Civil War

Title: Document Regarding Collapse of Women's Prison
Description: This document certifies that a building known as "No. 13 Metropolitan Block" housed a women's prison in July and August 1863, by order of Brig. Gen. Thomas E. Ewing, Jr. The building, located in McGee's Addition to Kansas City, Missouri, collapsed on August 13, 1863. This document was signed by Ewing at the Headquarters of the District of the Border in Kansas City on September 11, 1863.
Date: September 11, 1863

Title: A Defence of Republicanism
Description: This address, titled "A Defense of Republicanism," was delivered by John Johnson, former mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, to the Kansas City Republican Club on September 15, 1860. In the address, Johnson attempts to dispel false beliefs about Republican principles, including the accusations that the party "will destroy your property in negroes should it come into power," and that "the Republican party is a negro stealing party." Johnson also expresses Republican support of the Lincoln-Hamlin ticket.
Object Type: Speech

Title: From Jonathan B. Fuller to Dear Father
Description: On May 23, 1864, Jonathan B. Fuller writes from Kansas City, Missouri to his father. Fuller writes about his plans for his church congregation, and describes attending a school picnic in Kansas City, at which he gave a short address. He mentions that a colleague plans to start east on a collecting trip, provided General Grant "is successful on the Potomac." Fuller adds that there are bushwhackers in the area, but only a few and therefore "not likely to do any general mischief."
Date: May 23, 1864

Title: From John Brown, Jr. to Orson Day
Description: This letter, dated January 23, 1856, is from John Brown, Jr. at his homestead in Osawatomie, Kansas to Orson Day in White Hall, New York. Brown provides instructions on how to safely travel to Kansas by railroad or boat. He advises Day to purchase a cooking stove in St. Louis, and tells him that if he takes a boat from there, he will land in Kansas City, "a small town on the Western border of Mo." before travelling to Osawatomie, Kansas.
Date: January 23, 1856

Title: From James H. Lane et al to "All Whom It May Concern"
Description: On September 5, 1863, James H. Lane and five others write an open letter from Leavenworth, Kansas to "all whom it may concern." Lane and the others express sympathy with Col. S.W. Eldridge, who is travelling east to seek aid in rebuilding the Free State Hotel in Lawrence, Kansas, which was destroyed during Quantrill's Raid. The signers assure potential contributors to Eldridge's project that he is "a man in every respect worthy of their full confidence."
Date: September 5, 1863

Title: From John Brown to Orson Day
Description: This letter, dated December 14, 1855, is from John Brown to Orson Day of White Hall, New York. Writing from his homestead in Osawatomie, Kansas, Brown tells Day that he has just returned from the "Kansas War" and that he believes Kansas Territory is now "entirely in the power of the Free State men." He announces that on the following day, Kansas residents will vote on whether to adopt the Free State Constitution. Brown also informs Day that he has secured a piece of land for him in Kansas.
Date: December 14, 1855

Title: Deed of Emancipation of James O. Swinney's Slaves
Description: In this document, James O. Swinney announces that he will emancipate his slaves on January 1, 1864, "in view of the present condition of the institution of slavery." He adds that if he dies before that date, his brother-in-law, William Morrison, will be appointed as his trustee. This document was signed by Swinney and two witnesses, W.H. Savage and James C. Savage, in Howard County, Missouri, on September 4, 1863.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: September 4, 1863

Title: From S.C. Pomeroy to Col. S.W. Eldridge
Description: On October 8, 1863, S.C. Pomeroy writes from Parker House, Boston to Col. S.W. Eldridge. Pomeroy states that he submitted a proposal to "the Committee" to appropriate $5,000 in funds for rebuilding the destroyed Free State Hotel in Lawrence, Kansas. Pomeroy also proposes that once the hotel is rebuilt, the Mayor of Lawrence should assign a portion of the donated money to assist families affected by the raid. Pomeroy notes, "This last provision sweetens the thing--and I have little doubt that it will pass."
Date: October 8, 1863

Title: From Jonathan B. Fuller to Dear Father
Description: On June 13, 1864, Jonathan B. Fuller writes from Kansas City, Missouri to his father. Fuller discusses church activities and says that there are probably a few bushwhackers in the area. "Patrols are out every night," he writes, "but the object of them seems more to prevent smuggling ammunition & supplies out of town to the guerrillas than to guard against any attack." Fuller adds that he is to give an address at William Jewell College.
Date: June 13, 1864

Title: From J.B. Henderson to R.T. Van Horn
Description: This letter, dated April 7, 1864, is from J.B. Henderson in Washington City to Col. R.T. Van Horn in Jefferson City, Missouri. Henderson writes that he might try to get Van Horn appointed to office. He expresses his frustration with politics in Washington, stating that "It requires a degree of subservience that I hate," and that whenever President Lincoln makes decisions, "some secretary interferes and he caves."
Object Type: Letter
Date: April 7, 1864

Title: From Joseph A. Lewis to Jonathan B. Fuller
Description: This letter, dated March 13, 1864, is from Joseph A. Lewis in Glasgow, Missouri to Rev. Jonathan B. Fuller in Louisiana, Missouri. Lewis asks Fuller to clarify some of the details of Order 61, which requires ministers to take an oath of loyalty to the United States. He expresses support for the order, declaring, "I can not, and will not, sit under the preaching of a disloyal man."
Date: March 13, 1864

Title: From Thomas C. Fletcher to "Col."
Description: On March 19, 1866, Missouri Gov. Thomas C. Fletcher writes from the Executive Department in Jefferson City, Missouri to "Col." Fletcher reports that Jim Anderson and his men are in Franklin, Howard County, Missouri, and writes, "If they can be captured or killed it would be the best thing for the state I know of." Fletcher believes a platoon would be sufficient for this task, and urges the "Col." to "take hold of the matter."
Object Type: Government Document
Date: March 19, 1866

Title: Platte River near Platte City, Platte County, Missouri
Description: Present day photograph of the Platte River near Platte City in Platte County, Missouri.
Object Type: Image
Date: October 4, 2006

Title: John C. Fremont
Description: Lithograph by Charles G. Crehan of Jules-Émile Saintin's original painting of John C. Fremont, head-and-shoulders portrait, facing left
Object Type: Image

Title: From Abishai Stowell to "Dear Sister"
Description: On June 11, 1863, Abishai Stowell writes from Mount Gilead, Kansas, to his sister. Stowell states that he is visiting his family and will return to his regiment, the 2nd Kansas Volunteers, in Springfield, Missouri tomorrow. He says they have drawn new horses and arms, and "I suppose we will soon be marching into Dixie land again." Stowell also tells his sister he is not in General Blunt's command.
Date: June 11, 1863

Title: Kansas Colored Volunteers Correspondence
Description: This bound letterbook contains copies of letters exchanged between the Adjutant General’s Office in Fort Scott, Kansas and various correspondents including the War Department in Washington. The letters relate to the recruitment and commission of troops and officers for the Kansas Colored Volunteers. Participants in the correspondence include Major General James G. Blunt, Major General J.M. Schofield, Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, and Kansas Governor Thomas Carney.
Date: 1863-1864

Title: From Wilson Shannon to E.V. Sumner
Description: This dispatch, dated June 4, 1856, was sent by Kansas Gov. Wilson Shannon in Lecompton, Kansas, to Col. E.V. Sumner at Headquarters, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Shannon informs Sumner that there are about 300 Free State men in Prairie City, Kansas, “fortified and prepared to fight.” Shannon adds that Capt. Pate and twenty or thirty prisoners are confined there.
Date: June 4, 1856

Title: Wyllys C. Ransom vs. George C. Bingham
Description: These documents, created between 1866 and 1867, relate to the Jackson County, Missouri court case Wyllys C. Ransom vs. George C. Bingham. Ransom accuses Bingham of slander, asserting that Bingham publicly and repeatedly said he was a “murderer, robber, thief and a house burner” during the Civil War. Portions of testimony are from Ransom’s fellow officers in the Kansas Volunteers. Ransom seeks $30,000 in damages.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: 1866-1867

Title: From Wilson Shannon to E.V. Sumner
Description: This dispatch, dated June 4, 1856, was sent by Kansas Gov. Wilson Shannon in Lecompton, Kansas, to Col. E.V. Sumner at Headquarters, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. With the goal of “preserving the peace and good order of this Territory,” Shannon gives Sumner a detailed set of instructions to station U.S. troops at various points in Franklin and Douglas Counties in Kansas. Shannon warns that in carrying out the plan, the troops must treat all persons equally regardless of party affiliation.
Date: June 4, 1856

Title: From John Donnelly to Mrs. Brown
Description: In a letter dated April 3, 1864, John Donnelly writes from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas to "My dear old friend Mrs. Brown." Donnelly tells Mrs. Brown that he is well "and having lots of sport." He adds that he heard "some of the school boys joined the army I hope they will enjoy it."
Date: April 3, 1864

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

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