Civil War

Title: Deed of Emancipation of William Swinney's Slaves
Description: This legal document, dated August 18, 1863, sets terms for emancipating the slaves belonging to the late William D. Swinney of Howard County, Missouri. It was prepared and signed by James O. Swinney and William Morrison, executors of his last will and testament. An attached document, signed by L.H. Swinney, James O. Swinney, and William Morrison, states that the three signers agree to pay the cost to convey all of William Swinney's former slaves out of Missouri.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: August 18, 1863

Title: From Henry Van Horn to Robert Van Horn and Adela Van Horn
Description: This letter, dated May 9 - May 27, 1861, is from Henry Van Horn in Missouri to his son Robert and his wife Adela. Van Horn writes about the commencement of the War: "there is one Regiment ready to organize and march now and there is part of a second one forming." He also tells his family that an acquaintance, B.M. Warin, was killed when a threshing machine exploded.
Date: May 9, 1861-May 27, 1861

Title: From W.A. Bevis to Jonathan B. Fuller
Description: This letter, dated October 15, 1864, is from Capt. W.A. Bevis in Westport, Missouri to Rev. Jonathan B. Fuller. Bevis states his belief that the "threatened Troubles to this Part of the County" are over, and gives Fuller permission to resume his church services. The Battle of Westport occurred eight days later.
Date: October 15, 1864

Title: Affidavit of Peter Arnoldia
Description: This is Dr. Peter Arnoldia's affidavit concerning the August 1863 collapse of the women's military prison in Kansas City, Missouri. Arnoldia states that he had been in the building that housed the prison many times, including the day before it collapsed, and considered it safe and well constructed. The affidavit is dated September 12, 1863 and signed by Arnoldia and Philip S. Brown, Jackson County Notary Public.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: September 12, 1863

Title: From Jonathan B. Fuller to Dear Father
Description: On June 20, 1864, Jonathan B. Fuller writes from Kansas City, Missouri to his father. Fuller reports that his Sunday church congregation was smaller than usual "on account of the details for Guard duty. For everybody is under arms. The soldiers are off scouring the country for bushwhackers. We…are supposed to be in danger of an attack--so all hands, Rebel & Radical--old and young--are armed and standing guard every night." Fuller also describes escalating political tension within his church.
Date: June 20, 1864

Title: From G.B. Danman to Matthew R. Walker
Description: On July 2, 1856, G.B. Danman writes from Hunstville to Matthew R. Walker. Danman asks for news about "the important changes that have taken place" since he left Kansas, including whether the Territory will become a slave or free state.
Date: July 2, 1856

Title: From William to Ellen W. McCoy
Description: On June 7, 1863, William writes from Independence, Missouri to his wife Ellen W. McCoy. William writes that "the Bushwhackers still continue their annoyance," and explains that two "German Union citizens" were taken from their homes the previous week in retaliation for a recent hanging in Kansas City, and have not been heard from since. William notes, "if this kind of retaliation is to be carried on there is no knowing where it will stop or whose life would be safe."
Object Type: Letter
Date: June 7, 1863

Title: From "Neighbors and Friends" to Col. S.W. Eldridge
Description: This letter, dated September 1, 1863, was sent to Col. S.W. Eldridge by "your neighbors and friends" from the "Ruins of Lawrence," Kansas. The writers encourage Eldridge to rebuild the Free State Hotel in Lawrence, Kansas after its destruction during Quantrill's raid. They promise to aid Eldridge "to the utmost of our ability," and urge him to appeal to "friends of freedom throughout the land" for monetary contributions.
Date: September 1, 1863

Title: From Henry Van Horn to R.T. Van Horn
Description: This letter, dated January 27, 1864, is from Henry Van Horn to his son, R.T. Van Horn in Missouri. Henry commends the progress that Missouri has made "towards liberty and emancipation" and tells his son, "you have the sincere praise of the men here." He expresses concern for his son's well-being after suffering an injury, and informs him that an acquaintance named Mr. Elliott has passed away.
Date: January 27, 1864

Title: From D.L. Shouse to Jonathan B. Fuller
Description: This October 1863 letter is from D.L. Shouse in Kansas City, Missouri, to Rev. Jonathan B. Fuller in Louisiana, Missouri. Shouse writes that his church must postpone the invitation it extended to Fuller to become their minister. He tells Fuller, "we have lost quite a large number of our members by military orders as well as by voluntary removal," and says that the congregation lacks the resources to support a minister until "quiet is restored" in Jackson County.
Date: October 1863

Title: From John W. Ladd to Matthew R. Walker
Description: On July 15, 1860, John W. Ladd writes from Lewis Centre to Matthew R. Walker. Ladd believes "we may expect lively times ahead" with four political parties vying in the presidential election. He discusses national politics briefly, and declares, "the Douglas Popular Sovereignty is about played out and never was anything but a barefaced humbug."
Date: July 15, 1860

Title: Contract for Hire of Slaves
Description: This contract states that William D. Swinney and James O. Swinney will pay Mrs. Mary Enyart $175 to hire two of her slaves, Margaret and David, for one year. The Swinneys promise to pay for the slaves' clothing and medical bills, noting that "Lost time from military violence or running away [will] be deducted from the hire." The contract was signed January 1, 1863 in Howard County, Missouri.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: January 1, 1863

Title: Special Orders, No. 232
Description: This military document, "Special Orders, No. 232", commands Lieut. Col. R.T. Van Horn of the 25th Missouri Volunteer Infantry to report for duty to Brig. Gen. Ewing in Kansas City, Missouri. The document is signed by Maj. Gen. J.M. Schofield, Assistant Adjutant General, at the Head Quarters of the Department of the Missouri in St. Louis on August 26, 1863.
Date: August 26, 1863

Title: Three Dollar Bill
Description: This is a bank note printed in Lawrence, Kansas ca. 1860-1865. It reads: "The Bank of William H.R. Lykins Will pay to Bearer on demand Three Dollars in Current Funds." William H.R. Lykins was the son of Johnston Lykins, the 1854-1855 mayor of Kansas City, Missouri.
Object Type: Currency

Title: Affidavit of Elijah M. McGee
Description: This is Elijah M. McGee's affidavit concerning the August 1863 collapse of the women's military prison in Kansas City, Missouri. McGee states that before the prison collapsed, he entered the adjoining building, saw that its columns had been removed, and predicted that it would collapse. The affidavit is dated September 10, 1863 and signed by McGee and by Philip S. Brown, Jackson County Notary Public.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: September 10, 1863

Title: Affidavit of Solomon S. Smith
Description: This is Solomon S. Smith's affidavit concerning the August 1863 collapse of the women's military prison in Kansas City, Missouri. Smith, a brick mason, states that he built the walls of the prison and the adjoining building, using the "best quality Bricks." He describes the building's construction, then states that the prison could not have collapsed from ordinary usage, but only from "undermining the Walls in Some way or removing the Supports." The affidavit is dated September 10, 1863 and signed by Smith and by Philip S. Brown, Jackson County Notary Public.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: September 10, 1863

Title: From Luke Williams to Jonathan B. Fuller
Description: This letter, dated December 6, 1864, is from Luke Williams in Pleasant Hill, Missouri to Rev. Jonathan B. Fuller. Williams invites Fuller to visit the Union Baptist Church of Cass County, Missouri, and assist the pastor in preaching. "We are in a very cold state as a Church," Williams writes, "torn asunder as it were in consequence of the war."
Date: December 6, 1864

Title: From William Augustus Hall to Oswald Swinney
Description: This letter, ca. 1861-1864, is from William Augustus Hall in Washington to Oswald Swinney in Missouri. Hall says he is attempting to remove the Federal troops from Northern Missouri, where "they are a constant source of arrogance in stealing our negros." He argues that the Enrolled Missouri Militia can adequately protect the region without assistance. He expresses concern about "damage done by rebels" and the possibility of future violence, and he asks Swinney to report on the conditions in Northern Missouri.

Title: From J.B. Henderson to R.T. Van Horn
Description: This letter, dated August 31, 1864, is from J.B. Henderson in Louisiana, Missouri to Col. R.T. Van Horn in Jefferson City, Missouri. Henderson tells Van Horn that before leaving Washington, he spoke with President Lincoln, who said he wanted Van Horn to run for Congress.
Date: August 31, 1864

Title: Proclamation in Support of Rebuilding the Free State Hotel
Description: This proclamation or editorial, ca. August 1863, laments the destruction of the Free State Hotel in Lawrence, Kansas, during Quantrill's Raid on the town: "Pro-Slavery violence has once more poured its wrath upon us." The proclamation recommends the "speedy construction" of a new hotel, and its signers declare their intention to contribute $10,000 toward the project.
Object Type: Circular

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

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