Civil War

Title: The Western Dispatch.
Description: This is the August 17, 1856 evening issue of the Western Dispatch, printed in Independence, Missouri. The newspaper announces that war is "being waged by the Abolitionists," and reports that James Henry Lane, John Brown, and their forces have robbed several Kansas residents and driven them into Missouri. The paper also mentions that Kansas Gov. Wilson Shannon requested aid from the U.S. military, but was refused. A last minute extra, printed at the bottom of the paper, states that Lane and his men have captured Lecompton.
Object Type: Newspaper Article
Date: August 17, 1856

Title: Examination of C.W. Baker
Description: This is C.W. Baker's Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Baker describes himself as a 65-year-old resident of Liberty, Missouri. In response to the question, "Have you during the late rebellion been truly and loyally on the side of the Government of the United States and against all its enemies?" Baker replies, "I think so." The oath, labeled No. 35 in a bound volume, was signed by Baker in 1866.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: From G.W. Veale to George W. Dietzler
Description: On October 30, 1864, this dispatch was sent by Col. G.W. Veale at Headquarters, 2nd Regiment, Kansas State Militia in Topeka, Kansas, to Maj. Gen. Dietzler, Comm. Kansas State Militia. Veale reports on a recent campaign in which his regiment moved from Topeka to Shawneetown in Johnson County, Kansas, to Jackson County, Missouri, where it fought in the Battle of the Blue on October 22, 1864. Veale states that his regiment lost 44 killed and wounded, with 68 men taken prisoner after fighting “a force six times our number for three quarters of an hour.” The dispatch includes a list of the soldiers killed and wounded in the battle.
Date: October 30, 1864

Title: From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description: In this July 15, 1864 letter, John A. Bushnell of Calhoun, Missouri informs Eugenia Bronaugh of Hickory Grove, Missouri that he is in great danger. He says that his safety and his personal property are at risk and he laments that “the pretence of civil law is a humbug.” He conveys his desire for the war to end and for enemies to become friends, to love one another, and to love God.
Date: July 15, 1864

Title: From Florella Brown Adair to Samuel Lyle Adair
Description: This letter was written on February 17, 1861 by Florella Brown Adair in Grafton, Ohio, to her husband Samuel Lyle Adair. Florella says she is sorry if Samuel’s feelings are hurt by her letters, but says that she intended no wrong and has tried to do right by her family and herself by staying in Ohio for the winter. She plans to go south to Xenia, Ohio with Charles in March, and adds that although Ada wants to see her father, she “does not care about going back to Kansas.”
Object Type: Letter
Date: February 17, 1861

Title: Examination of G. Francis
Description: This is G. Francis's Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Francis, a 50-year-old resident of Clay County, Missouri, states that he demonstrated his loyalty to the United States during the Civil War "by my conduct at home." The oath, labeled No. 78 in a bound volume, was signed by Francis in 1866.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: Abraham Lincoln
Description: Sepia albumen portrait of Abraham Lincoln, seated with left arm on side table and head resting on hand.
Object Type: Image
Date: August 9, 1863

Title: Examination of James W. Crow
Description: This is James W. Crow's 1866 Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Crow, a 34-year-old native of Clinton County, Missouri, states that he was required to give bond during the war: "I was enrolled disloyal against my wishes I claimed to be loyal at the time." The oath is No. 236 in a bound volume.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: From Edward Fitch to Dear Parents
Description: Edward Fitch of Lawrence, Kansas writes a letter on August 25, 1856 to his parents, who live in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Edward argues that Hopkinton, his hometown, should pay him for his contributions to the Free State cause in Kansas. He adds that a lot of his neighbors also need financial help and don’t have enough food or clothing. He writes that he recently attended the funeral of Captain Shombre, who was fatally wounded at the Battle of Fort Titus, and mentions that Major David S. Hoyt was killed the same week in an attack at Washington Creek.
Object Type: Letter
Date: August 25, 1856

Title: Marais des Cygnes Massacre
Description: Illustration of the Marais des Cygnes Massacre by John R. Chapin copied from "Beyond the Mississippi" by Albert D. Richardson, 1867.
Object Type: Image

Title: Missouri Militia Second Request for Recommendations for Enrolling and Exemption Officers
Description: Missouri Militia Colonel Hosea G. Mullings makes a second request that James J. Akard recommends "suitable persons for Enrolling and Exemption Officers for the Counties Polk and Cedar" in southwestern Missouri.
Date: May 27, 1865

Title: Citizens' Meeting at Weston, Missouri
Description: This broadside describes the proceedings of a citizens’ meeting held in Weston, Missouri, on September 1, 1854. G.W. Gist is identified as chair of the meeting, with J.B. Evans serving as secretary. The broadside states that ten resolutions were passed at the meeting, with attendees declaring themselves to be “Union men” forced to accept measures contrary to their principles by “certain members of the Platte County Self-Defensive Association.” The broadside is signed by 174 men.
Object Type: Broadside
Date: September 1, 1854

Title: Circular No. 36
Description: This document, entitled Circular No. 36, is dated September 21, 1865 and is signed by Col. E.B. Alexander in St. Louis. The Circular instructs Provost Marshals to report any casualties incurred among their employees "while engaged in making the enrollment, serving notices of draft, or arresting deserters," and to provide a short history of each casualty.
Date: September 21, 1865

Title: From D.M. Frost to Robert M. Stewart
Description: This dispatch, dated November 28, 1860, is from Brig. Gen. D.M. Frost to Gov. Robert M. Stewart. Frost writes from Camp Stewart, Headquarters of the South-West Expedition, informing Stewart that troops from St. Louis and Jefferson City have joined his forces. He also relays information that James Montgomery has killed two Missouri citizens and is presently at Fort Scott, Kansas, “holding a Court by his own authority” and “condemning persons whom he has arrested to be hung.”
Date: November 28, 1860

Title: Amos Adams Lawrence
Description: Portrait of Amos A. Lawrence, namesake of Lawrence, Kansas.
Object Type: Image

Title: Union Men and Their Sufferings in North-Western Missouri
Description: This 1864 pamphlet, entitled “Union Men and Their Sufferings in North-Western Missouri,” was written by Major J.M. Bassett, former Provost Marshal-General of the Northwest District of Missouri. Bassett provides a “glance at the history of the Rebellion in Northwest Missouri,” admitting “it may be that my hatred for rebels is too intense, my sympathy for loyal men too strong, to make every sentence I write acceptable to all.” The pamphlet, which features several black-and-white illustrations, was published by the Press of Wynkcop, Hallenbeck, and Thomas in New York, with proceeds from its sale given to The Ladies’ Aid Society of St. Joseph, Missouri.
Date: 1864

Title: Genl. Franklin Pierce: Fourteenth President of the United States
Description: Currier & Ives lithograph of President Franklin Pierce, circa 1853.
Object Type: Image

Title: From George H. Hoyt to Charles Robinson
Description: On August 12, 1862, George H. Hoyt writes from Leavenworth, Kansas, to Kansas Gov. Charles Robinson. Hoyt states that Gen. Lane has given Col. Jennison “the authority…to organize the colored regiments in the State…with no conditions of any sort.” Hoyt says that Jennison will be pleased to receive suggestions from Robinson regarding this work.
Date: August 12, 1862

Title: From Alex M. Bedford to Joseph L. Bennett
Description: On April 13, 1865, Alex M. Bedford writes from Fort Delaware, Delaware, Division 34, to Joseph L. Bennett in Savannah, Missouri. Bedford writes about the surrender of Gen. Lee and his army: “they have gone up & our confederacy has played out & I will return home by taking the oath or any other way.” Complaining of poor health, Bedford seeks Bennett’s help in expediting his release, and suggests that he ask Major Bruce of St. Joseph, Missouri, to write to the War Department on his behalf.
Date: April 13, 1865

Title: From Edward Fitch to Dear Father
Description: Edward Fitch of Lawrence, Kansas writes a letter to his father in Massachusetts on January 20, 1856. He criticizes the Know Nothing Party, arguing that the people of Massachusetts would be more adamant abolitionists if they witnessed the effects of slavery. He contends that, “the great question of Slavery is to be the question before the country.” He includes a copy of a statement that James Henry Lane wrote on January 4, 1856, declaring his intention to present to the United States the new Constitution adopted by the state of Kansas at the Topeka Convention.
Date: January 20, 1856

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

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