Civil War

Title: From Edward Fitch to Dear Parents
Description: Edward Fitch writes a letter to his parents from Lawrence, Kansas on May 5, 1861. He tells them that if Missouri secedes, Kansas will have to fight. He asks how people in Massachusetts feel about the war, and expresses hope that the “Yankees” will go to battle with the South and not stop until slavery is eradicated. “War is terrible,” he says, “but sometimes it is necessary for the good of the whole world.”
Date: May 5, 1861

Title: Sherman's March to the Sea
Description: Engraving of Sherman's March to the Sea, by Alexander Hay Ritchie.
Object Type: Image

Title: From James H. Lane to Charles A. Foster
Description: This note, dated December 5, 1855, was sent by James H. Lane in Lawrence, Kansas, to Charles A. Foster. The note reads: “We want every true Free State man in Kansas at Lawrence immediately,” probably referring to the conflict known as the Wakarusa War.
Date: December 5, 1855

Title: Payne Jones
Description: Charcoal portrait of Payne Jones in hat, shirt, and pullover typical of Quantrill's guerrillas trimmed with buttons along the shoulders, V neck, and tops of pockets. Jones was part of Quantrill's raid on Lawrence, Kansas, August 21, 1863, and the Centralia, Missouri, massacre on September 27, 1864. After the war, he became a member of the James-Younger gang. According to the "Missouri Republican," November 11, 1867, Jones was shot November 6, 1867, during a robbery attempt.
Object Type: Image

Title: From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description: John A. Bushnell writes a letter from Clinton, Missouri to Eugenia Bronaugh in Hickory Grove, Missouri. In the letter, dated July 3 and 5, 1864, Bushnell expresses fear that his life may be in danger and that his letters may be misconstrued as disloyal. He criticizes traitors and declares that this country was “not made by selfish hands for selfish purposes.” He says that soldiers have left Calhoun, and that he would like to know what they are doing next, but does not want to “manifest any unusual curiosities.” He also mentions hearing a sermon on Independence Day about racial equality.
Object Type: Letter
Date: July 3, 1864-July 5, 1864

Title: 1860 Presidential Election Returns from Caldwell, Carroll, Chariton, and Clay Counties, Missouri
Description: These are the election returns from Caldwell, Carroll, Chariton, and Clay Counties in Missouri for the Presidential election held on November 6, 1860. In Caldwell County, Bell received 367 votes; Douglas 263 votes; Breckenridge 186 votes; and Lincoln 43 votes. In Carroll County, Douglas received 752 votes; Bell 552 votes; Breckenridge 276 votes; and Lincoln 3 votes. In Clay County, Bell received 1,045 votes; Douglas 528 votes; Breckenridge 305 votes; and Lincoln “Nairy Vote.” The Chariton County document accounts for votes from each electoral precinct in the county, but does not provide a list of votes for the individual candidates.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: November 7, 1860-November 10, 1860

Title: From J.F. Snyder to Robert M. Stewart
Description: In this dispatch, dated August 7, 1858, J.F. Snyder reports to Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart on “the true condition of affairs upon the border” in Bates County, Missouri. He informs Stewart that a number of Kansas citizens who sought safety in Missouri returned to Kansas to commit acts of revenge, and were followed back into Missouri by their victims. He adds that citizens of Bates County feel unsafe, and declares that military force is necessary. He suggests that Stewart offer a reward for the capture of five people involved in a recent murder.
Date: August 7, 1858

Title: Fort Riley
Description: This stereograph of Fort Riley, Kansas was taken by Alexander Gardner. Gardner titles the image, "Fort Riley. No longer an outpost, Kansas. 420 miles west of St. Louis, Mo."
Object Type: Image
Date: 1867

Title: From William P. Richardson to Wilson Shannon
Description: This dispatch, dated August 20, 1856, was written by Major General William P. Richardson of the Kansas Militia, Northern Division, at Headquarters at Whitehead, Doniphan County, Kansas, to Kansas Governor Wilson Shannon. Richardson tells Shannon that General James Lane has recruited a large military force and intends to enter Kansas. Richardson says he has issued an order to assemble the Northern Division militia at Whitehead and awaits Shannon’s authorization to employ the troops.
Date: August 20, 1856

Title: From Sara Robinson to "My Dear Martha"
Description: This letter, dated October 19, 1862, is from Sara Robinson in Topeka, Kansas to Martha. Sara reports that her husband, Kansas Gov. Charles Robinson, went to Altoona, Pennsylvania to meet "the Governors," but by the time he arrived they had already gone to Washington, D.C. Charles "had no wish to see the Sec. of War or the President, both of whom have treated him & the young state of Kansas so villainously & did not follow them." Sara states that when Charles returned, he went to St. Louis to see Gen. Curtis.
Object Type: Letter
Date: October 19, 1862

Title: Letters Received (Kansas Provost Marshal's Office)
Description: This notebook is a record of correspondence received by the Kansas Provost Marshal's Office in Leavenworth, Kansas, between 1863 and 1865. Topics addressed include army deserters; American Indians; information about new recruits and substitutions; and special orders from Washington. Participants in the correspondence include Gen. H.S. Halleck; Maj. Gen. John Pope; and Sidney Clarke, Kansas Acting Asst. Provost Marshal General.
Date: 1863-1865

Title: Missouri State Militia Special Order No. 174
Description: By order of Missouri State Militia Major George W. Murphy, Thomas J. Shinn instructs Captain James J. Akard to take his men of the 8th Cavalry Regiment and march to Greenfield, Missouri. Once there, Akard is instructed to report to Captain Calvin S. Moore for further instructions in order to pursue Confederate forces.
Date: June 25, 1864

Title: Excerpt from John Deering's Diary
Description: This excerpt from John Deering’s diary was written between January 5 and June 7, 1858. Deering, who arrived in Kansas Territory from Maine in March 1857, describes daily life in Douglas County, Kansas. Deering records his purchase of a new claim after his own was “taken by Indians,” and his efforts to build a shop in Prairie City, Kansas. On February 27, Deering writes that he attended an election to nominate delegates for the Leavenworth Constitutional Convention. On April 23, he notes that he heard Jim Lane and others speak about the constitution.
Object Type: Diary
Date: January 5, 1858-June 7, 1858

Title: Battle of Westport
Description: Newell Convers Wyeth mural of the Battle of Westport, fought on October 23, 1864, which is displayed at the Missouri State Capitol.
Object Type: Image

Title: James Montgomery
Description: Carte de visite portrait of James Montgomery.

Title: From James Montgomery to George L. Stearns
Description: James Montgomery writes a letter from Mound City, Kansas to George L. Stearns on May 8, 1861. He reports that, “We are in a perilous position here, and have not ammunition enough to make a respectable fight.” He says that he has organized a regiment to help defend Kansas against pro-slavery Missourians, whose troops are camped along the border of Linn and Bourbon counties. He mentions that an Osage Indian chief attacked some of these troops, then “tied them with ropes to the Horns of his Saddles and dragged them out of the country.” Montgomery asks for Stearns’s assistance in acquiring arms and declares that, “If we have to fight, we will carry the war out of Kansas.”
Date: May 8, 1861

Title: From The Few That Are Left to John W. Geary
Description: This letter to Kansas Gov. John W. Geary is dated September 18, 1856 and signed by “The few that are left.” The letter asks Geary to send troops to protect the citizens of Cass County, Missouri; Sugar Mound, Kansas; and Fort Scott, Kansas. “This section of the country has just been ravaged by the war parties from Missouri,” the letter says. “The people here are unarmed and defenseless.”
Date: September 18, 1856

Title: Thomas (Tom) Maupin
Description: Charcoal portrait of Thomas (Tom) Maupin wearing a checked shirt covered by a pullover with decorated pockets and decorations around the V neck. Maupin was part of Quantrill's raid on Lawrence, Kansas, August 21, 1863, and the Centralia, Missouri, massacre on September 27, 1864. "Weekly Graphic" of Kirksville, Missouri, April 7, 1882, page 1, relates that Maupin owned several cattle ranches in Texas; other sources say he was killed near Rocheport on May 24, 1865.
Object Type: Image

Title: Battle of Carthage, Missouri
Description: This drawing, based on a sketch made during the battle on July 5, 1861, shows Union troops under Franz Sigel's command firing upon the Confederate position in Carthage, Missouri.
Object Type: Image
Date: August 3, 1861

Title: From Abishai Stowell to "Dear Sister"
Description: On March 26, 1862, Abishai Stowell writes from Springfield, Missouri to his sister, Margaret. Stowell, a member of Co. A, 2nd Regt., Kansas Volunteers, says that he recently went home and reports that their family was mostly in good health. Stowell asks his sister to write to Jim "and try to persuade him to go home…if he will only stay at home till this war is ended."
Object Type: Letter
Date: March 26, 1862

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

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