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
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 George W. Porter to Francis P. Porter
George W. Porter
June 17, 1863; Near Vicksburg, MSGeorge provides an account of the regiment's fighting leading up to the Siege of Vicksburg. He describes the Union army's fortifications, sapping tactics, and encounters with enemy sharpshooters.
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Letter from George W. Porter to Francis P. Porter
George W. Porter
June 27, 1863; Rear of Vicksburg, MSGeorge details the demolition of a fort in Vicksburg and the bloodshed of the ensuing charges incurred by the Union regiments. He requests that his body be buried wherever the Porter family is situated.
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Letter from George W. Porter to Francis P. Porter
George W. Porter
July 09, 1863; Vicksburg, MSGeorge contemplates his good fortune to have survived so much combat and offers his sister Francis consolation for her anxiety about him. George describes the aftermath of victory at Vicksburg.
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Letter from Flavilla Armstrong to Armstrong Family
Flavilla Armstrong
July 21, 1863; Zanesville. OHFlavilla writes home about Mr. Church from the 122nd OVI who was captured alongside Thomas at Winchester. She mentions a neighbor, Mr. Slack, whose son in the 122nd died from illness.
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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 R.A. McGee to Jacob G. Armstrong
R.A. McGee
August 10, 1863; Monmouth, ILJacob's friend R.A. McGee provides details about his living situation in Monmouth and describes a violent run-in with a "Copperhead."
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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 John Porter to William Armstrong
John Porter
August 26, 1863; Clinton, ILJohn Porter, father of the Porter family, reports to William Armstrong of his success farming in Clinton and asks after Thomas.
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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 Mary Armstrong to Francis P. Porter
Mary Armstrong
September 08, 1863; Norwich, OHMary requests that Francis come visit and offers that she has recently attended a local dance.
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Letter from George W. Porter to Jacob G. Armstrong
George W. Porter
September 08, 1863; Vicksburg, MSGeorge takes stock of his commitment to the Union cause after taking part in "five hard fought battles." He asks after Thomas upon learning he is imprisoned.
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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.
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Letter from George W. Porter to Francis P. Porter
George W. Porter
September 12, 1863; Vicksburg, MSGeorge writes to Francis of Thomas's imprisonment and some possible command posts for George's superior, General Leggett.
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Teaching certificate for Francis P. Porter
DeWitt County School Commissioner
September 26, 1863; DeWitt County, ILFrancis's teaching certificate
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Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to William Armstrong
Thomas S. Armstrong
September 28, 1863; Libby, Richmond, VAThomas again requests a box of provisions, adding a few items, prison authorities are allowing prisoners to use Confederate money.
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Letter from Thomas S. Armstrong to Jacob G. Armstrong
Thomas S. Armstrong
October 09, 1863; Libby, Richmond, VAThomas asks Jacob to send the items he requested last month.
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Letter from John W. Marshall to Francis P. Porter
John W. Marshall
October 09, 1863; Chattanooga, TNFearing there will not be any women to marry when he returns home from the war, John Porter suggests that he and Francis "make some arrangement that will tend to our mutual benefit."
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Letter from W.G. Spencer to William Armstrong
W.G. Spencer
October 16, 1863; Germantown, OHW.G. Spencer discusses wool prices, asks after Thomas, and wonders when the war will end.
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Letter from George W. Porter to Francis P. Porter
George W. Porter
October 22, 1863; Vicksburg, MSGeorge describes a skirmish that took place over 5 days, including a "narrow escape" from an ambush.
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Letter from George W. Porter to Francis P. Porter
George W. Porter
October 28, 1863; Vicksburg, MSGeorge responds to Francis's updates from Clinton and her teaching position.
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Letter from George W. Porter to Jacob G. Armstrong
George W. Porter
October 29, 1863; Vicksburg, MSGeorge offers his thoughts on Jacob's ill-fated "Kansas expedition" and discusses the recent skirmishes he participated in near Canton, Mississippi.