Civil War

Title: Examination of Nathaniel Grant
Description: This is Nathaniel Grant's Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Grant, a 48-year-old resident of Clay County, Missouri, says that he felt "a little sorry" when Gen. Sterling Price captured Gen. Mulligan's army at Lexington, Missouri, and that he felt "rather down in the mouth" when the Federal army was defeated at Bull Run in 1861. The oath, labeled No. 52 in a bound volume, was signed by Nathaniel Grant in 1866.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: From Daniel Woodson to William Hutchinson and H. Miles Moore
Description: This letter, dated September 3, 1856, was written by Acting Kansas Gov. Daniel Woodson at Lecompton, Kansas to William Hutchinson and H. Miles Moore on behalf of the Kansas State Central Committee. Woodson refers to Gen. James Lane’s recent raid on Franklin, Kansas and several other areas of the Territory. He reminds Hutchinson and Moore about the proclamation issued August 25, 1856, declaring Kansas to be in a state of insurrection, and also cites the recent general order issued to Gen. Richardson and Gen. Coffey forbidding the burning of houses under any circumstances.
Object Type: Letter
Date: September 3, 1856

Title: Examination of Martin Fisher
Description: This is Martin Fisher's 1866 Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Fisher, a 71-year-old Virginia native, states that he has lived in Missouri for 50 years and was enrolled by the military authorities as "loyal" in 1862. The oath is No. 185 in a bound volume.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: Plat of Iatan, Edgerton, Parkville, et al., Platte County, Missouri
Description: A plat of the Platte County towns of Iatan, Edgerton, Parkville, and East Leavenworth, as well as Platte County Township 50 North Range 33 & 34 West. This page is included in an 1877 plat book of Platte County, Missouri.
Date: 1877

Title: Statement of the Citizens of Bates Co. Concerning Border Troubles
Description: This statement, dated June 5, 1858, was written by Joseph Clymer and signed by Adj. Gen. G.A. Parsons and 11 citizens of West Point in Bates County, Missouri. The statement describes the invasion of West Point and the robberies and attacks on Missouri citizens committed by James Montgomery and his band. The citizens state that Montgomery’s men have threatened to destroy West Point, and that a number of citizens have fled their homes in fear. The citizens request assistance from the Missouri government.
Date: June 5, 1858

Title: From O.H.P. Craig to A.M. Bedford
Description: This letter, dated April 25, 1861, is from O.H.P. Craig in St. Joseph, Missouri to Alex M. Bedford in Savannah, Missouri. Craig announces, “We have nothing here, but War! War!” He reports that local business has stagnated and that everyone is eager for news about the war. He also mentions that he recently returned from a trip to St. Louis and that residents there are full of “excitement and alarm.”
Date: April 25, 1861

Title: New England Emigrant Aid Company Sign
Description: Sign advertising the New England Emigrant Aid Company.
Object Type: Image

Title: Examination of Robert G. Robertson
Description: This is Robert G. Robertson's 1866 Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Robertson, a 24-year-old Missouri native, states that he was enrolled by the military authorities as "loyal" in 1862. The oath is No. 217 in a bound volume.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: From Philip St. George Cooke to John W. Geary
Description: This dispatch, dated September 16, 1856, is from Lieut. Col. Philip St. George Cooke to Gov. John W. Geary. Cooke states that after returning to camp near Lecompton, he discovered that 101 prisoners who were taken at the Battle of Hickory Point are now being held at the camp. Cooke asks Geary to send a “proper civil officer” to take the prisoners into custody.
Date: September 16, 1856

Title: From Charles Adair to Samuel Lyle Adair
Description: This letter was written on January 12, 1861 by Charles Adair in Hudson, Ohio, to his father Samuel Lyle Adair. Charles reports that his uncle plans to move to the “oil springs" with his wife. Charles says that he received a letter from his mother, Florella Brown Adair, who is in Grafton, Ohio. He writes about the textbooks he is using in school and tells his father there is a college in Hudson.
Date: January 12, 1861

Title: John McNeil
Description: Portrait of Colonel John McNeil, "The Butcher of Palmyra," who on October 18, 1862, ordered the execution of 10 Confederate prisoners of war in retaliation for the kidnappig of pro-Union carpenter, Andrew Allsman.
Object Type: Image

Title: From Robert M. Stewart to G.A. Parsons
Description: This dispatch, dated May 31, 1858, is from Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart to Adj. Gen. G.A. Parsons. Stewart relays information that “a marauding party of armed men” from Kansas has invaded Bates and Cass Counties in Missouri and are threatening to commit arson and murder. Stewart orders Parsons to investigate the matter and decide what steps should be taken to protect Missouri citizens. He authorizes Parsons to organize a volunteer force if necessary.
Date: May 31, 1858

Title: Union Prison Collapse Marker
Description: Photograph of the historical marker noting the site of the Union Prison collapse in Kansas City, Missouri. The Union Prison, located at 1425 Grand Avenue, held female relatives and associates of proslavery Missouri bushwhackers. Five women, including the sister of guerilla William T. "Bloody Bill" Anderson, died as a result of the collapse on August 14, 1863.
Object Type: Image
Date: June 24, 2015

Title: Slave Bill of Sale
Description: This slave bill of sale, dated March 31, 1860, is signed by Lafayette County sheriff John P. Bowman. Bowman attests that he sold a female slave and a slave boy named John to Nathaniel Mitchell at auction on November 7, 1859. Mitchell paid $400 for the female slave and $150 for John.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: March 31, 1860

Title: Examination of B.A. Bailey
Description: This is B.A. Bailey's Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Bailey describes himself as a 22-year-old lifelong resident of Liberty, Missouri. He states that he joined the army to fight for the Union during the Civil War. The oath, labeled No. 28 in a bound volume, was signed by Bailey on September 29, 1866.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: September 29, 1866

Title: Examination of John A.S. Majors
Description: This is John A.S. Majors's Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Majors, a 46-year-old resident of Liberty, Missouri, states that he was born in Kentucky. 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?" Majors replies, "I guess so." The oath, labeled No. 45 in a bound volume, was signed by Majors on September 29, 1866.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: September 29, 1866

Title: Battle of Pea Ridge
Description: Chromolithograph print shows an attack by Confederate cavalry and infantry, with Native American troops, against a line of Union cannon and infantry at Pea Ridge in Arkansas.
Object Type: Image

Title: Wakarusa Treaty (Draft)
Description: This document is a draft of the Wakarusa Treaty, signed by Kansas Gov. Wilson Shannon, Charles Robinson, and James H. Lane on December 8, 1855, ending the Wakarusa War. The signers declare that they "have no knowledge of the previous--present or prospective existence of any organization in [Kansas] Territory for the resistance of the laws." They agree to “aid the Governor in securing a posse” to execute the laws, provided that accused individuals are arrested with “legal process” and receive a hearing before a U.S. District Court judge.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: December 8, 1855

Title: From James Griffing to Augusta
Description: This letter, dated June 8, 1855, was sent to Augusta by James Griffing at Walnut Cabin. James discusses frontier life and news of friends in the area, and says that he plans to dispose of his current claim and secure one near Topeka, Kansas. He reassures Augusta that Kansas remains safe despite a violent episode of election fraud perpetrated by “a gang of drunken, worthless villains.”
Date: June 8, 1855

Title: Stephen A. Douglas
Description: A Portrait of Democratic Senator Stephen A. Douglas.
Object Type: Image
Date: n.d.

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

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