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From S.H. Woodson to George R. Smith
Title
From S.H. Woodson to George R. Smith
Description
On July 1, 1856, S.H. Woodson writes from Independence, Missouri to Gen. George R. Smith. Woodson denies the charge that he called Smith "as great an Abolitionist as there was in Massachusetts or in New York," declaring "There is not one word of truth in it."
Date
July 1, 1856
From R.C. Ewing to George R. Smith
Title
From R.C. Ewing to George R. Smith
Description
On June 18, 1856, R.C. Ewing writes from Lexington, Missouri to Gen. George R. Smith. Ewing warns Smith that his opinions regarding Kansas "are doing you…damage in Saline, Lafayette, and Jackson" counties in Missouri because "those who control matters here, say they are afraid of the effect of compromising anything on the Slavery question." Ewing predicts that these three counties will oppose Smith's nomination.
Date
June 18, 1856
From P. McClanahan to A. Comingo
Title
From P. McClanahan to A. Comingo
Description
On December 20, 1863, P. McClanahan writes from Independence, Missouri to Capt. A. Comingo in Lexington, Missouri. McClanahan requests authorization to add names to the military enrollment lists since they are incorrect. He says he is glad Maj. Gen. Schofield "is not removed," and hopes he will be retained. McClanahan also asks Comingo to authorize William Rodewald to recruit blacks for the service.
Date
December 20, 1863
Another Abolition Outrage
Title
Another Abolition Outrage
Description
The St. Louis Daily Bulletin printed this article on December 11, 1860, announcing that a party of abolitionists tried to steal forty slaves from Morgan Walker in Independence, Missouri. J.H. McMurray, author of the article, writes: "Walker told them to take the negroes, and commenced shooting. One of the gang fell dead on the steps; one was taken prisoner, and the messenger thought two others were killed."
Object Type
Newspaper Article
Date
December 11, 1860
From Calvin Iserman to Brother William
Title
From Calvin Iserman to Brother William
Description
In this letter of October 3, 1858, Calvin Iserman writes from Independence, Missouri to his brother William. Calvin wants to leave Independence, where non-slaveholders are “counted just nobody at all," and “a poor man, and mechanic is looked upon as no better than a slave.” He declares that “any man East that upholds Slavery…should be made to live in a Slave State all of his life time.” Calvin plans to go to Kansas Territory and “take a look around.”
Object Type
Letter
Date
October 3, 1858
From J.H. Smith to A. Comingo
Title
From J.H. Smith to A. Comingo
Description
On March 17, 1864, Assistant Provost Marshal J.H. Smith writes from the Headquarters of the 3rd Sub-District, Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Missouri, presumably to Capt. A. Comingo, Provost Marshal for the 6th District of Missouri. Smith states that he is sending a list of "colored recruits" enlisted from Lafayette, Jackson, and Saline Counties since January 1, 1864.
Date
March 17, 1864
Diary of Lewis Timothy Litchfield
Title
Diary of Lewis Timothy Litchfield
Description
This is an excerpt from the diary of Lewis Thomas Litchfield, written between 1854 and 1855. Litchfield writes about leaving Boston and travelling to Kansas with a party from the Emigrant Aid Society. He describes the pioneer camp established near the junction of the Kansas and Wakarusa Rivers, voting to name the settlement "Lawrence," and construction of the first building. Litchfield also mentions a burgeoning conflict between the Kansas settlers and the Missourians.
Object Type
Diary
Date
1854-1855
From P. McClanahan to A. Comingo
Title
From P. McClanahan to A. Comingo
Description
On December 17, 1863, P. McClanahan writes from Independence, Missouri to Capt. A. Comingo, Provost Marshal for the 6th District of Missouri. McClanahan reports that members of the 11th Kansas Volunteers are camped at Sibley, Missouri, "for the purpose of enticing Negroes from Clay Co." He therefore recommends appointing H.W. Rodewald as a recruiting officer to enlist all black men passing through the area: "I have no doubt but Rodewald would bring them all up."
Date
December 17, 1863
From John C. Gage to Dear Friends
Title
From John C. Gage to Dear Friends
Description
This letter, dated September 1, 1862, was written by John C. Gage in Kansas City, Missouri to friends in Pelham, New Hampshire. John states that Confederate forces camped nearby have retreated to Arkansas, leaving the area vulnerable to guerrilla attacks. The biggest threat comes from Jim Lane’s brigade under Jennison, which is “raising and arming negroes in Kansas to plunder good citizens in Missouri.” Of Jennison, John declares, “He ought to be killed and I would esteem it the best act of my life to do it.”
Date
September 1, 1862
From P. McClanahan to A. Comingo
Title
From P. McClanahan to A. Comingo
Description
On December 23, 1863, P. McClanahan writes from Independence, Missouri to Capt. A. Comingo in Lexington, Missouri. McClanahan discusses various financial matters and informs Comingo that William Rodewald should begin enlisting black men in the service as soon as possible: "Some five negroes passed through here last night which he would have got had he had his papers--There is a recruiting Officer here now from the State of Kansas and unless Rodewald gets his documents soon I fear it will be [too] late."
Date
December 23, 1863
From Hamilton R. Gamble to Abraham Lincoln
Title
From Hamilton R. Gamble to Abraham Lincoln
Description
On May 2, 1863, Missouri Gov. Hamilton R. Gamble writes from St. Louis to President Lincoln. Gamble informs Lincoln about "the perpetration of murders and arsons and other outrages committed by persons connected with the Army…and whose crimes you have the power to restrain." He asks Lincoln to put a stop to the "butcheries" occurring in Missouri's western counties, and suggests that Lincoln replace Gen. Curtis as commander of the district in favor of someone who is "too brave to be cruel."
Object Type
Government Document
Date
May 2, 1863
From James Montgomery to George L. Stearns
Title
From James Montgomery to George L. Stearns
Description
This letter, dated December 10, 1864, was written by James Montgomery in Mound City, Kansas, to Maj. George L. Stearns. Montgomery writes that he resigned his military position due to poor health, but then took command of 15 companies – including two companies of black militia – after the commencement of Price’s Raid. He briefly describes the Battle of Westport, and explains that Price's Raid disrupted planting season. Montgomery asks Stearns about the bounty paid to soldiers in his state, and says that he will bring a few recruits with him when he visits over the winter.
Object Type
Letter
Date
December 10, 1864
John C. Caldwell vs. Richard H. Porter
Title
John C. Caldwell vs. Richard H. Porter
Description
These documents, created between 1855 and 1857, relate to the Jackson County, Missouri court case John C. Caldwell vs. Richard H. Porter. On January 1, 1855, Caldwell purchased a slave named Eliza for $800 from slave dealer Clifton R. Barnes with plans to sell her for a profit in Louisiana. Caldwell later discovered that Eliza was “unsound both in body and mind” and accused Barnes of “fraud and wilfull misrepresentation.” Caldwell took Eliza back to Missouri but Barnes refused to rescind the sales contract.
Object Type
Legal Document
Date
1855-1857
From D.R. Anthony to Dear Father
Title
From D.R. Anthony to Dear Father
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.
Object Type
Letter
Date
December 22, 1861
From Calvin Iserman to Brother William
Title
From Calvin Iserman to Brother William
Description
In this letter of September 5, 1858, Calvin Iserman writes from Independence, Missouri to his brother William. Calvin declares that Independence is hostile to free-staters: “Most of the head men of this town, and the wealthiest, are slave holders who…hate a free-state man worse than they do the Devil.” Calvin adds that his father plans to move to Kansas Territory in the fall or spring to live “among some free state men.” The letter includes a separate note to “sister Gus,” possibly written by Calvin’s wife.
Object Type
Letter
Date
September 5, 1858
From Calvin Iserman to Brother William
Title
From Calvin Iserman to Brother William
Description
This letter, dated January 20, 1861, was sent by Calvin Iserman in Independence, Missouri, to his brother William. Calvin writes that Independence is “in favor of secession,” and predicts “there is going to be a civil war.” He fears being driven from Missouri along with other “Eastern men,” adding that those who voted for Lincoln are also under threat. Calvin describes a foiled “abolitionist” raid on a Missouri plantation (possibly Walker’s Raid of December 10, 1860), in which all the attackers were killed.
Date
January 20, 1861
Pass for Paralee Hudspeth
Title
Pass for Paralee Hudspeth
Description
This pass, issued by Headquarters, Central District Missouri and signed by E.B. Brown, permits Paralee Hudspeth “to enter the Border Counties of the State of Missouri, for the purpose of securing property abandoned while obeying General Order No. 11.” The pass, dated November 18, 1863, was issued from Jefferson City, Missouri by special order of Brigadier General Thomas L. Ewing, Jr.
Date
November 18, 1863
State vs. Thomas Brown
Title
State vs. Thomas Brown
Description
These documents, created between 1855 and 1856, relate to the Jackson County, Missouri court case State vs. Thomas Brown. Brown is accused of attempting to take four slaves out of Missouri with the intention of procuring their freedom. The slaves were caught in DeKalb County, Missouri in November 1855; a witness recounts that “Brown stated he took those Negroes for the love he had for them.” In a signed statement dated November 28, 1855, Thomas Brown pleads guilty to the charges.
Object Type
Legal Document
Date
November 25, 1855 - March 11, 1856
A Defence of Republicanism
Title
A Defence of Republicanism
Description
This address, titled "A Defense of Republicanism," was delivered by John Johnson, former mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, to the Kansas City Republican Club on September 15, 1860. In the address, Johnson attempts to dispel false beliefs about Republican principles, including the accusations that the party "will destroy your property in negroes should it come into power," and that "the Republican party is a negro stealing party." Johnson also expresses Republican support of the Lincoln-Hamlin ticket.
Object Type
Speech
From Susan A. Staples to Mary W. Mason
Title
From Susan A. Staples to Mary W. Mason
Description
On February 1, ca. 1863, Susan A. Staples writes from Independence, Missouri to Mary W. Mason. After reporting on the health of her family, Susan states that Col. Penick's command is stationed at Independence. "He deals very strict with Southerners," Susan writes, and "he has a great many female prisoners and says that he is going to [banish] every lady that has husbands in the Southern Army or with the bushwhackers." She adds that her family has been "dreadfully Jayhawked."

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