Civil War

Title: Application of James P. Hamilton
Description: This is James P. Hamilton’s application for compensation from the United States government for the military service of his slave. The application, dated November 8, 1866, includes an oath of allegiance to the United States, a statement that Hamilton lawfully purchased his slave, and the signatures of a witness and a notary public in St. Joseph, Missouri. A note in pencil on the second page indicates that the application was rejected.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: November 8, 1866

Title: Examination of Richard T. Jones
Description: This is Richard T. Jones's Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Jones describes himself as a 48-year-old resident of Clay County, Missouri who was born in Kentucky. He states that he remained loyal to the United States Government during the Civil War and that he "had no sympathy with the Rebellion." The oath, labeled No. 92 in a bound volume, was signed by Jones on October 6, 1866.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: October 6, 1866

Title: From Leigh R. Webber to Esteemed Friend
Description: This letter, dated September 20, 1862, is from Leigh R. Webber to an "Esteemed Friend." He writes from camp in Tennessee, where he has just returned after a "jayhawking trip," during which the soldiers in his regiment foraged for food and robbed a family of Secessionists, but "did not so much as get a glimpse of a rebel soldier." Webber identifies himself as an abolitionist and voices his support for James Henry Lane's proposal to arm and enroll African-American troops.
Date: September 20, 1862

Title: General Orders, No. 11
Description: This is a copy of the infamous Order No. 11, issued by Union General Thomas E. Ewing at the District of the Border Headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri on August 25, 1863. The order commands residents of Jackson, Cass, Bates, and northern Vernon counties to leave their homes and move away from the area within fifteen days. Ewing issued the directive four days after Quantrill’s Raid on Lawrence, in an attempt to suppress guerrilla violence.
Date: August 25, 1863

Title: Examination of Ellison Higbee
Description: This is Ellison Higbee's 1866 Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Higbee, a 44-year-old Kentucky native, states that he has lived in Missouri for 14 years and served in the militia during the war. The oath is No. 178 in a bound volume.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: From J.T. Peery to Dear Mother and Father
Description: This letter, dated November 22, 1856, is from J.T. Peery to his parents. Peery, a preacher, mentions his new assignment to a church in Independence, Missouri. He describes the volatile conditions of the area: "The land is overrun with men who have thrown off all moral restraint & appear to act as if they do not fear God . . . in this part of the country some are becoming awake to a sence of the dangers."
Object Type: Letter
Date: November 22, 1856

Title: From D.R. Anthony to Dear Sister
Description: D.R. Anthony writes a letter from Leavenworth, Kansas to his sister on September 10 and 11, 1858. He reports the results of a recent municipal election, which put into office three Democrats, two Whigs, and fourteen Republicans. He expresses dismay about local Irish-Americans voting Democrat and their desire to establish a “Free white state for white men.” Anthony decries the rampant racism of the times, as well as “the ignorance and prejudice of the Irish.” He tells his sister that his antislavery stance has earned him “the reputation of being one of the most radical men in Kansas.”
Date: September 10, 1858-September 11, 1858

Title: Morgan Walker
Description: Photograph of Jackson County, Missouri, farmer Morgan Walker.
Object Type: Image
Date: n.d.

Title: Jesse and Frank James
Description: Black and white photograph of the brothers Jesse and Frank James, taken in Carolinda, Illinois, in 1872.
Object Type: Image
Date: 1872

Title: Examination of Samuel Robinson
Description: This is Samuel Robinson's Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Robinson, a 57-year-old resident of Liberty, Missouri, originally from Kentucky, states that during the Civil War, he obeyed all laws, supported the Federal Government, and considered its enemies to be "those that opposed it." The oath, No. 3 in a bound volume, was signed by Robinson in 1866.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: Court Martial Proceedings of Captain Lyman D. Rouell
Description: This military document includes proceedings of the general court martial of Lyman D. Rouell, Captain of the 2nd Colorado Volunteers, Company F. In this court martial held at the Headquarters District of the Border in Kansas City, Missouri, Captain Rouell pleads "not guilty" to: charges of drunkenness while on duty at Fort Lyon in the Colorado Territory and at Council Grove, Kansas; and for driving contraband stock into Kansas from Hickman Mills, Missouri. The official charges included "Conduct unbecoming an Officer and Gentlemen" and "Neglect of duty to the prejudices of good order and military discipline." The verdict is not extant. This document shows how some military units took advantage of General Ewing's General Order No. 11 by accumulating and selling property from abandoned counties.
Date: November 1863 - December 1863

Title: From E.V. Sumner to Daniel Woodson
Description: This dispatch, dated July 2, 1856, was sent by Col. E.V. Sumner at Headquarters, 1st Cavalry in camp at Topeka, Kansas, to Acting Kansas Gov. Daniel Woodson. Sumner states that he will be glad to meet the following day with Woodson, Judge Cato, Col. Isaacs, and U.S. Marshal Donalson. He asks Woodson to bring the Governor’s and President’s proclamations, along with his instructions under them, and the Governor’s letter about the Topeka legislature.
Date: July 2, 1856

Title: Examination of Moses Dickson
Description: This is Moses Dickson's 1866 Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Dickson, a native of Kentucky, states that he has lived in Missouri for 14 years and served in the military during the war. The oath is No. 194 in a bound volume.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: Circular No. 22
Description: This document, entitled Circular No. 22, is dated April 21, 1865 and is signed by Col. E.B. Alexander in St. Louis. The Circular instructs Provost Marshals to "thoroughly complete" their enrollment and muster records by the end of April; to discharge all Deputy Provost Marshals, special officers, and clerks; and to turn over all clothing, camp, and garrison equipage to the nearest post quartermaster.
Date: April 21, 1865

Title: Examination of Alfred L. Braly
Description: This is Alfred L. Braly's 1866 Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Braly, a 40-year-old Missouri native, states that he went into the militia during the war, "but got exempt and went home." The oath is No. 231 in a bound volume.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: From S.S. Abney to William Van Lear
Description: S.S. Abney writes from Morgan County, Missouri to William Van Lear on December 5, 1860. He tells Van Lear that troops are pursuing James Montgomery, who has taken possession of Fort Scott after robbing and murdering Kansas residents. Abney expresses hope for the future of Kansas, but predicts that "we are on the verge of perilous times."
Date: December 5, 1860

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

Title: Gaius Jenkins
Description: Ambrotype of Gaius Jenkins, active member of the Free-State cause and Lawrence resident who was killed by James Lane over a land dispute.
Object Type: Image

Title: Examination of Edmon Kidd
Description: This is Edmon Kidd's 1866 Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Kidd, a 24-year-old Kentucky native, states that he has lived in Missouri for 18 years and took up arms "for the Gov't" during the war. The oath is No. 235 in a bound volume.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

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

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