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Title: Court Martial Proceedings Against Capt. John E. Stewart
Description: This document details the court martial proceedings at Kansas City, Missouri against Capt. John E. Stewart, Co. C, 9th Kansas Volunteers on November 18, 1863. Stewart is accused of “conduct unbecoming an officer and a Gentleman” by misrepresenting himself as a Missouri citizen to Kansas City election officials on November 5, 1863. Stewart pleaded not guilty and was acquitted. On the last page of the document, General Ewing writes a response in which he asks the court to reconsider the verdict.
Date: November 18, 1863

Title: From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description: John A. Bushnell of Calhoun, Missouri writes to Eugenia Bronaugh in Hickory Grove, Missouri, reacting to news that her family has fallen victim to “outrages” perpetrated by “evil minded persons.” In the letter, dated July 12, 1864, he informs Eugenia that a Mr. Taylor and a Mr. Robinson have taken possession of two of his houses. He also makes reference to an attack on a black woman’s home, but he omits details because he does not want his words to be “wrongly construed.”
Date: July 12, 1864

Title: From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description: On June 15, 1863, John Bushnell writes from Calhoun, Missouri to Eugenia Bronaugh. John references an incendiary “peace meeting” in New York (possibly the June 3 “Peace Convention”), likening it to John Brown’s raid on Harper’s Ferry. He fears that war may soon permeate “every state in the Union.” John mentions a friend who has seen “every battle fought by General Price since the Lexington fight,” and is now awaiting exchange as a military prisoner.
Date: June 15, 1863

Title: From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description: John A. Bushnell writes a letter to Eugenia Bronaugh in Hickory Grove, Missouri on February 21, 22, and 23, 1864. He describes how local business in Calhoun, Missouri has suffered during wartime, stating that “some of our best citizens” have been forced to stop working or to leave town. He complains that his daily life used to be enjoyable, but now he cannot escape from “the eyes of the curious or idle.” He tells Eugenia that he wants to visit her, but is afraid of potential violence.
Date: February 21, 1864-February 23, 1864

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

Title: From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description: John A. Bushnell writes a letter from his home in Calhoun, Missouri to Eugenia Bronaugh. In the letter, dated August 17, 1864, Bushnell expresses his contempt for disloyal citizens, declaring them evil. He tells Eugenia of his plans to visit her, but emphasizes his need for caution due to the danger of bushwhackers and radicals. He speaks of his hope for peace in Missouri and predicts an impending “crisis” in the northern states.
Date: August 17, 1864

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

Title: List of Morgan County Radicals in This District
Description: This document, ca. 1861-1865, provides a list of “radicals in this District.” Each of the 22 “radicals” is identified by name, town, and county; most are from Andrew County, Missouri. A note on the reverse states “There are some others but don’t know their address.”

Title: From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description: On May 7, 1865 John A. Bushnell writes from Sedalia, Missouri to Eugenia Bronaugh in Calhoun, Missouri. John observes that Sedalia’s economy is improving, probably due to the war's end. He adds, “I do hope our good Henry County folks will follow the example and use money and labor too for the benefit of the country and cease using their tongues and harsh threats.”
Date: May 7, 1865

Title: From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description: On November 26, 1864, John A. Bushnell writes from Calhoun, Missouri to Eugenia Bronaugh in Hickory Grove, Missouri. John states that his recent trip to and from St. Louis was slowed by “those pesky rebels” who tore up the railroad, and Federals who burned the bridges. John says that since both armies were acting in accordance with the law of “self preservation,” which is "the first law of war," he will not complain.
Object Type: Letter
Date: November 26, 1864

Title: From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description: John A. Bushnell of Calhoun, Missouri writes a letter on February 28, 1863 to Eugenia Bronaugh in Hickory Grove, Missouri. He tells her that “petty acts of tyranny have been committed elsewhere” and predicts that if similar violence occurs where he lives, his neighbors will be too cowardly to defend themselves. He also complains about censorship in newspapers and shares news that General Price “is appointed to the command in rebel army west of the Mississippi.”
Object Type: Letter
Date: February 28, 1863

Title: From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description: On September 27, 1864, John A. Bushnell writes from Calhoun, Missouri to Eugenia Bronaugh in Hickory Grove, Missouri. John describes his recent trip to Clinton, Missouri and states that executions have been ordered against him. However, he does not think court will be in session because “the news of the papers and the moves of the troops in this state show something is up. Various rumors are afloat about which I would write if it was safe.”
Date: September 27, 1864

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 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

Title: From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description: John A. Bushnell writes a letter from Clinton, Missouri to Eugenia Bronaugh in Hickory Grove, Missouri. In the letter, dated July 3 and 5, 1864, Bushnell expresses fear that his life may be in danger and that his letters may be misconstrued as disloyal. He criticizes traitors and declares that this country was “not made by selfish hands for selfish purposes.” He says that soldiers have left Calhoun, and that he would like to know what they are doing next, but does not want to “manifest any unusual curiosities.” He also mentions hearing a sermon on Independence Day about racial equality.
Object Type: Letter
Date: July 3, 1864-July 5, 1864

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

Title: From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description: In this July 15, 1864 letter, John A. Bushnell of Calhoun, Missouri informs Eugenia Bronaugh of Hickory Grove, Missouri that he is in great danger. He says that his safety and his personal property are at risk and he laments that “the pretence of civil law is a humbug.” He conveys his desire for the war to end and for enemies to become friends, to love one another, and to love God.
Date: July 15, 1864

Title: From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description: John A. Bushnell writes a letter from St. Louis to Eugenia Bronaugh of Hickory Grove, Missouri on August 3, 1864. He tells her that one of his former slaves was arrested and brutally attacked in Sedalia, Missouri, and he expresses hope that the Conservative Party will put an end to the violence and lawlessness. He tells Eugenia that he wishes he could write to her freely, without “the fear of fiendish eyes,” but he suspects that all of the letters he sends her are intercepted and read.
Date: August 3, 1864

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

Title: Proclamation to the State of Missouri
Description: In response to the federal government’s order that all eligible men enroll for the draft, Upton Hays and William Clarke Quantrill issue this proclamation to the state of Missouri. Hays and Quantrill state that all Missourians joining their forces will be furnished with arms and ammunition. “Any one who shall be found guilty of reporting to any military post the whereabouts of any Southern person shall be shot,” while men eligible for military duty who leave the state will be deemed “enemies of the ‘South’ and treated accordingly.”
Object Type: Circular
Date: August 4, 1862

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

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