Civil War

Title: Proclamation to Discharge Kansas Volunteer Militia
Description: The lower half of this page includes a complete proclamation by Territorial Kansas Governor John W. Geary on September 11, 1856. Geary declares that the Kansas volunteer militia, originally organized to maintain order, is "no longer required, and hereby order that they be immediately discharged." This page is taken from the 1888 publication of Collections of the Kansas Historical Society, v. IV.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: September 11, 1856

Title: From Florella Brown Adair to Emma Adair
Description: This letter was written on December 14, 1860 by Florella Brown Adair in Hudson, Ohio, to her daughter Emma Adair. Florella encourages Emma to study and write to increase her knowledge, and also advises her on proper behavior: “I feel very anxious to have you very particular & circumspect in your conversation with Rockwell or any young man you may be in company, and things like familiarity or immodesty in company of the boys is always noticed & will lead to remarks or suspicions…Young ladies & married ones too cannot be to particular, in what they do or say.”
Object Type: Letter
Date: December 14, 1860

Title: Examination of James Vermillion
Description: This is James Vermillion's Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Vermillion, a 77-year-old resident of Clay County, Missouri, states that he was born in Scotland and that he remained loyal to the United States Government during the Civil War. The oath, labeled No. 108 in a bound volume, was signed by Vermillion in 1866.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: From E.B. Alexander to A. Comingo
Description: On December 11, 1863, Col. E.B. Alexander, Acting Assistant Provost Marshal General in St. Louis, writes to Capt. A. Comingo, Provost Marshal for the 6th District of Missouri, in Lexington, Missouri. Alexander instructs Comingo to remit a voucher to "for all postage or express charges paid out for recruiting service." Alexander will then return the money to Comingo.
Date: December 11, 1863

Title: From J.F. Snyder to A. Peabody
Description: This letter, dated July 21, 1858, is from J.F. Snyder to A. Peabody, Private Secretary of Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart. Snyder writes that he received his commission as District Inspector of the 6th Division, Missouri Militia, but is concerned that he has not yet received any orders from the Governor or Adjutant General. He states that when he receives word from the militia companies serving on the state line, he will meet them and perform his duties as Inspector.
Object Type: Letter
Date: July 21, 1858

Title: From Louis A. Myers to Luther M. Myers
Description: This letter, dated July 18, 1858, was written by Louis A. Myers in Philippi, Virginia to Luther M. Myers in Johnson County, Kansas. Louis expresses his agreement with Luther on the topic of the Missouri Compromise. Louis says he will write again when he returns to Weston, Missouri.
Date: July 18, 1858

Title: Missouri State Militia Regulations
Description: Major W. Dean Colman outlines general regulations for those enlisted in the Missouri State Militia. Colman comments that these regulations are "the formation of military success and which go to make a true soldier, who may be justly proud of his profession, of his Companions, and of himself;"
Date: December 25, 1861

Title: Punishment for Two Privates of the Missouri State Militia 8th Cavalry Regiment
Description: In this military document, Major Edward B. Eno orders that William H. Wyatt and Isaac Wilson, Privates of the Missouri State Militia 8th Cavalry Regiment Company "A" be punished for insubordination and intoxication, respectively. Eno orders both privates to forfiet one month's pay for these offenses.
Date: June 26, 1863

Title: Affidavit of W.F. Dyer
Description: This affidavit was sworn by W.F. Dyer on September 13, 1856 before R.R. Nelson, Justice of the Peace of Douglas County, Kansas. Dyer states that on September 8 and 9, 1856, a band of at least one hundred men robbed him of six head of mules and horses, and merchandise worth more than $4,000. Dyer indicates that the same men were assembled at Ozawkie, KS on September 13, 1856 for the purpose of raiding and burning the town.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: September 13, 1856

Title: From S.A. Routsong to Wife Ellen
Description: S.A. Routsong writes a letter to his wife, Ellen, on November 13 and 14, 1862. He describes recent travel to Iowa and assures her of his safety. He states that he has heard that William Clarke Quantrill is travelling South through Johnson and Bates counties “with the Militia hard after him of course”. He also mentions a rumor that “the New + Old Militia were fighting each other” in Jefferson City.
Date: November 13, 1862 - November 15, 1862

Title: From H.C. Wood to A. Comingo
Description: This dispatch is from U.S. Army Capt. H.C. Wood to Capt. A. Comingo, Provost Marshal of the 6th district of Missouri. Wood writes from the Provost Marshal General's Office at the War Department in Washington, D.C. on December 22, 1863. He instructs Comingo to resubmit paperwork pertaining to his Deputies and Enrolling Officers.
Date: December 22, 1863

Title: From Unknown to Dear Brother
Description: This letter, dated September 30, 1861, is from an unknown writer in Pleasant Nook, Missouri to his or her brother. Since newspaper reports are “entirely one sided,” if not “entirely false,” the letter writer endeavors to provide an account of recent Missouri politics and warfare. The writer refers to Hamilton Gamble’s appointment as governor and his subsequent call for “42 thousand volunteers;” local recruitment efforts have been unsuccessful. The writer also describes battles at Carthage and Springfield, noting that a local boy claims to have ripped General Sigel’s epaulette from his uniform during the Springfield conflict.
Date: September 30, 1861

Title: Examination of J.H. Rickards
Description: This is J.H. Rickards's Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Rickards describes himself as a 31-year-old resident of Liberty, Missouri, who was born in Ohio. He states that he served as a private for the United States Army during the Civil War. The oath, labeled No. 29 in a bound volume, was signed by Rickards in 1866.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: From Philip St. George Cooke to John W. Geary
Description: Lieut. Col. Philip St. George Cooke writes a dispatch to Kansas Gov. John W. Geary on September 23, 1856, informing him that Col. Johnston has received orders to march to the “Northern frontier.” Cooke asks Geary to relay any new information he might have.
Date: September 23, 1856

Title: Major Clark's Raid
Description: This unsigned document, ca. 1856, states that Maj. Clark and 300 men burnt down houses, robbed stores, took prisoners, and sent people down the Missouri River. The document declares that Clark “has always been a fire brand” and has left the country “in a state of turmoil.”
Object Type: Government Document

Title: From Eugenia Bronaugh to John A. Bushnell
Description: Eugenia Bronaugh writes a letter, dated January 12, 1864, to John A. Bushnell in St. Louis. She tells him that a few friends recently visited her in Hickory Grove, Missouri, and sang patriotic songs. She describes them as “devoted and faithful friends to the Government” and wishes that everyone “were so true!” She updates him about other mutual acquaintances, and expresses a wish for peace and safety.
Object Type: Letter
Date: January 12, 1864

Title: From Charles Adair to Samuel Lyle Adair
Description: This letter was written on January 16, 1861 by Charles Adair in Hudson, Ohio, to his father Samuel Lyle Adair. Charles reports on his school activities, and says that his uncle and aunt are now at the oil springs running a boarding house. He says he received a letter from his mother, Florella Brown Adair, who expects to go to Lafayette the following week.
Object Type: Letter
Date: January 16, 1861

Title: From Richard M. Hulse to Parents
Description: This letter, dated May 7, 1864, was written by Richard M. Hulse in Dallas, Missouri to his parents. Writing from the Headquarters of Company H, 2nd Calvary MSM, Richard explains that he and his men have taken and fortified the Dallas courthouse against Confederate rebels. He describes with emotion the recent death and funeral of one of his men: “as I stood by and thought of the desolation this war was making I brushed away the falling tear and left wondering whose turn next.”
Object Type: Letter
Date: May 7, 1864

Title: Application of William C. Hall
Description: This is William C. Hall’s application for compensation from the United States government for the military service of his slave, Stephen Smith. The application, dated November 13, 1866, includes an oath of allegiance to the United States, a power of attorney transfer to Isaac C. Dodge, and a statement that Hall lawfully purchased his slave. The application is signed by four witnesses and a notary public in Lafayette County, Missouri. A note in pencil on the second page indicates that the application was rejected. Attached is the November 18, 1843 bill declaring the sale of Stephen Smith to William C. Hall.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: November 18, 1843-November 13, 1866

Title: From James Mooney to Robert M. Stewart
Description: This letter was written on January 8, 1859 by Capt. James Mooney in West Point, Missouri, to Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart. Mooney reiterates what he communicated in an earlier letter: a company of 100 men has been organized in Bates County, Missouri to provide protection against “depredations” by guerrillas. Mooney provides a list of the company’s officers and requests that Stewart provide them with arms.
Date: January 8, 1859

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

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