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Perry Collection (Mss 676), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

MSS Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Collection 676. Letters, papers, photographs and scrapbooks of the Perry family, principally Gideon Babcock Perry, rector of Grace Episcopal Church, Hopkinsville, Kentucky and his children, Reverend Henry G. Perry, Chicago, Illinois, and Emily B. Perry, Hopkinsville.

And With The Sound The Carols Drowned: Captives In Bleak December, John M. Rudy

Interpreting the Civil War: Connecting the Civil War to the American Public

Christmas was coming, and a knot of officers of the 87th Pennsylvania suddenly found their December a bit brighter. Nine boxes had been sent along to the officers, packed to the brim with, "all kinds of necessaries and delicacies, such as will be conducive to our comfort and health while in our present condition." And the soldiers were pleased.

Any soldier would be pleased to have a pair of warm socks, a stack of stationary or a can of preserved vegetables from home. But these men were doubly pleased.

The letter of gratitude they wrote to the Gettysburg Compiler was …

Letter From Thomas S. Armstrong To Francis P. Porter, Thomas S. Armstrong

Harvey Collection Letters

Thomas expresses exasperation at his continued imprisonment and mentions of "horrors" of prison life he will not describe.

Letter From Thomas S. Armstrong To Francis P. Porter, Thomas S. Armstrong

Harvey Collection Letters

Thomas indicates that prison life is tolerable, but he fears the potential for a disease outbreak.

Letter From Thomas S. Armstrong To Jacob G. Armstrong, Thomas S. Armstrong

Harvey Collection Letters

Thomas requests additional food and books for his studies.

Letter From Thomas S. Armstrong To Francis P. Porter, Thomas S. Armstrong

Harvey Collection Letters

Nearly 5 months into his prison term, Thomas expresses doubt about leaving soon. He relays details about Jacob's wounds from fighting Quantrell's raiders in Lawrence, Kansas.

Letter From Thomas S. Armstrong To Armstrong Family, Thomas S. Armstrong

Harvey Collection Letters

Thomas requests additional food and cooking supplies and mentions subject areas he is studying with fellow prisoners.

Letter From Thomas S. Armstrong To William Armstrong, Thomas S. Armstrong

Harvey Collection Letters

Thomas again requests a box of provisions, adding a few items, prison authorities are allowing prisoners to use Confederate money.

Letter From Thomas S. Armstrong To William Armstrong And Jane Armstrong, Thomas S. Armstrong

Harvey Collection Letters

Thomas lists items he wants his parents to send if he is not exchanged soon.

Letter From Thomas S. Armstrong To Jacob G. Armstrong, Thomas S. Armstrong

Harvey Collection Letters

Thomas assures his family that he is "as comfortable as any prisoner is likely to be" and lists the clothes that he has with him.

Letter From Thomas S. Armstrong To Francis P. Porter, Thomas S. Armstrong

Harvey Collection Letters

Thomas despairs at his prospects now that he is imprisoned. He requests a letter after being without contact for a month.

Letter From Thomas S. Armstrong To William Armstrong And Jane Armstrong, Thomas S. Armstrong

Harvey Collection Letters

Thomas 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.