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From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Title
From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description
In a letter dated February 4 and 9, 1863, John A. Bushnell tells Eugenia Bronaugh of Hickory Grove, Missouri that he has returned home to Calhoun, Missouri and that he is safe. He says that he wants to move back into his house, which the military has been using as a hospital. He discusses the movements of Colonel Marvin’s regiment of the Missouri Militia. He also mentions news of recent battles in Vicksburg and Charleston, but says that he does not trust the information he reads in newspapers.
Date
February 4, 1863-February 9, 1863
From James Boyer to Unknown
Title
From James Boyer to Unknown
Description
On December 2, 1863, James Boyer, Deputy Provost Marshal for Chariton County, Missouri, writes a letter from Brunswick, Missouri to an unknown recipient. Boyer tells his correspondent he is grateful "for your kind offer of 95 cents on the dollar for my vouchers." He adds that he is "anxiously looking for the authority spoken of by you for recruiting."
Date
December 2, 1863
From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Title
From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description
In a May 9, 1863 letter from Calhoun, Missouri, John A. Bushnell tells Eugenia Bronaugh that he has cancelled a trip to visit her in Hickory Grove, Missouri, out of fear for his safety. He also fears discussing information that he has read in newspapers, for “I may be charged with stating it wrong.” He warns Eugenia to be careful and to not talk about “what the Rebels are going to do.”
Object Type
Letter
Date
May 9, 1863
From Fred Brown and Sara Ann Brown to Michael H. Jose
Title
From Fred Brown and Sara Ann Brown to Michael H. Jose
Description
Fred Brown and his wife Sara Ann write a letter to Michael Jose on October 14, 1866 to share news of mutual acquaintances, including several that were killed by Bushwhackers or by members of the Missouri Militia during the War. They describe an atmosphere of political unrest in Vernon County but express a hope for peace in the aftermath of the conflict, stating “lets all do our next fighting at the Ballot Box.”
Object Type
Letter
Date
October 14, 1866
From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Title
From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description
This letter, dated August 3, 4, and 6, 1862, is from John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh. Bushnell states that two Missouri Militia companies came into his town and ordered every citizen over the age of fifteen to join arms. They also ordered women “not to give any encouragement to Southern men or Companies, not to waive a Handkerchief, not to talk or give advice to the enemy.” Bushnell also mentions an order issued in a recent newspaper for Southern sympathizers to stay at home and surrender their arms.
Object Type
Letter
Date
August 3, 1862-August 6, 1862
From Mrs. Silliman to My Dear Brother
Title
From Mrs. Silliman to My Dear Brother
Description
This letter, dated August 24, 1862, is from Mrs. Silliman to her brother. She describes the “horror” of life in Warrensburg, Missouri, which has been invaded by both Bushwhackers and Jayhawkers, and is now “swarming with runaway slaves.” She complains about her health and says that the black girl who was caring for her was lured away to Kansas by soldiers. She also describes how her son Oscar avoided military service: “he was exempted from drafting, as not being ‘able bodied,’ caused by an internal injury.”
Date
August 24, 1862
From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Title
From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description
John A. Bushnell of Calhoun, Missouri writes a letter on September 25 and 27, 1862 to Eugenia Bronaugh in Hickory Grove, Missouri. He tells her that he has been forced to surrender his house to the military for use as a hospital. He complains that he “could not regard it as friendly . . . yet I have done and am doing the best I can to bear with it.” He also discusses his faith in God, and expresses hope for peace and for positive changes in the Democratic Party.
Date
September 25, 1862-September 27, 1862
From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Title
From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description
John A. Bushnell of Calhoun, Missouri writes a letter on January 10, 1863 to Eugenia Bronaugh in Hickory Grove, Missouri. He complains that he has not received any newspapers in a week. The only information, he says, that he could possibly share with her would be considered contraband: “but contraband . . . what a word for free America to use under our Constitution, our once free and happy Government, the land of Washington.”
Date
January 10, 1863
From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Title
From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description
On June 27, 1863, John A. Bushnell of Calhoun, Missouri writes a letter to Eugenia Bronaugh in Hickory Grove, Missouri, expressing fear for her safety. He shares a rumor of “men going to your house” and targeting the Bronaugh family. He makes reference to “a systematic effort to get you out of the country.” Bushnell also mentions the Kansas raids, but he expresses frustration about receiving inconsistent information and complains that neither newspapers nor rumors are reliable.
Date
June 27, 1863
From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Title
From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description
John A. Bushnell writes a letter from Calhoun, Missouri to Eugenia Bronaugh on July 16, 1863. He tells her that Missouri has recently instituted a draft and that he plans to apply for exemption. If he does not succeed, he says he will sell his belongings and attempt to “pay out” of service. He expresses his hope for a peaceful future with Eugenia and discusses his faith: “If God is with us, we are safe.”
Date
July 16, 1863
From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Title
From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description
John A. Bushnell writes a letter to Eugenia Bronaugh in Calhoun, Missouri on October 5, 1863. He mentions having a conversation with a stranger in St. Louis and says it is important to be careful when meeting new people because they may be spies. Spies and detectives are necessary in war, he argues, but they sometimes make errors at the expense of the people they are supposed to protect. He tells Eugenia about a Dr. Zimmerman who was arrested, tried, and shot after fighting Bushwhackers who invaded his home. Still, Bushnell has hope for justice: “like Death it is sure to come.”
Date
October 5, 1863
From Mrs. Silliman to My Dear Relatives
Title
From Mrs. Silliman to My Dear Relatives
Description
This letter, dated August 24, 1862, is from Mrs. Silliman of Warrensburg, Missouri to her “dear relatives.” She complains that since the war began, Warrensburg has transformed from a small, quiet town into “a thoroughfare for soldiers, jayhawkers, bush whackers . . . assassins & marauders.” She says that her son Oscar’s business has been stagnant, and that they might move to Arkansas until the war is over.
Date
August 24, 1862
From Eugenia Bronaugh to John A. Bushnell
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
From James Boyer to A. Comingo
Title
From James Boyer to A. Comingo
Description
On December 23, 1863, James Boyer, Deputy Provost Marshal for Chariton County, Missouri writes from Brunswick, Missouri to Capt. A. Comingo, Provost Marshal for the 6th District of Missouri, in Lexington, Missouri. Boyer informs Comingo that his check on the Treasury at St. Louis has been drawn at Washington, DC in favor of enrolling officer Joseph Standley. Boyer states that he also received two checks drawn at Washington as "payment in full" for services rendered by James Sportsman as enrolling officer for Subdistrict No. 30.
Date
December 23, 1863