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From A.M. Bedford to Mary E. Bedford
Title
From A.M. Bedford to Mary E. Bedford
Description
This letter, dated August 2, 1863, is from Lieut. A.M. Bedford to his wife Mary E. Bedford in Savannah, Missouri. Bedford, imprisoned at Johnson’s Island, Ohio, tells his wife that he is looking forward to her visit, and that he plans to have a degarian artist to visit and make a portrait of them. He asks her if she received his last letter, and tells her he had enclosed 2 rings for “the little girls.”
Date
August 2, 1863
From Alex M. Bedford to Mary E. Bedford
Title
From Alex M. Bedford to Mary E. Bedford
Description
On August 2, 1864, Alex M. Bedford writes from Fort Delaware, Delaware, to his wife Mary E. Bedford in Savannah, Missouri. Alex says that although he is eager to return home on parole, he will not do so now because of troubles with the bushwhackers: “I am done on bushwhackers…it is a dishonorable warfare.” Alex asks Mary to tell Samuel Lewis that Capt. Charles D.S. Jones sends his respects, and adds that “Bohart joins me in love to you & father.”
Date
August 2, 1864
From A.M. Bedford to Mary E. Bedford
Title
From A.M. Bedford to Mary E. Bedford
Description
This letter, dated July 19, 1864, is from Lieut. Alex M. Bedford, of the 3rd Missouri Cavalry, to his wife Mary E. Bedford in Savannah, Missouri. Writing from Fort Delaware, where he is imprisoned, Bedford tells his wife that he and his friend, Lieut. James M. Bohart, are attempting to get parole. He asks his wife to find Gen. James Craig and ask for his assistance in granting Bedford parole.
Date
July 19, 1864
From Lucie Davis to John Pigg
Title
From Lucie Davis to John Pigg
Description
This letter, dated September 15, 1864, is from Lucie Davis in Clay County, Missouri to John Pigg. Davis tells Pigg that her mother died after a long illness. She also tells him that Louis Vandiver was moved from a prison in St. Joseph, Missouri to one in St. Louis. Davis predicts that “The bushwhackers are about to take this country,” and adds that they robbed the mail in Clay County and had a fight near Fredericksburg.
Date
September 15, 1864
Slave State Population Statistics
Title
Slave State Population Statistics
Description
This 1852 document lists population statistics for the slave states, including the number of whites, free blacks, slaves, farms, and proportion of slaves to farms. The document shows that Missouri’s population was comprised of 592,077 whites, 2,544 free blacks, and 87,422 slaves. The document also contains statistics on the number of free and slave families in Missouri, indicating that 26,096 families owned slaves.
Object Type
Document
Date
1852
From Alex M. Bedford to Mary E. Bedford
Title
From Alex M. Bedford to Mary E. Bedford
Description
On October 31, 1863, Alex M. Bedford writes from Johnson’s Island, near Sandusky City, Ohio, to his wife Mary E. Bedford. Alex advises Mary not to return home until she is sure it’s safe. Alex describes an agreement made with M. Jeff Thompson about paying to send longer letters, which “suits us first rate.” He recalls his experience the previous year as a wounded prisoner of war in Alabama, where he recovered at the home of a kind family who "seem like my relations."
Date
October 31, 1863
From Frederick Starr to Dear Father & All the Others
Title
From Frederick Starr to Dear Father & All the Others
Description
On November 29, 1854, Frederick Starr writes to "Dear Father & all the others.” Starr describes attending a meeting of the Platte County, Missouri Self Defensive Association “in order to clear my character.” Starr recounts that Mr. Vineyard accused him of interfering with local slave owners and teaching at a school for slaves. In his defense, Starr explains how this small school came to be established, naming each of his students and the masters who permitted them to attend. Starr notes that the school was discontinued after “there was some disturbance attempted through the papers.”
Date
November 29, 1854
From Mary E. Bedford to Alex M. Bedford
Title
From Mary E. Bedford to Alex M. Bedford
Description
On November 12, 1864, Mary E. Bedford writes from her home to her husband Alex M. Bedford, a prisoner of war at Fort Pulaski, Savannah, Georgia. Mary reports that their children are attending school in Savannah, Missouri with Mrs. Boone and are “learning very fast.” She reports the recent death of her father’s horse, Old Sal, and laments, “I cannot get another horse to work as well in the cart…I feel like I was all most broke up.” Mary tells Alex that she will send him a box of provisions and clothing when she is sure he has not been exchanged.
Object Type
Letter
Date
November 12, 1864
From A.M. Bedford to Mary E. Bedford
Title
From A.M. Bedford to Mary E. Bedford
Description
This letter, dated February 3, 1865, is from Lieut. Alex M. Bedford in Hilton Head, S.C. to his wife, Mary E. Bedford. He tells his wife that he has been taking medicine, but that his health is still poor. He informs her that he will likely be home by the middle of March, but “if I cannot live at home in peace I can go to my Brothers in nevada territory.” He asks her to send him a check so that he has enough money to travel home.
Object Type
Letter
Date
February 3, 1865
From Frederick Starr to My Dear Father
Title
From Frederick Starr to My Dear Father
Description
On February 22, 1855, Frederick Starr writes from Weston, Missouri to his father. Starr recounts a recent speech he gave regarding slavery: “I consider slavery a moral and political evil…and the only wedge of contention which threatens to disturb & divide the Union. I am a Colonizationist.” He derides anyone falsely accusing him of being an abolitionist, stating that their lies “steal not only my property, but my comfort, my friendships, my domestic quietude, my influence, respect, and good name.” Starr adds that after he gave his speech, Gen. Stringfellow incited the crowd by encouraging an armed invasion into Kansas.
Date
February 22, 1855
From Mary E. Bedford to Alex M. Bedford
Title
From Mary E. Bedford to Alex M. Bedford
Description
On July 25, 1864, Mary E. Bedford writes from her home in Andrew County, Missouri, to her husband Lt. Alex M. Bedford, Prisoner of War, 35th Division, Fort Delaware, Delaware. Mary explains that there has been much excitement in the area because of the bushwhackers: “The people anticipate great deal of trouble here, worse times than we have ever had but I hope not.” Mary also shares news of various acquaintances in the area, stating that most of the men have joined the Federal Army.
Date
July 25, 1864
From Alex M. Bedford to Mary E. Bedford
Title
From Alex M. Bedford to Mary E. Bedford
Description
On June 6, 1863, Alex M. Bedford writes from Johnson’s Island, near Sandusky City, to his wife Mary E. Bedford. Alex reports that he and Mary’s brother are in good health, and that they have been moved from Indianapolis to Johnson’s Island. Alex asks Mary to send him several items of clothing, and states that he recently sent her $60.00 to be given to Sister Mary of St. Joseph, Missouri. He explains that he is only permitted to write a one-page letter to her.
Date
June 6, 1863
From Mrs. Silliman to My Dear Brother
Title
From Mrs. Silliman to My Dear Brother
Description
This letter, dated August 24, 1862, is from Mrs. Silliman to her brother. She describes the “horror” of life in Warrensburg, Missouri, which has been invaded by both Bushwhackers and Jayhawkers, and is now “swarming with runaway slaves.” She complains about her health and says that the black girl who was caring for her was lured away to Kansas by soldiers. She also describes how her son Oscar avoided military service: “he was exempted from drafting, as not being ‘able bodied,’ caused by an internal injury.”
Date
August 24, 1862
From William Heryford Jr. to Lisbon Applegate
Title
From William Heryford Jr. to Lisbon Applegate
Description
This letter, dated March 24, 1865, is from William Heryford, Jr. to Lisbon Applegate in Keytesville, Chariton County, Missouri. Heryford states that he had contracted a black girl named Rose to work in his home for a year, but her master, Mr. Hyde, violated their contract by taking her home prematurely. Heryford requests that Applegate hire an attorney for him, and complains that “Mr. Hyde is the last man friend . . . to take advantage of me after the many favors Ive done him during this unholy war.”
Object Type
Letter
Date
March 24, 1865
From Mary E. Bedford to A.M. Bedford
Title
From Mary E. Bedford to A.M. Bedford
Description
This letter, dated January 11, 1864, is from Mary E. Bedford to her husband, Lieut. Alex M. Bedford. She expresses concern about his ailing health, and promises to send him money and provisions. She shares news of relatives, and reports that “it is peaceable hear now but the lord only knows how long it will remain so.”
Object Type
Letter
Date
January 11, 1864
Indenture of Robertson Moore and David L. Cavanagh
Title
Indenture of Robertson Moore and David L. Cavanagh
Description
This April 1864 document declares the upcoming sale of the late John C. Cavanagh’s real estate and his three slaves, Abe, Lucy, and Eliza. Robertson Moore, Sheriff of Chariton County, announces that he will auction off Cavanagh’s property outside of the courthouse in Keytesville, Missouri.
Object Type
Legal Document
Date
April 1864
From Mary E. Bedford to Alex M. Bedford
Title
From Mary E. Bedford to Alex M. Bedford
Description
On July 17, 1863, Mary E. Bedford writes from Savannah, Missouri to her husband Alex M. Bedford. Mary says that she believes Alex will be exchanged soon, and expresses hope that the war will soon come to an end. She states that she could not retrieve the horse Alex left in Clay County, Missouri, because it was taken as contraband. Mary provides an update about various friends in the area, including several who have left and some who joined the military. She adds that the price of goods is very high and that she may go to Kentucky to stay with relatives.
Date
July 17, 1863
From A.M. Bedford to Mary E. Bedford
Title
From A.M. Bedford to Mary E. Bedford
Description
This letter, dated October 12, 1864, is from Lieut. Alex M. Bedford to his wife Mary E. Bedford in Savannah, Missouri. He writes from Morris Island off the coast of Charleston, S.C., where he is imprisoned. He informs his wife that he has written to Gen. Craig and requested parole. He tells Mary, “I am very tired of prison life + want to get out if there is any honorable way.”
Date
October 12, 1864
From Mary E. Bedford to A.M. Bedford
Title
From Mary E. Bedford to A.M. Bedford
Description
This letter, dated May 1, 1864, is from Mary E. Bedford in Savannah, Missouri to her husband, Lieut. Alex M. Bedford, at the Officers Prison in Point Lookout, Maryland. Mary updates him on the health of family members and on her tenant’s upkeep of her farm. She reports that two acquaintances who joined the army the previous spring have both recently died. Missouri, she states, “is peaceable . . . and I hope it will remain so.”
Object Type
Letter
Date
May 1, 1864
From H.D. Palmer to Isaac Feback
Title
From H.D. Palmer to Isaac Feback
Description
This letter, dated December 20, 1862, was written by H.D. Palmer in Independence, Missouri, to Isaac Feback. Palmer thanks Feback for his kindness, lamenting that he has few friends left who can rise above “political prejudice” as Feback has done. Palmer says he has done everything “to keep down jayhawking & protect my Union friends,” but has been betrayed by those friends and the militia who took his livestock without proper payment. Palmer notes that the oath of allegiance is meaningless unless it offers government protection for those who take it.
Object Type
Letter
Date
December 20, 1862

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