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From John W. Reid to John W. Geary
Title
From John W. Reid to John W. Geary
Description
John W. Reid writes a letter from Independence, Missouri to Kansas Gov. John W. Geary on September 20, 1856. Reid states that he obeyed Geary’s order to disband his troops and terminate an expedition to plunder Lawrence. He admits that “some bad men who were with us did commit some outrages . . . which I hope you will believe was beyond my control or power to prevent.”
Object Type
Letter
Date
September 20, 1856
From Wilson Shannon to Unknown
Title
From Wilson Shannon to Unknown
Description
This letter was written ca. December 25, 1855 by Kansas Gov. Wilson Shannon to an unknown recipient. Shannon states that on December 9, 1855, he was at a party in Lawrence, Kansas when Charles Robinson informed him that “a large irregular force” was threatening to attack the town. Robinson asked Shannon to give him and James Lane written authority to defend Lawrence by force. Shannon signed Robinson’s paper, but later discovered that the threatened attack was a ruse devised by “tricksters who by fraudulent representations were seeking to obtain an advantage over me.”
From Abishai Stowell to "Dear Sister"
Title
From Abishai Stowell to "Dear Sister"
Description
On August 1, 1863, Abishai Stowell writes from camp in Springfield, Missouri to his sister. Stowell reports that "the times seem to be peaceable in this section there is no fighting except a little brush with bushwhackers now & then." He says that Gen. Blunt "had a fight with the Rebels in the Cherokee Nation & defeated them." Stowell predicts that the war will end within three months because "the North is just beginning to open their eyes & see the true state of affairs."
Date
August 1, 1863
Affidavit of W.F. Dyer
Title
Affidavit of W.F. Dyer
Description
This affidavit was sworn by W.F. Dyer on September 13, 1856 before R.R. Nelson, Justice of the Peace of Douglas County, Kansas. Dyer states that on September 8 and 9, 1856, a band of at least one hundred men robbed him of six head of mules and horses, and merchandise worth more than $4,000. Dyer indicates that the same men were assembled at Ozawkie, KS on September 13, 1856 for the purpose of raiding and burning the town.
Object Type
Legal Document
Date
September 13, 1856
Major Clark's Raid
Title
Major Clark's Raid
Description
This unsigned document, ca. 1856, states that Maj. Clark and 300 men burnt down houses, robbed stores, took prisoners, and sent people down the Missouri River. The document declares that Clark “has always been a fire brand” and has left the country “in a state of turmoil.”
Object Type
Government Document
From Thomas Carney to James L. McDowell
Title
From Thomas Carney to James L. McDowell
Description
This dispatch, dated August 6, 1862, is from Kansas Gov. Thomas Carney to James L. McDowell. Carney orders McDowell to return a pistol and rifle that were stolen from Col. Barnes by Jayhawkers. A note from C. Clarkson at the bottom of the page states that the rifle was in fact stolen but the pistol was not.
Date
August 6, 1862
From Abishai Stowell to "Dear Sister"
Title
From Abishai Stowell to "Dear Sister"
Description
On October 14, 1863, Abishai Stowell writes from Springfield, Missouri to his sister. Stowell reports that he was recently home on furlough, and says the family wants to move away from their home. He thinks this is unnecessary: "Our folks live in a place where there is no danger from the Indians & but little from the Guirilas." Stowell believes that many girls are so "afraid that the men will all be killed off before this war ends...they marry men that they would not think of speaking to 4 years ago."
Date
October 14, 1863
From James Henry Lane to R.M. Ainsworth
Title
From James Henry Lane to R.M. Ainsworth
Description
This is a copy of a letter written by Gen. James Henry Lane, labeled the first letter of the Wakarusa War. In the letter, dated December 1, 1855 and addressed to R.M. Ainsworth, Lane writes that a Free State man, Charles Dow, was “cowardly + brutally murdered by a gang of Proslavery men” in Lawrence, Kansas. Violence and threats followed, Lane says, and according to rumors, “this city is to be demolished without delay.”
Object Type
Letter
Date
December 1, 1855
From Thomas Carney to James L. McDowell
Title
From Thomas Carney to James L. McDowell
Description
This letter, dated February 9, 1864, was written by Kansas Governor Thomas Carney in Topeka, Kansas to Major General James L. McDowell. Carney orders McDowell to organize and assume command of the Topeka militia for the purpose of protecting the city and its vicinity from guerrilla attacks. Carney states that he will promptly grant any necessary assistance in securing the public safety.
Object Type
Letter
Date
February 9, 1864
From Jesse Newell to John W. Geary
Title
From Jesse Newell to John W. Geary
Description
In this September 20, 1856 letter to Kansas Gov. John W. Geary, Jesse Newell complains that he was driven from his house by a band of guerrillas. He claims that they destroyed his property and threatened to hang him, his son Robert, and his brother-in-law. He adds that his neighbors are not safe either, and that his neighborhood is “pested” with guerrillas.
Object Type
Letter
Date
September 20, 1856
From John A. Halderman to Samuel R. Curtis
Title
From John A. Halderman to Samuel R. Curtis
Description
This letter, dated November 6, 1862, is from Maj. John A. Halderman of the 1st Kansas Volunteer Infantry Regiment to Maj. Gen. Curtis, commander of the Department of the Missouri. Halderman asks, on behalf of Kansas Gov. Charles Robinson, for Curtis’s assistance in arming the Kansas State Militia so that they can better protect the Kansas-Missouri border “against the violence of lawless bands in Missouri.”
Date
November 6, 1862
From Cyrus Leland, Jr. to Dear Mother
Title
From Cyrus Leland, Jr. to Dear Mother
Description
Cyrus Leland, Jr. writes a letter to his mother in Troy, Kansas on September 16, 1863. Leland, a lieutenant of the 10th Kansas Infantry, Company F, reports that he recently arrived in Kansas City, Missouri from Atchison, Kansas. He tells his mother that a colonel fought a band of Bushwhackers the previous day: “He killed several and captured forty Horses.”
Date
September 16, 1863
From Daniel Woodson to William P. Richardson
Title
From Daniel Woodson to William P. Richardson
Description
This order, dated September 1, 1856, was sent by Acting Kansas Governor Daniel Woodson in Lecompton, Kansas, to Major General William P. Richardson, Kansas Militia, Northern Division. Woodson reminds Richardson that General Order No. 1, issued August 21, 1856, directed that all peaceable Kansas citizens and their property were to be protected regardless of their political views, and that no houses were to be destroyed unless they were proven to be used as forts or arsenals against the territorial government. Woodson directs Richardson to use the “severest penalties” against soldiers violating the order, and prohibits the burning of dwellings.
Date
September 1, 1856
From John Wright to John W. Geary
Title
From John Wright to John W. Geary
Description
In this September 20, 1856 letter to Kansas Gov. John W. Geary, John Wright complains that a mob of 15 to 20 armed men raided his house. According to Wright, the mob was led by Capt. Miller of Leavenworth County, Kansas. They broke into his home with revolvers, threatened to kill him, and captured Joseph Wright and John Kissinger. Wright asks Geary to rescue Joseph and John from the mob and “Save their Lives.”
Object Type
Letter
Date
September 20, 1856
From Wilson Shannon to E.V. Sumner
Title
From Wilson Shannon to E.V. Sumner
Description
This dispatch, dated June 4, 1856, was sent by Kansas Gov. Wilson Shannon in Lecompton, Kansas, to Col. E.V. Sumner at Headquarters, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Shannon informs Sumner that there are about 300 Free State men in Prairie City, Kansas, “fortified and prepared to fight.” Shannon adds that Capt. Pate and twenty or thirty prisoners are confined there.
Date
June 4, 1856
From Wilson Shannon to E.V. Sumner
Title
From Wilson Shannon to E.V. Sumner
Description
This dispatch, dated June 4, 1856, was sent by Kansas Gov. Wilson Shannon in Lecompton, Kansas, to Col. E.V. Sumner at Headquarters, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. With the goal of “preserving the peace and good order of this Territory,” Shannon gives Sumner a detailed set of instructions to station U.S. troops at various points in Franklin and Douglas Counties in Kansas. Shannon warns that in carrying out the plan, the troops must treat all persons equally regardless of party affiliation.
Date
June 4, 1856
From Wilson Shannon to E.V. Sumner
Title
From Wilson Shannon to E.V. Sumner
Description
This dispatch, dated May 21, 1856, was sent by Kansas Gov. Wilson Shannon in Lecompton, Kansas, to Col. E.V. Sumner at Headquarters, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Due to recent civil unrest in Lawrence, Kansas, Shannon instructs Sumner to station companies of U.S. troops at or near Lawrence, Lecompton, and Topeka, Kansas. Shannon explains that federal troops are the only ones he feels safe using in response to “these civil commotions.” He notes that the U.S. Marshal has made several arrests for the crime of high treason.
Date
May 21, 1856
From Persifor Smith to M.C. Dickey
Title
From Persifor Smith to M.C. Dickey
Description
This letter, dated July 23, 1856, is from Persifor Smith, a U.S. Army Major at Fort Leavenworth, to M.C. Dickey and “others, conductors of emigrating companies.” Smith responds to a letter in which Dickey and the others request military protection from armed bodies guarding the Kansas border. Smith denies their request: “I have no evidence that any parties are in arms to oppose you . . . I cannot act on your vague suspicions.”
Object Type
Letter
Date
July 23, 1856
From Wilson Shannon to E.V. Sumner
Title
From Wilson Shannon to E.V. Sumner
Description
This dispatch, dated June 4, 1856, was sent by Kansas Gov. Wilson Shannon in Lecompton, Kansas, to Col. E.V. Sumner at Headquarters, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Shannon has received reliable information that the town of Franklin, Kansas was attacked by about 150 armed men the previous night, leaving one man dead and five or six taken prisoner. Shannon hopes that Sumner will take prompt action to stop “these outrages.” Shannon adds that a proclamation is being prepared and he will send copies to Sumner.
Date
June 4, 1856
From Wilson Shannon to E.V. Sumner
Title
From Wilson Shannon to E.V. Sumner
Description
This dispatch, dated May 27, 1856, was sent by Kansas Gov. Wilson Shannon in Lecompton, Kansas, to Col. E.V. Sumner at Headquarters, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Shannon refers to a recent incident in Osawatomie, Kansas, in which five men were murdered by Free State supporters. Shannon states that he has sent Capt. Wood and his company – now stationed at Lawrence, Kansas – to Osawatomie; he therefore orders Col. Sumner to move two companies of U.S. troops to Lawrence and await further instructions.
Date
May 27, 1856

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