rejoice that 
you have another girl – 
We are anxious for a de-
scription of the little stranger. 
Let us have it very soon – Ma 
is pleased that you think of 
calling her Harriet & says she 
will give it a dress with all 
sorts of pleasure – I think Ma 
a little partial to the name 
of Harriet – you know it was the 
name of her favorite child – 
I feel almost sorry that I didn’t 
fall to Emmett’s lot, for she 
has a great resemblance to sister 
Harriet – Summer goods are selling 
here now, much cheaper than 
than out there & Ma wants

[page 2]
to get some dresses & things 
for the children – Suppose it 
will be best not to send them 
till bro Bob comes – If you are 
wanting anything – perhaps 
we can select to suit you, 
& get things a little cheaper – 
I saw, yesterday, some beautiful 
summer calicoes & muslins 
selling at fifteen cents – next 
summer they will probably be 
much higher – We look 
for bro Bob certainly before christmas, 
that is, if you are not too sick 
for him to leave – Papa will 
be so glad to see him – You have 
no idea how pleased he was 
to see bro James – He is getting 
very childish & likes attention 
from his children – I wish 
you were well & could come 
to see us again, & bring all the 
little girls – We are so anxious to see 
you all, & Ma still wishes you 
could live here – She grieves 
much that br. Robert will work 
so hard when, she knows, he is 
not able – Wants him to take 
Emily out there & put her in 
the field – I hope he will do it, for 
she is nothing but a trouble here, 
& does very little in the way of 
work – She is a strong, stout 
negro & could be make to do 
well in the country – 

Papa is still very feeble, tho’ a little 
stronger for the last week - Bro Jim

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said he would write to bro Jo 
to come to see him, but, as yet we 
hasn’t heard a word from him. 
I can’t imagine why Jo keeps so 
silent - & think it a shame that he 
doesn’t show some attention to 
Papa & Ma – Our kin are all very 
well, unless I make an exception 
of Aunt Lucinda, she is, at times 
slightly deranged, & looks rather 
badly – Cousin Harriet has a 
house full of girls – all except the 
youngest, I believe, going to school – 
Liz and E. are almost young ladies – 
Gus T. has rented out her nice 
house for the coming year - & 
will board with her Ma – Mr. 
Tomlinson has put up a dis-
tillery two or three miles from 
town & will very often have to be 
away from home at night – 
that you know Gus couldn’t 
stand when at home alone – 
For fear you will think Mr. T. 
is going into the whisky 
business, must tell you that 
his object is to make alcohol 
for making burning fluid – 
Cousin Marion was down 
a few days ago Her health is 
wretched tho’ she expects to be 
well again soon, as she is being 
treated by a successful Dr. – 
Moses Cole has a nice little 
wife – but she is sick all the 
time – They will go to house-
keeping Christmas - Sister

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can’t you make haste to 
get well, & send bro Bob 
along before Christmas – 
We are all so impatient, now 
that there is hope of his coming. 
Remember me kindly to your 
Ma & sisters – will try to 
answer Mrs D’s letter this week 
Kiss her children for me when 
you see them – I hope they are 
pleased with their teacher, & [their?]
[illegible] doing more for them 
[illegible line]
When can you send me
Mothers & the baby's ambrotypes
taken together & it would be just
as easy to put in Emmetts – Tho’ 
the one I have of her is a sweet l
ittle thing – My best love to Brothers 
& sisters & a kiss for the little girls – 
All send much love & many 
kisses to you all –

Affections
Your own sister
Mary –

P.S. Ma says how do 
you like the name 
Harriet DeShumate – 
Frenchy – Isn’t it –