Armstrong

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

2026 Editor's Note: This page uses language about race that was commonplace when the book was published and is offensive by today's standards. The text has been left exactly as it was printed, rather than cut or softened, so that the historical record — including how ordinary such language once was — is preserved. (Ed: ET 2026-07-22) SAMUEL CHAPMAN, an American educator, born in Hawaii in 1839, a son of Richard Armstrong , an American missionary to the Sandwich Islands. In 1860 he came to the United States; in 1862 was graduated at Williams College; and in June of the same year he organized a company for the 125th Regiment of New York Infantry , and with it was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. At Harper's Ferry he was captured and held prisoner for three months. After the close of the war he was mustered out of the volunteer service with the rank of brigadier-general . During his service he volunteered for the command of a regiment of colored troops , with whom he served two years. In 1866 he took up the work of the Freedman's Bureau and at first had the oversight of the colored people in 10 counties of Virginia. After two years in this work he founded a school which afterward became famous as the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute. The United States Government began sending Indian youths there in 1878. General Armstrong was president of the Institute till his death, May 11, 1893.