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 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 Jacob G. Armstrong to W.G. Spencer
Jacob G. Armstrong
February 05, 1863; Norwich, OHJacob updates the Spencer family on Thomas's activity, considers military strategy and Ambrose Burnside; describes the wool business in relation to a cotton shortage
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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 George W. Porter to Francis P. Porter
George W. Porter
February 25, 1863; Providence, LAGeorge is asking Francis for news from home, shares he is serving as Aide de Camp to Colonel Leggett.
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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 John W.A. Gillespie to Francis P. Porter and Huldah Porter
John W.A. Gillespie
March 14, 1863; Lake Providence, LAJohn reminisces about childhood while looking at photographs and mentions now having a wife back in Ohio.
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Letter from George W. Porter to Francis P. Porter
George W. Porter
March 14, 1863; Lake Providence, LAGeorge asks his family to write more often and to "never wait an answer." He regrets that Thomas has not written back and worries about his marriage prospects when he gets to return home.
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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 George W. Porter to Francis P. Porter
George W. Porter
April 03, 1863; Lake Provident, LAGeorge is in line for an official promotion to Aide de Camp to Colonel Leggett. He describes an incident dealing with a sutler smuggling alcohol to soldiers. Robert Hanson is in poor health.
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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 George W. Porter to Francis P. Porter
George W. Porter
April 19, 1863; Millikins Bend, LAGeorge describes how his camp faired during a big storm and his interactions with soldiers from other companies that have gathered there.
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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 George W. Porter to Francis P. Porter
George W. Porter
May 06, 1863; Big Black, MSGeorge tells Francis of his declining the Colonelcy of the 11th Louisiana Regiment of African descent.
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Letter from George W. Porter to R.R. Towns
George W. Porter
May 06, 1863; Near Big Black, MSGeorge withdraws his candidacy for a Colonelcy of the 11th Louisiana Regiment of African descent and provides his reasoning.
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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 Jasper Yarnell to Francis P. Porter
Jasper Yarnell
May 19, 1863; Benton Barracks, MOJasper Yarnell, a friend of the Porter family, explains that he has not been granted furlough and will only visit Clinton if honorably discharged.
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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.