Civil War

Title: Another Abolition Outrage
Description: The St. Louis Daily Bulletin printed this article on December 11, 1860, announcing that a party of abolitionists tried to steal forty slaves from Morgan Walker in Independence, Missouri. J.H. McMurray, author of the article, writes: "Walker told them to take the negroes, and commenced shooting. One of the gang fell dead on the steps; one was taken prisoner, and the messenger thought two others were killed."
Object Type: Newspaper Article
Date: December 11, 1860

Title: Slave Bill of Sale
Description: This slave bill of sale, dated 1861, was drafted in Marion County, Missouri by Cleopatra Frazier. Frazier attests that she sold a female slave named Margaret and her daughter named Mary Jane to Isaac R. Campbell. Campbell paid $300 for both of the slaves.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: 1861

Title: Correspondence of the Kansas Territory Executive Department
Description: These documents, dated between 1855 and 1856, relate to the organization and administration of the Kansas Territorial Militia, Southern Division. The documents address officer appointments, military commissions, arms requisitions, and company requests to be mustered out of service. Included among the correspondence are several letters written by Capt. John Donaldson, Company A, 2nd Regiment Infantry, to Gov. Geary regarding criminal charges brought against him.
Date: 1855-1856

Title: Union Refugees from Western Missouri Coming into St. Louis
Description: This image, entitled "Union Refugees from Western Missouri Coming into St. Louis," appeared on the cover of the December 28, 1861 issue of Harper's Weekly.
Object Type: Image
Date: December 28, 1861

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

Title: Members of the Missouri State Guard
Description: Photograph of two members of the Missouri State Guard taken in May, 1861.
Object Type: Image
Date: May, 1861

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

Title: From John P. Scott to A. Comingo
Description: On December 13, 1863, John P. Scott writes from St. Louis to Capt. A. Comingo, Provost Marshal for the 6th District of Missouri, in Lexington, Missouri. Scott says he heard a rumor "that I am enrolled in Saline County under the conscription act," when he has actually fled the county out of fear for his personal safety. He asks Comingo to transfer his enrollment to St. Louis, and explains that he is part of the second class draft, "being forty four and a half years old."
Date: December 13, 1863

Title: Election of A.J. Huntoon
Description: This certificate declares A.J. Huntoon’s election to First Lieutenant of a volunteer company of Cavalry of the Kansas State Militia. It is dated August 25, 1863 and is signed by Kansas Gov. Thomas Carney and Secretary of State W.W.H. Lawrence in Topeka.
Date: August 25, 1863

Title: From John Stillman Brown to William Brown
Description: On February 14, 1858, John Stillman Brown writes a letter from Lawrence, Kansas to his son William. Brown criticizes the Lecompton Constitution and declares that "Our politics, like the weather, are some what squally." He predicts an influx of immigrants to Kansas, and states his belief that "Kansas is sure to be Free. In two years there will not be a slave in Kansas."
Date: February 14, 1858

Title: From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description: This letter, dated August 3, 4, and 6, 1862, is from John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh. Bushnell states that two Missouri Militia companies came into his town and ordered every citizen over the age of fifteen to join arms. They also ordered women “not to give any encouragement to Southern men or Companies, not to waive a Handkerchief, not to talk or give advice to the enemy.” Bushnell also mentions an order issued in a recent newspaper for Southern sympathizers to stay at home and surrender their arms.
Object Type: Letter
Date: August 3, 1862-August 6, 1862

Title: From Lizzie P. Huntoon to A.J. Huntoon
Description: On July 28 and 29, 1861, Lizzie P. Huntoon writes from Walpole, New Hampshire to her husband A.J. Huntoon. On July 28, Lizzie begs A.J. not to join the army, urging him to hire someone to go in his place even “if it takes all we have.” After receiving a letter from A.J. on July 29, in which he states he has joined the army, she writes of her “hard feelings” toward him for this action.
Object Type: Letter
Date: July 28, 1861-July 29, 1861

Title: From M. Jeff Thompson to Robert M. Stewart
Description: On November 27, 1860, Col. M. Jeff Thompson writes a dispatch from the Headquarters of the 4th Military District in St. Joseph, Missouri to Missouri Gov. R.M Stewart. Thompson suggests that Stewart send troops to guard the Missouri River to prevent the escape of guerrilla attackers and prevent further invasions. Thompson also states that Major F.W. Smith has 200 troops ready for orders.
Date: November 27, 1860

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

Title: Confederate Battle Flag
Description: Confederate battle flag from the Battle of Gettysburg fought in July, 1863. The Confederate battle flag, featuring a variation of the cross of St. Andrew, replaced the "Stars and Bars" Confederate national flag on the battlefield to distinguish Confederate armies from Union armies flying the "Stars and Stripes" during the confusion and chaos of battle.
Object Type: Image
Date: 1861

Title: From Sara Robinson to My Dear Sister
Description: This letter is from Sara Robinson, the wife of Kansas Gov. Charles Robinson, to her sister. Robinson, writing from Lawrence, Kansas on January 5, 1858, tells her sister that an election was held yesterday for the Lecompton Constitution. She states that Charles opposed the constitution and that voting against it was the only option that "promised victory to the Free State men." She also mentions that he has been attending sessions of the Topeka Legislature.
Date: January 5, 1858

Title: Examination of Carter Dale
Description: This is Carter Dale's Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Dale describes himself as a 45-year-old resident of Clay County, Missouri who was born in Kentucky. He states that he demonstrated his loyalty to the United States Government during the Civil War by "staying at home and giving everything to them they called for." The oath, labeled No. 107 in a bound volume, was signed by Dale on October 6, 1866.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: October 6, 1866

Title: From T.W. Trego to Dear Sister Alice
Description: This letter, dated October 18, 1862, is from T.W. Trego in Chicago to his sister-in-law Alice in Kansas. He tells her that he has recently heard from Alice’s husband Joseph, a lieutenant in the 5th Kansas Cavalry Regiment, and that he is camped in Helena, Arkansas. He speculates that Joseph’s regiment “must feel very uneasy down there in their inactivity while so many brilliant victories are being won elsewhere.” He expresses hope that Alice is not in danger of guerrilla attacks from the “Missouri ruffians.”
Date: October 18, 1862

Title: From James M. Boyer to A. Comingo
Description: This letter, dated November 22, 1863, is from James M. Boyer, Deputy Provost Marshal of Chariton County, Missouri, to Capt. A. Comingo, Provost Marshal of the 6th district of Missouri. Boyer states that he mailed Comingo vouchers for military expenditures and has not received any response. He also informs Comingo that he submitted a list of three hundred people who will not volunteer to join military regiments going south to fight the Rebels, but "will in good faith" agree to fight elsewhere.
Date: November 22, 1863

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

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

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