The Letters of Thomas Sumption Armstrong

Thomas Sumption 'Sump' Armstrong (1835-1909) enrolled in the Preparatory Department of Ohio Wesleyan University in 1859. He remained there for one term, opting to take on a teaching position in Brownsville the following Fall. In the short time he studied in Delaware, Ohio, he demonstrated his prevailing interest in Methodism, attending local revivals and ruminating on sermons led by Ohio Wesleyan's first President Edward Thomson. At the outset of the Civil War, Thomas enlisted with the 78th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry and organized local recruiting activities with the Colonel Zachariah M. Chandler. He enlisted with Company B alongside George W. Porter and John W.A. Gillespie. Shortly before the Battle of Shiloh in April 1862, Thomas fell ill and was discharged from active duty. Upon his recovery, he would re-enlist with the 122nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry Company I, with which he would remain. On June 15, 1863, he was captured at the second battle of Winchester and spent the remainder of the war in Confederate prisons. He was eventually exchanged and honorably discharged from the army in June 1865 with the rank of Captain. Thomas and Francis Porter wed shortly after his return home and Thomas resumed his teaching career while preparing for the ministry. They would have 4 children together: Edgar Stanley, Merrill Frederick, Olive Gibson, and May Marple. Thomas joined the Ohio Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1873. He would hold several posts with the church, including circuit rider until his retirement in 1897.

Thomas's letters record his activities from his enrollment at Ohio Wesleyan University to the events following his discharge from the army in 1865.

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Teaching certificate for Thomas S. Armstrong

Licking County Board of Examiners
May 29, 1858; Newark, OH

Thomas's teaching certificate from Licking County, Ohio.
Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Jacob G. Armstrong

Thomas S. Armstrong
January 22, 1859; Delaware, OH

Thomas describes his trip from Newark to Delaware and his schedule of coursework at Ohio Wesleyan.
Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Jacob G. Armstrong

Thomas S. Armstrong
February 01, 1859; Delaware, OH

Thomas is studying hard and implores his brother to live piously.
Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Jacob G. Armstrong

Thomas S. Armstrong
October 09, 1859; Delaware, OH

Thomas describes his return to school, including a layover in downtown Columbus.
Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to William Armstrong and Jane Armstrong

Thomas S. Armstrong
October 23, 1859; Delaware, OH

Thomas describes to his parents his room, routine, and the limits of his budget. He mentions the Prescott Cabinets in the University's Museum of Natural History.
Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Jacob G. Armstrong

Thomas S. Armstrong
October 30, 1859; Delaware, OH

Thomas talks about his landlady, paying for board, his studies, the county fair, and wonders why Wilbur left so early for school.
Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Jacob G. Armstrong

Thomas S. Armstrong
November 20, 1859; Delaware, OH

Thomas needs money to pay board and buy firewood.
Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Jacob G. Armstrong

Thomas S. Armstrong
November 26, 1859; Delaware, OH

Thomas, happy to receive financial support, asks about crops and livestock. He enjoys Delaware but expresses his affection for home.
Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Jacob G. Armstrong

Thomas S. Armstrong
February 05, 1860; Delaware, OH

Thomas relays Wilbur's story of being locked out of his classroom and updates Jacob on his coursework. He describes the effectiveness of an ongoing revival at his church.
Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to William Armstrong and Jane Armstrong

Thomas S. Armstrong
February 12, 1860; Delaware, OH

Thomas acknowledges care and training his parents gave him as a child. He reports on his coursework and attending a revival.
Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Francis P. Porter

Thomas S. Armstrong
February 14, 1860; Delaware, OH

A handmade Valentine with poetry from Thomas to Francis.
Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Jacob G. Armstrong

Thomas S. Armstrong
February 21, 1860; Delaware, OH

Thomas writes of Wilbur's plans to attend the Normal School in Lebanon.
Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Jacob G. Armstrong

Thomas S. Armstrong
March 14, 1860; Delaware, OH

Thomas recounts a lecture he attended on phrenology. He mulls whether to take a trip home and urgently requests money for his expenses.
Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to William Armstrong

Thomas S. Armstrong
May 03, 1860; Delaware, OH

Before hearing of Wilbur's change of heart, Thomas arranged room and board for himself and his brother in Delaware. He writes of his trouble finding someone else to room with him in Wilbur's stead.
Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Jacob G. Armstrong

Thomas S. Armstrong
May 19, 1860; Delaware, OH

Thomas lists his academic and recreational pursuits at Ohio Wesleyan. He discusses changes in both campus and national politics. He is uncertain of whether to take up teaching in the fall.
Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Jacob G. Armstrong

Thomas S. Armstrong
June 25, 1860; Delaware, OH

While homesick, Thomas reports that he is content in Delaware and that "the College is flourishing finely." He invites Jacob out for commencement, which will be Dr. Thomson's last as president of Ohio Wesleyan. He offers his opinion of Wilbur's letter-writing.
Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Jacob G. Armstrong

Thomas S. Armstrong
July 02, 1860; Delaware, OH

Thomas is considering visiting home, but urgently needs about $30 to cover his bills in Delaware.
Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Francis P. Porter

Thomas S. Armstrong
October 10, 1860; Brownsville, OH

Thomas apologizes for being unable to visit Francis. He asks her to direct mail to Brownsville, Ohio where he will start teaching next week.
Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Francis P. Porter

Thomas S. Armstrong
October 29, 1861; Fultonham, OH

Thomas reports he is prospering at school and anxiously awaiting word from George and Francis.
Letter from Zachariah Chandler to Thomas S. Armstrong

Zachariah Chandler
November 21, 1861; Putnam, OH

Zachariah Chandler asks Thomas to circulate as many posters as possible to encourage enlistment.
Letter from Zachariah Chandler to Thomas S. Armstrong

Zachariah Chandler
November 28, 1861; Putnam, OH

Zachariah Chandler encourages Thomas to put up more posters and asks for a better house for the recruitment meetings.
Letter from Zachariah Chandler to Thomas S. Armstrong

Zachariah Chandler
December 16, 1861; Putnam, OH

Zachariah Chandler tells Thomas he has orders to organize a regiment next Thursday.
Letter from Sturges S. Sigler to Thomas S. Armstrong

Sturges S. Sigler
January 29, 1862; Newark, OH

Sturges Sigler writes to Thomas that his business is in such shape he needs to refrain from joining the volunteer infantry. He offers Thomas advice on attracting the attention of his superiors while enlisted.
Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Francis P. Porter

Thomas S. Armstrong
February 23, 1862; Fort Donelson, TN

Thomas details two weeks of his regiment's travel and camp conditions. Wilbur contracts "lung fever" and leaves camp for a hospital in Cincinnati.
Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Jane Armstrong

Thomas S. Armstrong
March 17, 1862; Fort Donelson

Thomas's will, bequeathing everything to his mother, Jane E. Armstrong.