From D.R. Anthony to Dear Father

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Camp Denver near West Point Mo Dec 22, 1861 Dear Father

Here we are again after a trip of six days to Kansas City- Independence[,] Harrisonville[,] to this place.

On our route we had several skirmishes with the enemy mostly with our picket guards. our force was only 250. We took 150 mules & 40 Horses– 129 negroes and gave the negroes [11?] Horses & mules, a lot of oxen, [14?] waggons & two carriages and all loaded down with Household [[MS. illegible]]. the negroes train into Kansas was over a mile long.

In our skirmishes we killed Col Hierst of the 3rd Mo and 6 or 7 of his men/ rebels.

We will not remain here long but will move further into Missouri to get forage– and Beef[.]

Col Jennison hopes to be promoted to a Brig Gnl[.] in that case I hope to fill his place.

I took a fine Secesh flag at Harrisonville. also a Secesh [[MS. illegible]] which I will send you- if I can.

The weather has been beautiful until this morning[.] there is 6 inches of snow. tis not cold.

How did Merritt stand the ride home?

[Truly?] D[.] R[.] Anthony

Civil War

Details

Title: From D.R. Anthony to Dear Father
Creator: Daniel Reed Anthony
Description: On December 22, 1861, D.R. Anthony writes a letter to his father, describing recent “skirmishes” with rebels. He says that he and his comrades killed Hurst, a Missouri Confederate colonel, and several of his soldiers. They also gave horses, mules, oxen, wagons, and carriages to 129 slaves and helped them escape to Kansas. Anthony informs his father that he took possession of a Secessionist flag in Harrisonville, Missouri, and adds that he hopes to take Col. Jennison’s position if Jennison is promoted to General.
Date: December 22, 1861
Local Subject: African Americans
Battle for Missouri, 1861-1865 -- Military History of Missouri and Kansas
Kansas military units
Missouri military units (Confederate)
Surviving a Guerrilla War
People: Daniel Reed Anthony
Charles R Jennison
Geographic Subject: Jackson County, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri
Independence, Missouri
Cass County, Missouri
Object Type: Letter
Owning Organization: Kansas Historical Society
Location: Daniel Anthony Reed (Coll. #259), Correspondence 1861, Box 1, Item 10
Rights: For more information on using this image, contact Kansas Memory at: State Archives, Topeka, 6425 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka KS 66615-1099, Phone: (785) 272-8681, E-mail: reference@kshs.org Publication, commercial use, or reproduction of this image or the accompanying data requires prior written permission from the Kansas Historical Society. Use of this image also requires that credit be given to the Kansas Historical Society.