Civil War

Title: Examination of Joseph H. Jenkins
Description: This unsigned 1866 Oath of Loyalty bears the name of Joseph H. Jenkins. The document is No. 134 in a bound volume of loyalty oaths given by citizens of Liberty Township in Clay County, Missouri between 1866 and 1868.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: John W. Whitfield
Description: Photograph of John W. Whitfield, the first Congressional delegate from Kansas Territory. The first election in Kansas Territory, held november 29, 1854, was won by Democrat John W. Whitfield, a proslavery settler and veteran of the Mexican-American War. Free-Staters complained about fraudulent voting by Misourians who crossed the border to cast their ballots and intimidate antislavery voters, especially in proslavery towns such as Leavenworth.
Object Type: Image
Date: n.d.

Title: Examination of William B. Arnold
Description: This is William B. Arnold's Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Arnold describes himself as a 38-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 taking up arms." The oath, labeled No. 116 in a bound volume, was signed by Arnold in 1866.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: General Orders, No. 10
Description: Maj. Gen. Samuel Curtis issued General Order No. 10 from the Department of the Missouri Headquarters in St. Louis on February 4, 1863. The order details the proceedings of a recent General Court Martial in Lexington, Missouri, where officers and soldiers were tried for war crimes, including disobedience of orders, neglect of duty, desertion, and mutiny. It is signed by Assistant Adjutant General H.Z. Curtis.
Date: February 4, 1863

Title: From Samuel Lyle Adair to Charles Adair and Ada Adair
Description: This letter was written on October 19, 1860 by Samuel Lyle Adair in Osawatomie, Kansas, to his son Charles and daughter Ada. Samuel warns that as Charles starts school in Ohio, “you will doubtless find many things to try your feelings in consequence of not having had better opportunities in times past.” Samuel reports on activities in Osawatomie, including two meetings to address the town’s shortage of bread for the winter, which he did not attend. "Money is growing scarcer all the time, and nothing but money will bring bread," he writes.
Object Type: Letter
Date: October 19, 1860

Title: From Charles Adair to Samuel Lyle Adair
Description: This letter was written on October 3-5, 1860 by Charles Adair in Akron and Hudson, Ohio to his father Samuel Lyle Adair. Charles describes going to the fair and meeting various relatives. He reports that Uncle Edward has just returned from Cleveland, where he attended a Republican meeting. Charles remarks that he feels “very lonely to day for the want of something to do. I find visiting hard work.”
Object Type: Letter
Date: October 3, 1860-October 5, 1860

Title: From Abishai Stowell to "Dear Sister"
Description: On November 14, 1863, Abishai Stowell writes from Fort Smith, Arkansas to his sister. Stowell reports that on November 12, Gen. Blunt arrived from Fort Scott with 250 wagons, and more wagons arrived from Springfield, Missouri. "It is thought by some that Gen Blunt will go South with his command in a few days," Stowell writes.
Date: November 14, 1863

Title: John Brown
Description: Sepia-tone reproduction print of abolitionist John Brown.
Object Type: Image

Title: Examination of Michil Arthur
Description: This is Michil Arthur's Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Arthur, a 66-year-old resident of Liberty, Missouri, originally from Kentucky, states that he remained loyal to the United States Government during the Civil War, though he performed no explicit acts of loyalty nor of disloyalty. The oath, No. 6 in a bound volume, was signed by Arthur in 1866.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: Independence Courthouse, Jackson County, Missouri
Description: Engraving of the Courthouse in Independence, Missouri from 'The United States Illustrated' by Charles A. Dana.
Object Type: Image
Date: 1855

Title: From Philip St. George Cooke to John W. Geary
Description: This dispatch, written ca. September 26, 1856, is from Lieut. Col. Philip St. George Cooke to Kansas Gov. John W. Geary. Cooke informs Geary that he will send artillery and cavalry companies to join Col. Johnston, who is marching north to intercept Col. Eldridge’s party at the Nebraska state line. Cooke says that they might cross the river at Lecompton, and asks Geary if he wants 150 men to stay in Lecompton.

Title: Statements of Clothing and Camp and Garrison Equipment Costs
Description: This document, issued by U.S. War Department, Adjutant General's Office, dictates the cost of clothing and camp and garrison equipment for the Army of the United States, along with the allowance of clothing to each soldier during his elistment and his proportion for each year.
Date: December 9, 1862

Title: Robert T. Van Horn
Description: Head and shoulders portrait of Robert T. Van Horn
Object Type: Image
Date: n.d.

Title: Thomas Carney
Description: Photograph of Republican Thomas Carney from Leavenworth, Kansas, who served as second Governor of Kansas from 1863 to 1865.
Object Type: Image
Date: 1860-1896

Title: General Nathaniel Lyon
Description: Illustration of General Nathaniel Lyon by Joseph Edward Baker.
Object Type: Image
Date: 1861

Title: List of Colored Recruits Enlisted, 6th District Missouri
Description: This February 1864 military roll lists the names of enslaved "colored recruits" who were enlisted in the 30th sub-district of the 6th congressional district of Missouri in Chariton County. The roll provides the soldiers' physical characteristics, occupations, birthplaces, and the names of their owners.
Date: February 1864

Title: From J.F. Benjamin to E.B. Alexander
Description: This dispatch, dated November 23, 1863, is from Col. J.F. Benjamin, Provost Marshal of the 8th district of Missouri, to Col. E.B. Alexander, Acting Assistant Provost Marshal General of Missouri. Benjamin copies a telegraph from Washington stating that District Provost Marshals are no longer required to submit daily reports of military recruitment.
Date: November 23, 1863

Title: From Leigh R. Webber to Miss Brown
Description: On August 12, 1862, Leigh R. Webber writes from Gibson County, Tennessee to Miss Brown. Webber criticizes the government's management of the war, declaring "there is no genuine Union sentiment in the Seceded States, to any extent...Unless the Government feels itself able to subjugate the South, it ought to acknowledge its independence at once. The restoration of the union as it was previous to the war is an impossibility." He refers to Generals Halleck, McClellan, Buell in his letter.
Date: August 12, 1862

Title: From Robert M. Stewart to Samuel Medary
Description: This letter, dated December 31, 1858, is from Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart to Kansas Gov. Samuel Medary. Stewart reports a recent invasion by James Montgomery and his “band of marauders” and says that he has received a request to send an officer to the border to capture armed men and prevent Montgomery from escaping. Stewart also informs Medary that the Missouri General Assembly is in session and will discuss preventing further invasions and bringing the guilty to justice.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: December 31, 1858

Title: Examination of John R. Courtney
Description: This is John R. Courtney's 1866 Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Courtney, a native of Kentucky, states that he has lived in Missouri for 27 years. He says that in 1862 he was enrolled by the military authorities as "disloyal--but against my wishes." Courtney was also required to give bond, although "at the time I told Col[.] Penick I could prove my loyalty." The oath is No. 246 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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