Civil War

Title: From William Murphy to John W. Geary
Description: William Murphy, mayor of Leavenworth, Kansas, writes a letter to Gov. John W. Geary on October 11, 1856. In response to Geary’s inquiry about the death of Addison Rogers, Murphy states that Rogers was not killed in a political skirmish, but was shot by a fellow gambler. Murphy also informs Geary that U.S. Marshal Israel Donalson took M.J. Mitchell into custody and will bring him to Lecompton to stand trial before Judge Samuel Lecompte.
Date: October 11, 1856

Title: Fort Davidson
Description: Modern view of Fort Davidson, where Gen. Thomas Ewing battled with Sterling Price and his Army of Missouri. The crater is still visible on the right side of the photograph, and Pilot Knob can be seen in the background.
Date: September 30, 2006

Title: War in Kansas!
Description: This 1856 broadside announces the commencement of civil war in Kansas. It urges the citizens of Lafayette County, Missouri to gather with their guns and horses in Lexington on August 20, and "put an end to Abolitionism in Kansas." The broadside, signed by twelve men, reports that John Brown, James Henry Lane, and their forces have launched several guerrilla attacks upon Kansas residents, and are now "advancing upon us--the next breath from Kansas may bring to our ears the death shrieks of our Fathers, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, neighbors and friends."
Object Type: Broadside
Date: August 1856

Title: George (Bud) Wigginton
Description: Charcoal portrait of George (Bud) Wigginton dressed in suit coat, vest, shirt, and tie. George, along with his cousin John McCorkle, joined Quantrill in August of 1862. He fought at Independence, August 11, 1862. He went to Kentucky with Quantrill and fought at Worthville. "John McCorkle and his cousin George Wigginton attached themselves to a regular Confederate command and surrendered to ensure that they received honorable terms" (Pettersen, Paul R. "Quantrill of Missouri." Nashville, TN: Cumberland House, 2003, pp. 409-410 [MVSC 973,742 Q12ZP].) After the war, Wigginton lived in Lee's Summit. He received the Southern Cross of Honor from Independence Chapter, U.D.C. in 1913. He died at Boulder, Colorado, on August 21, 1918, and was buried in Lee's Summit cemetery.
Object Type: Image

Title: From A.J. Huntoon to Lizzie P. Huntoon
Description: This letter, dated January 27-28, 1861, was written by A.J. Huntoon at Johnson House in Lawrence, Kansas, to Lizzie Huntoon. Huntoon reports that he has reached Lawrence from Williamsport, Kansas, after a delay due to severe winter weather. He describes activity in the Kansas Legislature and says that everyone is eager for news of Kansas’ application for statehood; he believes “we will not get to be a state this session.”
Date: January 27, 1861-January 28, 1861

Title: From Dewitt C. Hunter to J.F. Snyder
Description: This letter, dated January 21, 1861, is from Dewitt C. Hunter in Nevada, Missouri to Col. J.F. Snyder. Hunter describes himself as a "secessionist in favor of separate state action and immediate secession." He believes that Missouri is in danger of invasion from Kansas, and he urges Snyder to organize a regiment, procure arms, and prepare to defend the border.
Object Type: Letter
Date: January 21, 1861

Title: From John B. Gray to William Fowler
Description: On September 2, 1863, John B. Gray, Adj. Gen. of Missouri, writes from St. Louis to Capt. William Fowler, Provost Marshal for the 7th District of Missouri, in St. Joseph, Missouri. Gray provides a list of regiments that were entirely or partially raised in the 7th District. Gray adds that he is compiling a list of the number of men who have volunteered for the service from each district and county in Missouri.
Date: September 2, 1863

Title: Examination of Willis S. Hymer
Description: This is Willis S. Hymer's Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Hymer, a 45-year-old resident of Clay County, Missouri, states that he was born in Kentucky and that he demonstrated his loyalty to the United States Government during the Civil War by "sympathizing with the govt. and serving in the militia." The oath, labeled No. 68 in a bound volume, was signed by Hymer in 1866.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: From E.B. Alexander to A. Comingo
Description: On December 15, 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 sends Comingo the text of a telegram he received that day from Provost Marshal General James B. Fry: "Enlisted men on detailed service as recruiting parties are entitled to the premium of fifteen (15) and twenty five (25) Dollars as referred to." Alexander instructs Comingo to inform the appropriate persons in his district.
Date: December 15, 1863

Title: From Edward Fitch to Dear Mother
Description: Edward Fitch of Lawrence, Kansas writes a letter to his mother in Massachusetts on June 15, 1856. He voices disappointment with James Buchanan and predicts that if John C. Fremont is not elected president, Kansas will be admitted to the Union as a slave state. Yet he expresses optimism that “the death knell of slavery has been tolled.” He reports that Colonel Sumner has been gathering troops in Palmyra, Kansas, and he predicts that violence will ensue. He adds that in Lawrence, a number of Free State men have been robbed, and that “Men are being found dead more or less every little while.”
Date: June 15, 1856

Title: Colonel McClurg Orders the Missouri State Militia 8th Cavalry Regiment to Shape Up
Description: By order of Colonel J. W. McClurg, 1st Lt. David Hunter writes that, "the Colonel Commanding trusts that this will be the last time... to insist upon the orders contained therein being strictly obeyed." These orders include commanding officers being properly uniformed, weekly inspection of equipment, and commanding officers not eating rations issued to the privates. Hunter warns that any offending officer will be sent before a General Court Martial.
Date: July 13, 1862

Title: From M. W. Johnson to James J. Akard
Description: In this military correspondence, Missouri State Militia 8th Cavalry Regiment Lt. M. W. Johnson instructs Lt. James J. Akard on how subsistence for his company should be procured and documented.
Date: June 15, 1862

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

Title: Soldiers Enlisted in Ray County, Missouri
Description: This military roll lists the names of slaves enlisted in the 7th sub-district of the 6th congressional district of Missouri. They were recruited in January 1864 in Ray County. The document includes the names of the slaves' owners, the dates of their enlistment, and the names of the military personnel who enlisted them. The list is dated March 30, 1864 and is signed by G.N. Black, Recruiting Agent.
Date: March 30, 1864

Title: Claiborne Fox Jackson
Description: Illustration of Claiborne Fox Jackson, former Missouri Governor.
Object Type: Image
Date: n.d.

Title: Jacob Ruppelins
Description: This sepia carte de visite depicts Jacob Ruppelins, who served in Company D, Seventh Kansas Volunteer Cavalry. The photograph was produced by Tuttle's Fine Art Gallery of Olathe, Kansas ca. 1870.
Object Type: Image

Title: From D.M. Frost to Robert M. Stewart
Description: This dispatch, dated November 27, 1860, is from Brig. Gen. D.M. Frost to Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart. Frost states that he has just arrived in Smithton, Pettis County, Missouri, and is preparing for an expedition. He also tells Stewart that James Montgomery and his band of guerrillas invaded Missouri, captured a citizen, and hanged him in Kansas. He adds that some people have left the area out of fear for their lives.
Date: November 27, 1860

Title: Missouri Confederates Thomas H. Brown, William A. Brown, and Abe Brown
Description: Photograph of Missouri Confederate soldiers Thomas H. Brown, William A. Brown, and Abe Brown posing with their weapons. All three men served under Colonel Upton Hays at the Battle of Lone Jack.
Object Type: Image
Date: n.d.

Title: Camp Saunders, Kansas Territory
Description: Photograph of proslavery stronghold, Camp Saunders, located 12 miles southwest of Lawrence, Kansas Territory, 1856. Camp (Fort) Saunders, one of three proslavery "forts" in Douglas County, Kansas, came under attack from Free-Staters, led by James H. Lane and angered at the Sacking of Lawrence and the murder of Major S. D. Hoyt, who had traveled to Fort Saunders to request an end to hostilities. The proslavery men at Fort Saunders (which was really no more than a sturdy log cabin), surrendered before any fighting began. The building was burned to the ground, and the Free-Staters turned their attention to Fort Titus.
Object Type: Image
Date: 1856

Title: General Orders, No. 42
Description: Brig. Gen. James Totten and Maj. Lucien J. Barnes of the Missouri State Militia issued General Order No. 42 on September 18, 1862 in Springfield, Missouri. The order cites instructions from C.W. Marsh at the Headquarters of the District of Missouri in St. Louis. Marsh requests that Totten furnish a list of officers who have not complied with Order No. 11.
Date: September 18, 1862

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

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