Civil War

Title: Pacific House Hotel
Description: Full frontal and side view of the Pacific House Hotel; located on southeast corner of 4th and Delaware. In 1863, it became the District of the Border headquarters, which was then under command of Brigadier General Thomas Ewing Jr..
Object Type: Image
Date: 1869

Title: From William M. McPherson to George R. Smith
Description: On October 20, 1856, William M. McPherson writes from London to Gen. George R. Smith in Georgetown, Missouri. McPherson reports that his railroad securities business in London has been negatively affected by "the Kansas question and the exaggerated stories…about Missourians in Kansas going there to vote and control the elections[,] stopping emigrants…and driving out settlers." He adds that he hopes to buy 4,000 tons of iron for the railroad near Jefferson City before leaving London.
Date: October 20, 1856

Title: Battle field of Lexington
Description: Battle field of Lexington, Mo., showing plan of earthwork defended by Federal and State troops under command of Col. James A. Mulligan, U.S.A. during the 18th, 19th and 20th Sept. 1861. Surrendered to Genl. Sterling Price, C.S.A., Sept. 20th 1861. This map Shows fortifications, troop positions, vegetation, drainage, streets, and relief by hachures and spot heights. Important sites are listed in the legend and keyed to the map by letters.
Date: 1870-1879

Title: From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description: John A. Bushnell writes a letter from St. Louis to Eugenia Bronaugh of Hickory Grove, Missouri. In the letter, dated December 14, 1863, Bushnell says that he would like to return to Henry County, but is concerned about his safety. He also tells her that he feels it is his duty to take care of his recently freed slaves, and says that he wants to rent a house for them and help them to “see what freedom is.”
Object Type: Letter
Date: December 14, 1863

Title: Examination of Thomas R. Donaldson
Description: This is Thomas R. Donaldson's 1866 Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Donaldson, a 32-year-old Kentucky native, states that he has resided in Missouri for 30 years and served in the militia during the war. The oath is No. 159 in a bound volume.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: From E.B. Alexander to A. Comingo
Description: On December 9, 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. Alexander informs Comingo that he may authorize Recruiting Agents to make enlistments in accordance with the instructions outlined in Circular 96. He adds that Comingo may employ additional surgeons if necessary, but "no more Horses will be mustered."
Date: December 9, 1863

Title: Missouri State Militia Special Order No. 267
Description: By order of Brigadier General John B. Sanborn, Walter D. Hubbard instructs Captain John W. Rabb to arrest and detain Corporal East in Springfield, Missouri for desertion.
Date: December 16, 1863

Title: From John Young to William Fowler
Description: This letter, dated March 2, 1864, is from John Young to Capt. William Fowler, Provost Marshal of the 7th district of Missouri. Young, an Enrolling Officer in Albany, Missouri, informs Fowler that he received a printed list of enlisted volunteers that includes duplicates of some men's names. He states that he is bringing this to Fowler's attention "for fear of subjecting them to a second ordeal in the draft."
Date: March 2, 1864

Title: Examination of Samuel H. Thompson
Description: This is Samuel H. Thompson's Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Thompson, a 27-year-old resident of Clay County, Missouri, states that he served in the militia during the Civil War, and admits that, "I had friends on both sides which I sympathized with." The oath, labeled No. 54 in a bound volume, was signed by Thompson in 1866.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: Quarterly Return of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores, 1863
Description: This military document is a return of ordnance and ordnance stores for Company "A" 8th Cavalry Regiment Missouri State Militia under command of Captain James J. Akard for the second quarter of 1863.
Date: 1863

Title: Emancipation Proclamation. Proclamation by the Governor
Description: Commemorative print celebrating the emancipation of Missouri slaves by ordinance of Governor Thomas C. Fletcher on January 11, 1865.
Object Type: Image

Title: Examination of Benjamin F. Fillery
Description: This is Benjamin F. Fillery's 1866 Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Fillery, a 34-year-old Missouri native, states that he resides in Liberty, Missouri, and was enrolled by the military authorities as "loyal" in 1862. The oath is No. 145 in a bound volume.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description: John A. Bushnell of Calhoun, Missouri writes a letter to Eugenia Bronaugh on May 11, 14, and 25, 1864. He ponders the idea that the Civil War is a punishment from God. He relates rumors that a raid is coming from the South, that there are Bushwhackers in Bates and Henry Counties, and that John Marmaduke and Sterling Price are leading 90,000 troops into Missouri. He questions the validity of these rumors, but warns Eugenia to be careful in case there are Bushwhackers nearby.
Date: May 11, 1864-May 25, 1864

Title: Receipt of Clothing for Military Duty, 1864
Description: This military document shows that "the Non-commissioned Officers, Musicians and Privates... acknowledge to have received of Capt. James J. Akard the several articles of clothing" that are listed along with the names and signatures of those enrolled in the Missouri State Militia 8th Cavalry Regiment Company "A".
Date: 1864

Title: Appraisal of Men's Horses from Company "A" 8th Cavalry Regiment Missouri State Militia
Description: This military document lists the names of enlisted men belonging to Company "A" Eighth Regiment Missouri State Militia Cavalry, whose horses have been inspected, appraised and branded by J.F. Barstow, Inspector acting under orders of Col. William Meyers, Chief Quartermaster, St. Louis Mo.
Date: 1861-1865

Title: From S.H. Holmes to A. Comingo
Description: This letter, dated December 19, 1863, is from S.H. Holmes in Liberty, Missouri to Capt. A. Comingo, Provost Marshal of the 6th district of Missouri. Holmes requests the authority to remove from conscription rolls the names of anyone physically unsuitable for military service.
Date: December 19, 1863

Title: From Calvin Iserman to Brother William
Description: This letter, dated January 20, 1861, was sent by Calvin Iserman in Independence, Missouri, to his brother William. Calvin writes that Independence is “in favor of secession,” and predicts “there is going to be a civil war.” He fears being driven from Missouri along with other “Eastern men,” adding that those who voted for Lincoln are also under threat. Calvin describes a foiled “abolitionist” raid on a Missouri plantation (possibly Walker’s Raid of December 10, 1860), in which all the attackers were killed.
Date: January 20, 1861

Title: Franz Sigel
Description: Portrait of Maj. Gen. Franz Sigel, officer of the Federal Army.
Object Type: Image
Date: 1861 - 1865

Title: Petition for a Provision Train to Leavenworth
Description: This petition, dated September 18, 1856, requests that Kansas Gov. John W. Geary send a provision train to Leavenworth. It states: “Hundreds of our citizens are suffering – almost starving for supplies that could be easily obtained by your aid in three days. It seems impossible to wait until next week, and we hope you will give our case your earliest possible attention.” The petition is signed by ten citizens of Leavenworth, Kansas.
Object Type: Petition
Date: September 18, 1856

Title: Thomas Coleman (Cole) Younger
Description: Charcoal portrait of Cole Younger dressed in suit coat, vest, shirt, and tie. Cole Younger was active in several Civil War battles and a member of Quantrill's guerrillas when they raided Lawrence, Kansas, August 21, 1863, and was part of the Baxter Springs massacre, October 6, 1863. After the war, he joined with Frank and Jesse James in several robberies. After the Northfield, Minnesota, bank robbery on September 7, 1876, he was arrested and sent to prison at Stillwater, Minnesota. He was granted a full pardon in 1903. He died March 21, 1916, at Lee's Summit, Missouri, and is buried in the Lee's Summit Cemetery.
Object Type: Image

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

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