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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Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Jacob G. Armstrong
Thomas S. Armstrong
January 22, 1863; Winchester, VAThomas describes the site where his regiment will make its "winter quarters." He and his fellow soldiers eagerly prepare to receive their pay.
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Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Jacob G. Armstrong
Thomas S. Armstrong
January 22, 1863; Winchester, VAThomas describes a "splendid brick oven" near camp that will be used to replace hard tack with bread for the 122nd and 110th regiments.
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Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Francis P. Porter
Thomas S. Armstrong
January 23, 1863; Winchester, VAThomas fears for George Porter, Robert Hanson, and the rest of the 78th OVI preparing for battle at Vicksburg. He reports that he is enjoying himself at camp and asks for word from the 78th.
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Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Jacob G. Armstrong
Thomas S. Armstrong
January 23, 1863; Winchester, VAThomas details how the camp endures in the cold and slush, including a drawing of his sleeping arrangements.
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Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to William Armstrong
Thomas S. Armstrong
January 25, 1863; Winchester, VAThomas reports that Company I Captain Daniel Gary's wife Mary A. Little died in Zanesville and the Captain is in mourning. Thomas visited the regiment's sick in a nearby hospital.
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Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Augustus Armstrong
Thomas S. Armstrong
February 05, 1863; Winchester, VAThomas tells his brother Gus about some aspects of camp life, including watching a cannon fire
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Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Jacob G. Armstrong
Thomas S. Armstrong
February 05, 1863; Winchester, VAThomas writes of recent news of the war he has been following. The oven his regiment had been using for baking has collapsed, but he is pleased to have received a box of goods from home.
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Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Francis P. Porter
Thomas S. Armstrong
February 17, 1863; Winchester, VAThomas shares with Francis his anxieties from his teaching days; mentions a "the Market House affair at Zanesville," (a disaster in which 7 people were killed); taking hay from a local farmer
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Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Augustus Armstrong
Thomas S. Armstrong
February 26, 1863; Winchester, VAThomas writes a brief update to Gus, including a drawing.
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Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to William Armstrong and Jane Armstrong
Thomas S. Armstrong
March 08, 1863; Winchester, VAThomas reports on his health at camp, and asks his parents for their opinion of the war's extent. Thomas sends transcriptions of the headstones of soldiers he noted in a nearby cemetery.
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Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Jacob G. Armstrong
Thomas S. Armstrong
March 16, 1863; Winchester, VAThomas remarks the recent arrival of several Union regiments in camp and his expectation to "see service before long." Thomas asks for a copy of Lassings History of the United States.
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Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Francis P. Porter
Thomas S. Armstrong
March 23, 1863; Winchester, VAThomas is grateful for a photograph Francis sent to him. He asks her for advice on a proper mode of "washing, rinsing, ironing, darning, etc."
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Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Francis P. Porter
Thomas S. Armstrong
April 15, 1863; Winchester, VAThomas relays that Robert Hanson's eyesight is entirely lost and he has been discharged. He expresses dismay at the news from recent engagements in Charleston and Vicksburg.
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Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to William Armstrong
Thomas S. Armstrong
April 21, 1863; Winchester, VAThomas is sending $100 of his pay to his father; keeping some for the "active campaign this summer." The camp is well-provisioned but morale is low.
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Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Jacob G. Armstrong
Thomas S. Armstrong
May 15, 1863; Winchester, VAThomas descibes a battle and talks about camp conditions.
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Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Armstrong Family
Thomas S. Armstrong
May 20, 1863; Winchester, VAThomas relays news of the war to his family, including the Battle of Jackson, Mississippi, a scouting mision to New Market, Virginia, and the camp's preparations to defend against an attack.
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Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Francis P. Porter
Thomas S. Armstrong
May 23, 1863; Winchester, VAIn light of recent military developments and the initiation of a draft, Thomas says his camp is "hopeful" and lists some changes in command.
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Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to William Armstrong
Thomas S. Armstrong
June 01, 1863; Winchester, VAThomas got paid and is sending $170 home to his father. "Discouraging rumors" about Grant's fortunes at Vicksburg are circulating.
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Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to William Armstrong and Jane Armstrong
Thomas S. Armstrong
July 22, 1863; Libby, Richmond, VAThomas writes his family as a "Federal Prisoner" at Libby Prison. He provides instructions about how to send letters to the fortress in which he is being held.
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Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Francis P. Porter
Thomas S. Armstrong
July 28, 1863; Libby, Richmond, VAThomas despairs at his prospects now that he is imprisoned. He requests a letter after being without contact for a month.
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Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Jacob G. Armstrong
Thomas S. Armstrong
July 31, 1863; Libby, Richmond, VAThomas assures his family that he is "as comfortable as any prisoner is likely to be" and lists the clothes that he has with him.
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Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Jacob G. Armstrong
Thomas S. Armstrong
August 19, 1863; Libby, Richmond, VAThomas recalls seeing combat at Winchester and asks for news of his regiment.
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Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Jacob G. Armstrong
Thomas S. Armstrong
August 28, 1863; Libby, Richmond, VAThomas suggests that the Union army's use of African American soldiers "may keep me in Libby until the end of the war." He writes that he was treated for fever in the prison hospital and lists the officers of the 122nd that he knows are imprisoned with him.
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Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Jacob G. Armstrong
Thomas S. Armstrong
August 28, 1863; Libby, Richmond, VAThomas recalls his capture at Winchester and the status of his belongings.
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Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to William Armstrong and Jane Armstrong
Thomas S. Armstrong
September 09, 1863; Libby, Richmond, VAThomas lists items he wants his parents to send if he is not exchanged soon.