Civil War

Title: From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description: John A. Bushnell writes a letter to Eugenia Bronaugh on August 18, 1863. He describes the beautiful scenery and overwhelming heat in Calhoun, Missouri. He complains about those who do not fear the law, claiming they would “sink the government, their neighbors—everything for their own dear personal safety.”
Date: August 18, 1863

Title: Application of Ira C. Darby
Description: This is Ira C. Darby’s application for compensation from the United States government for the military service of his slave, Henry Franklin. The application, dated November 17, 1866, includes an oath of allegiance to the United States, a power of attorney transfer to Isaac C. Dodge, and a statement that Darby lawfully obtained his slave. The application is signed by two witnesses in Howard County, Missouri and by a notary public in Cooper County, Missouri. A note in pencil on the last page indicates that the application was rejected.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: November 17, 1866

Title: From Daniel Woodson to John Sedgwick
Description: This dispatch, dated July 7, 1856, was sent by Acting Kansas Gov. Daniel Woodson in Lecompton, Kansas, to Major John Sedgwick. Woodson instructs Sedgwick to furnish Deputy Marshal William P. Fain with a small detachment of troops to assist him in issuing writs.
Date: July 7, 1856

Title: From P. McClanahan to A. Comingo
Description: On December 23, 1863, P. McClanahan writes from Independence, Missouri to Capt. A. Comingo in Lexington, Missouri. McClanahan discusses various financial matters and informs Comingo that William Rodewald should begin enlisting black men in the service as soon as possible: "Some five negroes passed through here last night which he would have got had he had his papers--There is a recruiting Officer here now from the State of Kansas and unless Rodewald gets his documents soon I fear it will be [too] late."
Date: December 23, 1863

Title: From Wilson Shannon to Franklin Pierce
Description: This letter, dated June 27, 1856, was written by Kansas Gov. Wilson Shannon in St. Louis to President Franklin Pierce. Shannon informs Pierce that after recent “troubles” in Kansas Territory, the area is no longer threatened by any “illegal military bodies” as far as he knows. Shannon believes that the presence of federal troops helped to restore peace, and states that these troops should be maintained in Kansas to help suppress future conflicts. Shannon is particularly concerned about the threat of civil unrest if the Free State legislature meets, as planned, on July 4, 1856.
Object Type: Letter
Date: June 27, 1856

Title: Plat and drawings of Aubry, Johnson County, Kansas
Description: This page from an 1874 plat book of Johnson County, Kansas includes a map of Aubry, Kansas and drawings of four Aubry Township residencies and stock farms, owned by W. H. Brady, John H. Troutman, J. H. Lusher, and E. F. Thompson.
Object Type: Image
Date: 1874

Title: From C.F. Smith to A. Comingo
Description: On December 10, 1863, C.F. Smith, Enrolling Officer for the 9th subdistrict of Missouri, writes to Capt. A. Comingo, Provost Marshal for the 6th District of Missouri. Smith reiterates that "the enrolling business" in his district was completed on November 28, and that he already sent Comingo a list of 150 names. Smith says that if Comingo has not received his earlier communication, he will provide a second copy.
Date: December 10, 1863

Title: From Samuel H. Robertson to Sterling Price
Description: This letter was written ca. October 7, 1854 by Samuel H. Robertson in Bates County, Missouri, to Missouri Gov. Sterling Price. Robertson states that Osage Indians have been crossing the state line into Missouri to steal horses and crops, and asks Price for protection against this “Indian outrage and oppression.” He suggests that Price call some military companies into service for this purpose, and says that the Osage should be prevented from crossing the state line without written permission from their agent.
Object Type: Letter

Title: Quarterly Return of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores, March 31, 1863
Description: This military document is a quarterly return of ordnance and ordnance stores for Company "A" 8th Cavalary Regiment Missouri State Militia under the command of Captain David D. Stockton. This document covers the first quarter of 1863.
Date: March 31, 1863

Title: Camp Blood, near Pilot Knob, Missouri
Description: This sketch by a volunteer correspondent, originally published in Harper’s Weekly on September 21, 1861, depicts Camp Blood, near Pilot Knob, Missouri. Pilot Knob Mountain is shown to the right as it was before heavy ore excavation during and after the Civil War. Camp Blood became Fort Davidson in 1863 when permanent fortification was constructed.
Object Type: Image
Date: September 21, 1861

Title: John Caldwell Calhoun
Description: John C. Calhoun, President of the Lecompton Constitutional Convention.
Object Type: Image
Date: n.d.

Title: Newell W. Spicer and Friend Dick
Description: This portrait, taken ca. 1861-1865, depicts Newell W. Spicer and his friend Dick. Both served in the First Kansas Volunteer Infantry.
Object Type: Image

Title: General Orders, No. 2
Description: Col. J.J. Gravely and Lieut. H. Mitchel of the Missouri State Militia issued General Order No. 2 on August 26, 1864. They instruct officers of companies stationed in Springfield, Missouri to prohibit their soldiers from leaving camp without permission. As punishment, "any soldier found absent from his command . . . will be arrested and confined."
Date: August 26, 1864

Title: Abraham Lincoln, Candidate for U.S. President, Before Delivering His Cooper Union Address in New York City
Description: Photograph of presidential candidate Abraham Lincoln prior to his Cooper Union speech, one of the most critical in his successful campaign for the presidency.
Object Type: Image
Date: February 27, 1860

Title: From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description: John A. Bushnell writes from St. Louis, Missouri on August 4, 1864 to Eugenia Bronaugh in Hickory Grove, Missouri. John worries about tension between the radical and conservative parties, declaring there is “more bitter feeling between them than ever was between the Secesh and Union parties.” John believes it may not be prudent for him to return home, because of “the way I was treated before I left, and the way I have been treated since I left.” He hints that he must censor his letter since “it might be seen by others.”
Date: August 4, 1864

Title: From Lisbon Applegate to William Heryford, Jr.
Description: This letter, dated January 15, 1865, is from Lisbon Applegate in Keytesville, Chariton County, Missouri, to William Heryford, Jr. Applegate reports that he sold Heryford’s hogs, but has not yet sold his cows: “the buyers here are endeavoring to get stock at almost nothing, taking advantage of the disturbances in the country.” He adds that many local citizens plan to leave the area because of the current turmoil.
Date: January 15, 1865

Title: From W. Leonard Birney to A. Comingo
Description: This letter, dated November 9, 1863, is from Sgt. W. Leonard Birney in Plattsburg, Missouri to Capt. A. Comingo, Provost Marshal of the 6th district of Missouri. Birney states that he has enclosed vouchers for military expenditures and asks Comingo to verify whether he filled them out correctly.
Date: November 9, 1863

Title: John Doy and Rescue Party
Description: Photograph taken by Amon Gilbert DaLee in Lawrence, Kansas Territory in the summer of 1859 depicting Dr. John Doy, his son Charles, and his rescue party, which freed him from the St. Joseph, MO jail on July 23, 1859, where he was being held on charges of abducting slaves.
Object Type: Image
Date: 1859

Title: William Jenkins
Description: This sepia carte de visite depicts Capt. William Jenkins, who served in Company C, Seventh Kansas Volunteer Cavalry. The photograph, ca. 1861-1865, was produced by Armstead & White of Corinth, Mississippi.
Object Type: Image

Title: From Elias Stover to William Sayer Blakely
Description: Elias Stover writes a letter from Camp Blair, Kansas on March 25, 1862 to his friend William Sayer Blakely. Three days prior, Stover says, he marched into Missouri along with Maj. Pomeroy and 70 other men from the 2nd Kansas Cavalry Regiment. They ambushed a house where William Quantrill and his men were staying; they killed eight people, took six prisoner, stole horses and arms, and burned down the house, but Quantrill escaped.
Date: March 25, 1862

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

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