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Title: From John Brown to Orson Day
Description: This letter, dated December 14, 1855, is from John Brown to Orson Day of White Hall, New York. Writing from his homestead in Osawatomie, Kansas, Brown tells Day that he has just returned from the "Kansas War" and that he believes Kansas Territory is now "entirely in the power of the Free State men." He announces that on the following day, Kansas residents will vote on whether to adopt the Free State Constitution. Brown also informs Day that he has secured a piece of land for him in Kansas.
Date: December 14, 1855

Title: Muster Rolls of Kansas Volunteer Regiments
Description: These muster rolls from 1861 and 1862 list the names, ranks, and enrollment dates of soldiers in companies from the 4th and 10th Kansas Volunteer Regiments. They also list the names of soldiers who deserted their regiments or were discharged, transferred, or deceased. The companies were commanded by Capt. James M. Harvey, Capt. James H. Harris, Col. William Weir, and Col. William Cloud.
Date: 1861-1862

Title: From Charles Adair to Samuel Lyle Adair, Florella Brown Adair, Emma Adair, and Ada Adair
Description: On December 10 and 13, 1862, Charles Adair writes from Rays Mill and Cane Hill, Arkansas, to his parents Florella Brown Adair and Samuel Lyle Adair, and sisters Emma and Ada Adair. Charles reports that he was involved in a “hard battle” at Boonesboro, Arkansas on November 28, and provides a brief account of the fighting. He also describes the Battle of Prairie Grove, in which his regiment fought on December 7. Charles says that they are given enough clothing and food in the army, but “I have suffered dreadfully for the want of sleep.”
Date: December 10, 1862-December 13, 1862

Title: From Edward Hoogland and John A.W. Jones to John W. Geary
Description: In this November 29, 1856 letter, Edward Hoogland and John A.W. Jones report to Kansas Gov. John W. Geary about their recent expedition to southeastern Kansas. They inform Geary that they took depositions, issued warrants, and made arrests in relation to a number of crimes, including some committed during the Pottawatomie Massacre. They also report that they found and returned a substantial amount of stolen property. Hoogland and Jones ask Geary to station U.S. troops in southeastern Kansas, suggesting that “their presence would aid in restoring confidence.”
Date: November 29, 1856

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