Civil War

Title: From Samuel Medary to Robert M. Stewart
Description: In this January 5, 1859 letter, Kansas Gov. Samuel Medary introduces Capt. A.J. Weaver of Linn County, Kansas to Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart. Medary states that he is sending Weaver to Missouri to transport arms, and asks that Stewart help him complete his mission safely: “You will confer a great favor upon me by granting him the use of your name as security to the people of Missouri.”
Object Type: Government Document
Date: January 5, 1859

Title: Examination of John A. Beauchamp
Description: This is John A. Beauchamp's 1866 Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Beauchamp, a 41-year-old Kentucky native, states that he has lived in Missouri for 18 years. He says that during "the Blue Mills fight I assisted the Federals to bury their dead and assisted the wounded." The oath is No. 208 in a bound volume.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: Examination of James M. Watkins
Description: This is James M. Watkins's Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Watkins describes himself as a 54-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 but "was too old to take up arms." The oath, labeled No. 122 in a bound volume, was signed by Watkins in 1866.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: From Edward Fitch to Dear Parents
Description: Edward Fitch writes a letter from Lawrence, Kansas to his parents in Massachusetts on February 24, 1856. He says that the Free State Legislature plans to meet next month in Topeka, and that President Pierce has proclaimed them traitors. Fitch predicts that the Missourians will attack Kansas, “but if they try it we shall have a bloody time out here.” He finishes the letter on March 9 and tells his parents that the Legislature met in Topeka, and that no violence occurred.
Date: February 24, 1856-March 9, 1856

Title: Unidentified Man
Description: Charcoal portrait drawing of unidentified man with long flowing mustache, dressed in suit coat and shirt. Drawing is signed by the artist.
Object Type: Image

Title: From James Montgomery to George L. Stearns
Description: In this July 5, 1861 letter from Mound City, James Montgomery informs George L. Stearns that he has entered Missouri, along with 180 men, to aid the Union soldiers. Montgomery describes battles at Ball’s Mill and Bates County, reporting that his men have killed several Rebels and have had no casualties. He also mentions plans to raise a regiment.
Date: July 5, 1861

Title: From James Griffing to Augusta
Description: This July 9, 1855 letter was written by James Griffing at Ottawa Creek, Kansas, to Augusta. James writes that he is “travelling the rounds of another preacher’s circuit,” currently staying with an Ottawa Indian named “Jones” (possibly “Ottawa Jones”). James criticizes the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the Bogus Legislature, and describes an inspiring speech given by Charles Robinson in Lawrence, Kansas on Independence Day.
Date: July 9, 1855

Title: Texas Ordinance of Secession
Description: Photograph of the Texas Ordinance of Secession from February 1, 1861. Image courtesy of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
Object Type: Image
Date: February 1, 1861

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 Israel B. Donalson to Daniel Woodson
Description: This letter, dated September 1, 1856, was written by U.S. Marshal Israel B. Donalson in Lecompton, Kansas, to Acting Kansas Gov. Daniel Woodson. Donalson states that a large number of armed men, probably commanded by Gen. James Lane, are entering Kansas daily for the purpose of driving citizens from the Territory, robbing and burning houses, and committing murder. Donalson does not possess enough troops to suppress Lane’s men, and is submitting the facts of the situation to Woodson so he can determine a course of action.
Date: September 1, 1856

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

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

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