Civil War

Title: From Eugenia Bronaugh to John A. Bushnell
Description: This letter, dated June 10, 1864, is from Eugenia Bronaugh at Hickory Grove, Missouri, to John Bushnell. Eugenia expresses her gratitude that “Dear Friends” remained safe – presumably in battle – on May 4th and writes that “we should all pray that this cruel war may soon be over.” She tells John she longs for him to visit, but warns him to be careful and to attempt a visit only if he thinks it “prudent.”
Date: June 10, 1864

Title: From Eugenia Bronaugh to John A. Bushnell
Description: Eugenia Bronaugh writes a letter from Hickory Grove, Missouri to John A. Bushnell of Calhoun, Missouri on October 15, 1863. She says that she went to the post office to pick up a letter from him and the officer on duty refused to give it to her because it had been determined to be disloyal. Eugenia argues that, “You meant no disloyalty, it is far from you to do anything against our government—the government which has and is protecting us.” Nevertheless, she warns him to “weigh every word” he writes.
Object Type: Letter
Date: October 15, 1863

Title: From Eugenia Bronaugh to John A. Bushnell
Description: Eugenia Bronaugh writes to John Bushnell from Hickory Grove, Missouri on May 30, 1865. She describes a severe thunderstorm, and says the shrubbery in her garden is “destroyed since the war.” Eugenia says her relatives in Saline County, Missouri wish they could relocate from their home because it reminds them of “evils committed in the name of ‘Liberty.’” Eugenia herself also longs to relocate to escape unfaithful friends and memories of “the cruelties of war.”
Object Type: Letter
Date: May 30, 1865

Title: From Eugenia Bronaugh to John A. Bushnell
Description: This letter, dated July 6, 1865, was written by Eugenia Bronaugh while visiting relatives in Coal Bank, Cooper County, Missouri to John A. Bushnell. Eugenia describes meeting a young man familiar with her relatives in Henry County, Missouri, and refers to a soldier named Mr. Douglas, who “is still here and will remain until he can look about for something to do. Poor Brave, returning soldiers!”
Date: July 6, 1865

Title: From Eugenia Bronaugh to John A. Bushnell
Description: Eugenia Bronaugh writes a letter, dated January 12, 1864, to John A. Bushnell in St. Louis. She tells him that a few friends recently visited her in Hickory Grove, Missouri, and sang patriotic songs. She describes them as “devoted and faithful friends to the Government” and wishes that everyone “were so true!” She updates him about other mutual acquaintances, and expresses a wish for peace and safety.
Object Type: Letter
Date: January 12, 1864

Title: From Eugenia Bronaugh to John A. Bushnell
Description: On December 29, 1863, Eugenia Bronaugh of Hickory Grove, Missouri writes a letter to John A. Bushnell in St. Louis. She tells him that she had planned to travel to Deepwater, Missouri, but was unable to go because of the "Kansas Raid." She writes, in reference to Bushnell’s recently freed slaves: “I had hoped that your blacks were giving you no trouble . . . I often wish that ours were as far away.”
Date: December 29, 1863

Title: From Eugenia Bronaugh to John A. Bushnell
Description: Eugenia Bronaugh writes a letter from Hickory Grove, Missouri to John A. Bushnell, a merchandiser who is away on business; she believes he is in Clinton, Missouri. In the letter, dated May 11, 1863, Eugenia expresses her love for John and her fears for his safety. She mentions rumors of Rebel soldiers in the area, and pleads with him to return, as “this portion of our country too has been the theatre of many a tragic scene.”
Date: May 11, 1863

Title: From Eugenia Bronaugh to John A. Bushnell
Description: Eugenia Bronaugh writes a letter to John Bushnell in St. Louis on December 16, 1863. She tells him that the Kansas Delegation recently invaded her hometown of Hickory Grove, Missouri and stole property and recently-freed slaves from people whom they had determined were disloyal to the government. Eugenia complains that Christmas is around the corner and “yet great armies are in the field and among them my own dear Brothers.”
Date: December 16, 1863

Title: From Eugenia Bronaugh to John A. Bushnell
Description: On October 22, 1863, Eugenia Bronaugh writes a letter from Hickory Grove, Missouri to John A. Bushnell, who is away in St. Louis. Referring to herself in the third person, she claims to be a Union devotee. She recounts recent correspondence from her brothers, who fought in the Battle of Helena for the Federal army. She praises their bravery, and relates their descriptions of the “toil and hardships of war”.
Date: October 22, 1863

Civil War on the Western Border: The Missouri-Kansas Conflict, 1854-1865