Civil War

Title: William O. Mead's Appointment to First Sergeant
Description: By the order of Colonel Joseph J. Gravely, David Hunter informs the Missouri State Militia 8th Cavalry Regiment that William O. Mead is appointed to First Sergeant, in Company "A", of the Eighth Regiment of Cavalry, M.S.M..
Date: April 13, 1863

Title: From Abishai Stowell to "Dear Sister"
Description: On February 18, 1863, Abishai Stowell writes from camp in Springfield, Missouri, to his sister. Stowell reports that his regiment will likely leave Springfield soon, "as we have to get a new set of arms and Horses before we will be of any use in the field, but may the time soon come when we will be able to face the God forsaken Rebels once more & spread terror & confusion in their midst…the very name of the Kans 2nd is sufficient to drive a thousand of them." He adds that "it seems a pity" for so many young men to waste their time idle in camp.
Date: February 18, 1863

Title: From Daniel R. Anthony to Dear Sister
Description: Daniel R. Anthony writes a letter from Camp “Johnson” in Morristown, Missouri to his sister on December 26, 1861. He tells her that he is in command of the camp and 1500 troops while Col. Jennison is away in Mound City, Missouri. Anthony says that he and three other commanders have occupied a Secessionist soldier’s house and established it as their headquarters. He reports that he expects to stay there for about two months, and then move south.
Object Type: Letter
Date: December 26, 1861

Title: Gen. Joseph Orville Shelby (1830-1897)
Description: Painted portrait of General Joseph Orville Shelby seated in dress coat and holding a saber.
Object Type: Image

Title: From Alex M. Bedford to Mary E. Bedford
Description: On July 14, 1863, Alex M. Bedford writes from Johnson’s Island, near Sandusky City, Ohio, to his wife Mary E. Bedford. Alex writes of being troubled by Mary’s last letter, in which she “spoke of the death of my nearest & best friends[.] Why cannot the Federal authorities stop it[?]” Alex advises Mary to go to Kentucky to stay with relatives until times get better at home, although he regrets that the children must be taken out of school. He advises Mary to get a permit to visit him with the help of Robert Wilson, W.P. Hall, “or some other Union man of influence.”
Date: July 14, 1863

Title: Mr. John Harris
Description: Carte de visite portrait of Sergeant John Harris, member of the 10th United States Cavalry Regiment. The 10th Cavalry and other black regiments (including the 9th Cavalry, the 24th Infantry, and the 25th Infantry) acquired the nickname of "Buffalo Soldiers" as a result of their exploits during the Indian Wars.
Object Type: Image

Title: Examination of D.I. Worthington
Description: This is D.I. Worthington's 1866 Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Worthington, a 22-year-old Ohio native, states that he has resided in Missouri for one year and was never required to give bond. The oath is No. 197 in a bound volume.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: Examination of Jacob Weyler
Description: This is Jacob Weyler's Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Weyler, a 51-year-old resident of Clay County, Missouri, states that he was born in Bavaria, has lived in Missouri for 13 years, and remained loyal to the United States Government during the Civil War. The oath, labeled No. 25 in a bound volume, was signed by Weyler in 1866.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: Examination of James Leach
Description: This is James Leach's 1866 Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Leach, a 38-year-old Virginia native, states that he has lived in Missouri for 12 years, and was enrolled by the military authorities as "loyal" in 1862. The oath is No. 238 in a bound volume.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: Memorandum of Articles Taken From Col. Eldridge's Company
Description: This document, signed by Lieut. Col. Philip St. George Cooke on October 10, 1856, is a memorandum of articles taken from Col. Eldridge’s Company. Cooke claims that 120 packages were opened, and that a large number of new saddles were stolen.
Date: October 10, 1856

Title: Examination of Lawrence Zucker
Description: This is Lawrence Zucker's 1866 Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Zucker, a 36-year-old European native, states that he has lived in Missouri for 11 years and served in the militia during the war. The oath is No. 202 in a bound volume.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: From Joseph H. Trego to Alice Trego
Description: This letter, dated November 7, 1863, is from Lieut. Joseph H. Trego of the 5th Kansas Cavalry Regiment to his wife Alice. He tells her that he recently left Fort Scott, Kansas and travelled to Maysville, Arkansas. He adds that he will be marching to Fort Smith soon and does not expect to run into any danger. He also mentions that Capt. Haskell has been relieved of his duties and is leaving the regiment.
Object Type: Letter
Date: November 7, 1863

Title: From E.F. Slaughter to Eliza Colgan
Description: On December 11, 1864, E.F. Slaughter writes from Hickmans Mill, Jackson County, Missouri, to Mrs. Eliza Colgan. Slaughter, a member of the local home guards, states that he was captured by "Prices men Shelby's division. We were taken to their camp and next morning paroled. We all started home…directly after we started the battle commenced." He says that both the Confederate and Union wounded were taken to Kansas City, "which shows that our armies are merciful as well as brave." He adds that guerrillas are becoming more active in the area since the soldiers have left.
Date: December 11, 1864

Title: Circular No. 21
Description: This document, entitled Circular No. 21, is dated April 18, 1865 and is signed by Col. E.B. Alexander in St. Louis. Since drafting and recruiting have been discontinued, the Circular instructs Provost Marshals to "make every effort" to reduce their office expenses by terminating rental agreements, discharging unnecessary employees, and eliminating business contracts.
Date: April 18, 1865

Title: Leander Harrison
Description: This carte de visite depicts Leander Harrison, who served in Company A, Fifth Kansas Volunteer Cavalry. The photograph was produced ca. 1861-1865.
Object Type: Image

Title: Examination of William H. Corbin
Description: This is William H. Corbin's 1866 Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Corbin, a 21-year-old Virginia native, states that he has resided in Missouri for 14 years and manifested his loyalty during the war "by obeying the laws and staying at home and behaving myself." The oath is No. 213 in a bound volume.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: Map of the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad
Description: Map of the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad, which was chartered in 1847 and completed in 1859. Map depicts northern Missouri and parts of Kansas and Illinois, showing rivers, settlements, railroads, and the land grant awarded to the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad.
Object Type: Map, Image

Title: Examination of John Chrisman
Description: This is John Chrisman's Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Chrisman, a 40-year-old resident of Liberty, Missouri, states that he remained loyal to the United States Government during the Civil War. The oath, labeled No. 38 in a bound volume, was signed by Chrisman in 1866.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: From E.B. Alexander to A. Comingo
Description: This letter, dated October 20, 1863, is from Col. E.B. Alexander, Acting Assistant Provost Marshal General of Missouri, to Capt. A. Comingo, Provost Marshal of the 6th district of Missouri. Alexander informs Comingo that the reward for the arrest of military deserters has changed according to recent orders from the War Department.
Date: October 20, 1863

Title: From Daniel R. Anthony to Father
Description: This letter, dated June 10, 1857, was written by Daniel R. Anthony in Leavenworth, Kansas, to his father. Anthony has just arrived in Leavenworth, calling it “the most enterprising city in all Kansas.” Anthony states that land prices are very high but will likely decline during the winter until emigration begins again in the spring. He predicts that insurance will be a "good business" in Leavenworth and discusses various investment options. Anthony reports that he saw Gov. Harney, Sheriff Jones, and Judge Lecompte, who is presiding over the murder trial of Charles Fugett.
Date: June 10, 1857

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

Error message

In collections

Pages

Pages

Object Type

Local Subject

People

Geographic Subject

Owning Organization