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Title: From A.J. Sexton to Catherine
Description: This letter was written on April 29, 1862, by A.J. Sexton in camp at Fort Riley, Kansas, to his wife Catherine. A.J. writes of his plans to send Catherine $20.00 after he is paid on May 1st. He reports that the health of his regiment is good, and he believes they will be sent next to Mexico. A.J. refers to the Battle of Shiloh, and writes with regret about the death of Wisconsin Gov. Harvey shortly after the battle.
Date: April 29, 1862

Title: From Abishai Stowell to "Dear Sister"
Description: On May 19, 1862, Abishai Stowell writes from Fort Riley, Kansas, to his sister. Stowell reports that the entire New Mexico Brigade, except his own regiment, was ordered back to Leavenworth, Kansas. He says that Co. A and D of his regiment will soon move to Fort Union in New Mexico to guard a train, while the rest of the regiment will continue to guard Fort Riley. Stowell states that it is unlikely he will visit home again before he is discharged because he will be so far away.
Object Type: Letter
Date: May 19, 1862

Title: From A.J. Sexton to Catherine
Description: This letter was written on March 18 and 19, 1862, by A.J. Sexton in camp at Fort Scott, Kansas, to his wife Catherine. He describes the area around Fort Scott as “good farming country,” though thinly settled. A.J. asserts that his company is the largest and best drilled in camp, noting that his regiment “is favored with good health” in comparison to the Kansas regiments, who “have buried from one to four a day.” Part of the letter is written on the back of a printed roster for the 12th Wisconsin Volunteers, which lists A.J. as a private in Co. E.
Date: March 18, 1862-March 19, 1862

Title: From William Nelson to Kate Newland
Description: William Nelson, a Union soldier, writes a letter from Fort Riley, Kansas to Kate Newland on June 1, 1862. Nelson regrets that his regiment is stationed in Kansas, and admits that “My career as a soldier certainly does not seem destined to be a brilliant one.” He writes that he would prefer to serve in the South, despite rumors of rampant illness there, because he feels that his place is “where the danger is most threatening.”
Object Type: Letter
Date: June 1, 1862

Title: From Abishai Stowell to "Distant But Not Forgotten Sister"
Description: On February 4, ca. 1862-1865, Abishai Stowell writes from Leavenworth, Kansas to his "Distant but not Forgotten Sister." Stowell reports that regiments from Kansas and Wisconsin have arrived in Leavenworth, "and there are more coming in every day." He expects that his own mounted rifle regiment will move south very soon. Stowell says he plans to send a daguerreotype of himself "if we get paid before we leave here."
Object Type: Letter

Title: From A.J. Sexton to Catherine
Description: This letter was written on April 6, 1862, by A.J. Sexton to his wife Catherine. A.J. states that his regiment is camped near Lawrence, Kansas and may go next to New Mexico. He writes about the health of the men in his regiment, mentioning several illnesses and deaths. A.J. says that he received two months’ pay the previous week, and plans to send $15.00 to Catherine by express. He asks Catherine if she has received any money from the state, and wants to know “how you get along for money.”
Date: April 6, 1862

Title: From Leigh R. Webber to "Senorita Morena"
Description: This letter, dated April 30, 1862, is from Leigh R. Webber in "Camp of the Kansas First" to "Senorita Morena" (Miss Brown). Webber says his regiment is comfortably situated, and declares, "Fort Riley is not to be slurred at. It beats Fort Leavenworth all hollow, and Fort Scott is nowhere beside it." He reports that "We had a general inspection on Monday, and were mustered this forenoon," and adds that the soldiers will soon receive new equipment and arms.
Object Type: Letter
Date: April 30, 1862

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