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From Edward Fitch to Dear Parents
Title
From Edward Fitch to Dear Parents
Description
In this August 10, 1856 letter to his parents in Massachusetts, Edward Fitch reports a rumor that Border Ruffians plan to attack Lawrence, Kansas. He says he has been gathering firearms in preparation, but worries that “this may be the last letter” he ever writes. He also tells them about the Battle of Franklin and relates a rumor that Colonel Lane was there.
Date
August 10, 1856
Battle of Osawatomie
Title
Battle of Osawatomie
Description
In this excerpt of a ca. 1856-1861 document, Orville Chester Brown describes the August 30, 1856 Battle of Osawatomie. In the middle of the night, Brown states, John Reid led his men towards Osawatomie. At dawn they marched into the town armed with bayonets, and the men of the town “flew to arms – whilst the women in their night clothes bearing their children in their arms fled to the woods.” Brown's house was burned down in the battle and his son was taken prisoner.
Object Type
Document
The Osawatomie Battlefield
Title
The Osawatomie Battlefield
Description
Osawatomie Battlefield courtesy of Oswald Garrison Villard's John Brown 1800-1859: A Biography Fifty Years After. On August 30, 1856, Abolitionist John Brown and 40 other Free-Staters unsuccessfully defended the town of Osawatomie, Kansas against 250-300 border ruffians under John W. Reid. The Free-Staters were routed, Osawatomie was burned, and one of Brown's sons was killed, but Brown escaped with his life and earned the nickname "Osawatomie Brown" for his spirited defense.
Object Type
Image
Date
n.d.
From Florella Brown Adair to Samuel Lyle Adair
Title
From Florella Brown Adair to Samuel Lyle Adair
Description
This letter was written on December 21 and 22, 1862 by Florella Brown Adair in Osawatomie, Kansas, to her husband Samuel Lyle Adair. Florella writes that she has heard various reports concerning their son Charles in the army, and says that although none of them can be trusted, “I cannot help being affected by them especially if I do not know they are not true.” Florella also discusses household matters such as taxes and her plans concerning a cow and calf she loaned to a neighbor.
Date
December 21, 1862-December 22, 1862
From Emma Adair to Samuel Lyle Adair
Title
From Emma Adair to Samuel Lyle Adair
Description
This letter was written on December 1, 1862 by Emma Adair in Osawatomie, Kansas, to her father Samuel Lyle Adair. Emma writes that school will begin the next day, and that she will try to attend. She went to “singing school” Saturday night and hopes to go again. She asks her father if he took his copy of “Butler’s analogy” with him, because they have searched for it and cannot find it in the house.
Object Type
Letter
Date
December 1, 1862
From Florella Brown Adair and Ada Adair to Samuel Lyle Adair
Title
From Florella Brown Adair and Ada Adair to Samuel Lyle Adair
Description
This undated letter, ca. December 1862, was presumably written by Florella Brown Adair and Ada Adair to Samuel Lyle Adair. Florella writes that some local women have formed a benevolent society to raise funds for “buying land or fencing in ground for a general burying ground for the place.” Florella has attended only one of the society’s meetings and is not sure if she will attend their Christmas fundraising event. On the last page of the letter, Florella transcribes a message from her young daughter Ada to “Dear PaPa.”