Search results

Title: From Edward Fitch to Dear Parents
Description: Edward Fitch of Lawrence, Kansas writes a letter on August 25, 1856 to his parents, who live in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Edward argues that Hopkinton, his hometown, should pay him for his contributions to the Free State cause in Kansas. He adds that a lot of his neighbors also need financial help and don’t have enough food or clothing. He writes that he recently attended the funeral of Captain Shombre, who was fatally wounded at the Battle of Fort Titus, and mentions that Major David S. Hoyt was killed the same week in an attack at Washington Creek.
Object Type: Letter
Date: August 25, 1856

Title: Kansas Colored Volunteers Correspondence
Description: This bound letterbook contains copies of letters exchanged between the Adjutant General’s Office in Fort Scott, Kansas and various correspondents including the War Department in Washington. The letters relate to the recruitment and commission of troops and officers for the Kansas Colored Volunteers. Participants in the correspondence include Major General James G. Blunt, Major General J.M. Schofield, Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, and Kansas Governor Thomas Carney.
Date: 1863-1864

Title: From Samuel R. Ayres to Lyman Langdon
Description: In this letter, dated November 15, 1861, Samuel R. Ayres tells Lyman Langdon that he recently travelled to Kansas City, Missouri on an expedition to escort a provision train, but the train was captured by Secessionists. Ayres tells Langdon that there are a lot of Secessionists in Clay County, Missouri, and he suspects that they will try to take possession of Kansas City. He also mentions a rumor that Gen. Lane is in danger, as his regiment is vastly outnumbered by the enemy, but he plans to unite his forces with those of Col. Jennison.
Date: November 15, 1861

Title: From W.E. Prince to James Henry Lane
Description: This dispatch, dated September 23, 1861, is from Capt. W.E. Prince at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas to Gen. James Henry Lane. Prince reports that the Union forces surrendered to the Missouri State Guard at the First Battle of Lexington on September 20. He also states that Gen. Sturgis expects Lane and his troops to report to Kansas City.
Date: September 23, 1861

Title: Report on Price's Raid
Description: James Henry Lane wrote this report ca. October 1864 about his role in the campaign against Price's Raid. Lane states that he accompanied Gen. Blunt, Col. Moonlight, Col. Jennison, and Gen. Curtis on an expedition into Missouri to impede Sterling Price and his forces. Lane describes the Second Battle of Lexington, the Second Battle of Independence, the Battle of Byram's Ford, the Battle of Westport, and the Battle of Little Blue River.

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