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 F.D. Sewall
Thomas S. Armstrong
April 27, 1865; Annapolis, MDThomas requests a 30 day leave of absence.
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Letter from Henry P. Fox to Thomas S. Armstrong
Henry P. Fox
May 02, 1865; Annapolis, MDSpecial orders for Thomas to rejoin the 122nd OVI.
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Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Francis P. Porter
Thomas S. Armstrong
May 03, 1865; Annapolis, MDThomas will be heading by train to join his regiment tomorrow. He asks Francis to consider his enlisting in the Mexican Republican army at the end of his term of service.
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Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Francis P. Porter
Thomas S. Armstrong
June 04, 1865; Baileys Crossroads, VAThomas details his trip to Washington from Annapolis. He is uncertain about whether he will have to stay in the service following the 6th Corps's review.
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Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Francis P. Porter
Thomas S. Armstrong
June 17, 1865; Washington, DCThomas intends to be mustered out honorably and hopes to secure a position in The Select School when he is discharged. He is dismayed by the "loose morals" and licentiousness of the "fashionable world" he has witnessed in Richmond and Washington.
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Letter from Charles M. Cornyn to Thomas S. Armstrong
Charles M. Cornyn
June 25, 1865; Washington, DCDischarge orders for Thomas.
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Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Francis P. Porter
Thomas S. Armstrong
July 09, 1865; Gratiot, OHMustered out on his birthday, Thomas asks to marry Francis and reports of his reunion with family at home.
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Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Francis P. Porter
Thomas S. Armstrong
July 30, 1865; Gratiot, OHThomas discusses marriage and heading west to visit Francis. He reveals that $1,500 he sent home from Annapolis has not arrived and may be lost.