All letters in the Harvey Collection, arranged in chronological order. To browse letters by key authors, navigate to an author sub-collection from the previous page.
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Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to William Armstrong
Thomas S. Armstrong
May 03, 1860; Delaware, OHBefore 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.
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Letter from Wilbur F. Armstrong to Thomas S. Armstrong
Wilbur F. Armstrong
May 08, 1860; Lebanon, OHWilbur defends his decision to stay in Lebanon and describes a "grand picnic" hosted by the Normal at the end of the term.
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Letter from Wilbur F. Armstrong to Jacob G. Armstrong
Wilbur F. Armstrong
May 18, 1860; Lebanon, OHWilbur writes of his school's celebrations at the end of the term. Now engaged in studying for the current term, Wilbur reaffirms his enthusiasm for the coursework and requests money for expenses.
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Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Jacob G. Armstrong
Thomas S. Armstrong
May 19, 1860; Delaware, OHThomas 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.
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Letter from Wilbur F. Armstrong to Jacob G. Armstrong
Wilbur F. Armstrong
May 26, 1860; Lebanon, OHWilbur revisits the devastation of a tornado that swept through Lebanon. He provides an update on his coursework and offers a list of tuition costs should Thomas be interested in attending instead of returning home to harvest.
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Letter from Wilbur F. Armstrong to Thomas S. Armstrong
Wilbur F. Armstrong
May 26, 1860; Lebanon, OHWilbur enjoys his school more the longer he remains there. He descibes his building and his neighbors, and proposes in jest that his sister Mary could join him there.
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Letter from Wilbur F. Armstrong to Thomas S. Armstrong
Wilbur F. Armstrong
June 04, 1860; Lebanon, OHWilbur decides he will not attend Ohio Wesleyan now that Dr. Thomson is gone. If he can get money to do so, he will stay at the Normal School. He encloses a circular for Thomas's reference.
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Letter from Wilbur F. Armstrong to Jacob G. Armstrong
Wilbur F. Armstrong
June 17, 1860; Lebanon, OHWilbur reports that he is boarding himself after getting stuck with a "spooney." He requests $40 to complete his term at the Normal and relays his opportunity to teach in Indiana next winter for as much as $50 a month.
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Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Jacob G. Armstrong
Thomas S. Armstrong
June 25, 1860; Delaware, OHWhile 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.
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Letter from Wilbur F. Armstrong to Jacob G. Armstrong
Wilbur F. Armstrong
June 30, 1860; Lebanon, OHWilbur is uncertain whether he wants to pursue teaching, but asks Jacob to try to get him a school position near Newark. Wilbur is taking music lessons with an instructor from Cincinnati and performed with his class at a recent concert in Lebanon.
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Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Jacob G. Armstrong
Thomas S. Armstrong
July 02, 1860; Delaware, OHThomas is considering visiting home, but urgently needs about $30 to cover his bills in Delaware.
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Letter from Wilbur F. Armstrong to Jacob G. Armstrong
Wilbur F. Armstrong
July 19, 1860; Lebanon, OHWilbur acknowledges receipt of money from Jacob and suggests he will travel to Missouri when school is out.
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Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Francis P. Porter
Thomas S. Armstrong
October 10, 1860; Brownsville, OHThomas apologizes for being unable to visit Francis. He asks her to direct mail to Brownsville, Ohio where he will start teaching next week.
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Letter from Wilbur F. Armstrong to Thomas S. Armstrong
Wilbur F. Armstrong
July 23, 1861; Washington, DCWilbur provides a diaristic account of his trip to Capitol Hill, including his itinerary, artwork he viewed, Congressional sessions he attended and the gathering of troops there from early engagements at the onset of the war. He concludes the letter: "If you could see some of the realities of soldiering, you would not want to volunteer even if Abe Lincoln was captain. I advise you to stay at home. You may rest assured that I will not volunteer..."
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Letter from Abram Hull to William Armstrong and Jane Armstrong
Abram Hull
August 06, 1861; Claylick, OHAbram and Matilda inform the Armstrongs of local men who have enlisted.
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Letter from Wilbur F. Armstrong to Thomas S. Armstrong
Wilbur F. Armstrong
October 01, 1861; Norwich, OHWilbur is disappointed that a Sargeancy he was promised for enlisting will not materialize. He mulls the prospect of joining the army as a Private and offers words of encouragement to Thomas.
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Letter from Wilbur F. Armstrong to George W. Porter
Wilbur F. Armstrong
October 01, 1861; Norwich, OHWilbur asks George to find out if a Captain can be reported for using false pretenses to get men to join his regiment.
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Letter from Wilbur F. Armstrong to Robert Hanson
Wilbur F. Armstrong
October 01, 1861; Norwich, OHWilbur relays his dismay at not being appointed Sergeant to Robert. He intends to return to camp soon.
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Letter from William H. Turner to Thomas S. Armstrong
William H. Turner
October 11, 1861; Gauley Bridge, WVW.H. Turner describes skirmish in the Kanawha Valley and defending against ambush on the Gauley River. William's captain takes measures to rally his soldiers in the aftermath.
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Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Francis P. Porter
Thomas S. Armstrong
October 29, 1861; Fultonham, OHThomas reports he is prospering at school and anxiously awaiting word from George and Francis.
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Letter from George J. Potts to Thomas S. Armstrong
George J. Potts
November 12, 1861; Putnam, OHGeorge and Wilbur are enlisting with Zachariah Morris Chandler in the 78th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Thomas is invited to join them.
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Letter from Wilbur F. Armstrong to Thomas S. Armstrong
Wilbur F. Armstrong
November 16, 1861; Norwich, OHWilbur instructs Thomas to darn his stockings before they wear out. He writes of their father William's succes at a county fair and David Tod's election at Governor of Ohio.
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Letter from Mary Armstrong to Thomas S. Armstrong
Mary Armstrong
November 18, 1861; Norwich, OHMary requests that Thomas and Wilbur enlist in same company.
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Letter from Zachariah Chandler to Thomas S. Armstrong
Zachariah Chandler
November 21, 1861; Putnam, OHZachariah Chandler asks Thomas to circulate as many posters as possible to encourage enlistment.
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Letter from Zachariah Chandler to Thomas S. Armstrong
Zachariah Chandler
November 28, 1861; Putnam, OHZachariah Chandler encourages Thomas to put up more posters and asks for a better house for the recruitment meetings.