Civil War

Title: From John Stillman Brown to William Brown
Description: On February 14, 1858, John Stillman Brown writes a letter from Lawrence, Kansas to his son William. Brown criticizes the Lecompton Constitution and declares that "Our politics, like the weather, are some what squally." He predicts an influx of immigrants to Kansas, and states his belief that "Kansas is sure to be Free. In two years there will not be a slave in Kansas."
Date: February 14, 1858

Title: From Frederick Starr to My Dear Father
Description: On February 22, 1855, Frederick Starr writes from Weston, Missouri to his father. Starr recounts a recent speech he gave regarding slavery: “I consider slavery a moral and political evil…and the only wedge of contention which threatens to disturb & divide the Union. I am a Colonizationist.” He derides anyone falsely accusing him of being an abolitionist, stating that their lies “steal not only my property, but my comfort, my friendships, my domestic quietude, my influence, respect, and good name.” Starr adds that after he gave his speech, Gen. Stringfellow incited the crowd by encouraging an armed invasion into Kansas.
Date: February 22, 1855

Title: Application of William D. McHatton and William S. Drummond
Description: This is an application for compensation from the United States government for the military service of Malinda D. Grave’s slave, Henry Johnson. William D. McHatton and William S. Drummond, executors to Grave’s estate, filed the application on December 19, 1866. It includes an oath of allegiance to the United States, a statement that Grave lawfully obtained her slave, and the signatures of four witnesses and a notary public in Lafayette County, Missouri. A note in pencil on the third page indicates that the application was rejected.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: December 19, 1866

Title: List of Colored Recruits Enlisted, 6th District Missouri
Description: This military roll lists the names of "colored men" who were enlisted in the 6th congressional district of Missouri, in Caldwell County, and then transferred to St. Louis. The document, dated March 10, 1860, is addressed to Capt. A. Comingo, Provost Marshal, and is signed by John C. Dillard, Enrolling Officer.
Date: March 10, 1860

Title: From John Brown, Jr. to My Dear Friend
Description: This letter, dated July 18, 1862, is from John Brown, Jr., a former member of the 7th Kansas Cavalry Regiment, to his friend Parker Pillsbury. Last winter, Brown writes, he and his regiment helped to free more than 2,000 slaves. Now, he says, the commander of the regiment, Lieut. Col. Daniel R. Anthony, is under arrest. Brown includes a copy of a letter he received from another friend, Arthur T. Reeve, concerning Brig. Gen. Mitchell's arrest of Anthony. Brown writes: “His arrest for such a cause is in the estimation of every true man a greater honor than to have won a battle.”
Object Type: Letter
Date: June 26, 1862-July 18, 1862

Title: From George Collamore to G.L. Stearns
Description: This letter was written on October 23, 1861 by George Collamore in Lawrence, Kansas to G.L. Stearns. Collamore writes that Kansas cannot expect a good harvest next year because so many men have volunteered for the service and left the state. He says that “large numbers of fugitives from Missouri…are daily arriving,” and many of them lack clothing for the winter. Collamore adds that “slavery is fast disappearing in Missouri,” and may be completely abolished within six months.
Object Type: Letter
Date: October 23, 1861

Title: From Mrs. Silliman to My Dear Brother
Description: This letter, dated August 24, 1862, is from Mrs. Silliman to her brother. She describes the “horror” of life in Warrensburg, Missouri, which has been invaded by both Bushwhackers and Jayhawkers, and is now “swarming with runaway slaves.” She complains about her health and says that the black girl who was caring for her was lured away to Kansas by soldiers. She also describes how her son Oscar avoided military service: “he was exempted from drafting, as not being ‘able bodied,’ caused by an internal injury.”
Date: August 24, 1862

Title: From Calvin Iserman to Brother William
Description: In this letter of October 3, 1858, Calvin Iserman writes from Independence, Missouri to his brother William. Calvin wants to leave Independence, where non-slaveholders are “counted just nobody at all," and “a poor man, and mechanic is looked upon as no better than a slave.” He declares that “any man East that upholds Slavery…should be made to live in a Slave State all of his life time.” Calvin plans to go to Kansas Territory and “take a look around.”
Object Type: Letter
Date: October 3, 1858

Title: From E.B. Alexander to A. Comingo
Description: On December 31, 1863, Col. E.B. Alexander, Acting Assistant Provost Marshal General in St. Louis, writes to Capt. A. Comingo, Provost Marshal for the 6th District of Missouri, in Lexington, Missouri. Alexander informs Comingo that "Recruiting Agents appointed by the Provost Marshal General have nothing to do with the Enlistment of slaves." He refers Comingo to Col. J. Broadhead, in the Department of the Provost Marshal General, for information on that subject.
Date: December 31, 1863

Title: From Thomas Carney to E.M. Stanton
Description: This telegram, dated May 9, 1863, is from Kansas Gov. Thomas Carney to E.M. Stanton, U.S. Secretary of War. Carney, writing from Leavenworth, Kansas, requests permission from Stanton to raise a regiment of Home Guards for border protection, as well as two or more “Negro Regiments for General service.” Carney adds that “A portion of the State will be depopulated unless protection given.”
Object Type: Telegram
Date: May 9, 1863

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: From Manoah Miles to A. Comingo
Description: On March 13, 1864, Manoah Miles, Enrolling Officer for the 37th and 38th subdistricts, 6th District Missouri, writes from Ridgely, Missouri to Capt. A. Comingo, Provost Marshal, 6th District Missouri. Miles sends a list of soldiers recruited in Preston, Missouri between August and October 1863; the list includes nine recruits under the age of 20. Miles adds that he will begin enrolling slaves in his districts, but says he may not have time to complete the work in six days.
Date: March 13, 1864

Title: From Charles T. Gilman to Albert G. Boone
Description: In this letter, dated September 16 and 17, 1856, Charles T. Gilman informs Col. Albert G. Boone that 20 abolitionists recently launched an attack on the proslavery citizens living near Council Grove, Kansas. Gilman states that the attackers stole horses and mules, wounded a woman, and threatened to burn down houses and force the proslavery men out of Kansas. They also claimed that they would return in four days with 400 men; Gilman tells Boone that the people of Council Grove have been awaiting their arrival and have plenty of arms and ammunition to defend themselves.
Object Type: Letter
Date: September 16, 1856-September 17, 1856

Title: John R. Howe against William Mitchell
Description: Dated November 7, 1859, this document states that its signers will pay a sum of $400 to John P. Bowman, Lafayette County sheriff, for a female slave aged about 42 years. The slave was “sold by said sheriff...in the Probate Court of Lafayette County” as part of a lawsuit brought by John R. Howe against William Mitchell.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: November 7, 1859

Title: Letters Sent (Provost Marshal's Office, 7th District Missouri)
Description: This notebook contains copies of letters sent from the Provost Marshal's Office, 7th District of Missouri, in St. Joseph, Missouri, between July 15, 1863 and June 30, 1864. The correspondence, written by Capt. William Fowler, Provost Marshal of the 7th District, addresses such topics as military enrollment and recruitment of free blacks, army deserters, and management of the draft. Correspondents include Missouri Provost Marshal General E.B. Alexander and U.S. Provost Marshal General James B. Fry.
Date: July 15, 1863-June 30, 1864

Title: Clarina Irene Howard Nichols
Description: Engraving of Clarina I.H. Nichols, prominent activist and journalist, from an 1887 publication of the "History of Woman Suffrage".
Object Type: Image
Date: 1887

Title: From Florella Brown Adair to Samuel Lyle Adair
Description: On November 30, 1862, Florella Brown Adair writes from Osawatomie, Kansas, to her husband Samuel Lyle Adair. Florella discusses various household and community matters, stating that she has “a black woman coming to help me.” She says she heard a report that Gen. Blunt was going to Fort Smith with his whole command, and also heard that their son Charles was involved in battle and was “among the first to take the Rebbel Battery.”
Date: November 30, 1862

Title: From William Heryford Jr. to Lisbon Applegate
Description: This letter, dated March 24, 1865, is from William Heryford, Jr. to Lisbon Applegate in Keytesville, Chariton County, Missouri. Heryford states that he had contracted a black girl named Rose to work in his home for a year, but her master, Mr. Hyde, violated their contract by taking her home prematurely. Heryford requests that Applegate hire an attorney for him, and complains that “Mr. Hyde is the last man friend . . . to take advantage of me after the many favors Ive done him during this unholy war.”
Object Type: Letter
Date: March 24, 1865

Title: 1st Kansas Colored Infantry flag
Description: Regimental flag of the First Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry, who triumphed over the Missouri State Guard in the Battle of Island Mound. It was the first battle of the Civil War to be fought by a regiment of African-American soldiers.
Object Type: Image

Title: Ho for Kansas!
Description: One of Benjamin "Pap" Singleton's fliers urging African Americans to leave for Kansas. Ultimately, Singleton's advertisements prompted thousands of individuals and families to leave the South.
Object Type: Leaflet
Date: March 18, 1878

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

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