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Title: From D.R. Anthony to Dear Father
Description: On December 22, 1861, D.R. Anthony writes a letter to his father, describing recent “skirmishes” with rebels. He says that he and his comrades killed Hurst, a Missouri Confederate colonel, and several of his soldiers. They also gave horses, mules, oxen, wagons, and carriages to 129 slaves and helped them escape to Kansas. Anthony informs his father that he took possession of a Secessionist flag in Harrisonville, Missouri, and adds that he hopes to take Col. Jennison’s position if Jennison is promoted to General.
Object Type: Letter
Date: December 22, 1861

Title: Applications of Moses Chapman
Description: These are Moses Chapman’s applications for compensation from the United States government for the military service of his slaves, Joseph Clark and Samuel A. Creel. The applications, dated November 21, 1866 and January 18, 1867, each include an oath of allegiance to the United States, a statement that Chapman lawfully obtained his slaves, and the signatures of four witnesses and a notary public in Lafayette County, Missouri. Notes on pages six and ten indicate that the applications were rejected.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: November 21, 1864-January 18, 1867

Title: From Calvin Iserman to Brother William
Description: In this letter of September 5, 1858, Calvin Iserman writes from Independence, Missouri to his brother William. Calvin declares that Independence is hostile to free-staters: “Most of the head men of this town, and the wealthiest, are slave holders who…hate a free-state man worse than they do the Devil.” Calvin adds that his father plans to move to Kansas Territory in the fall or spring to live “among some free state men.” The letter includes a separate note to “sister Gus,” possibly written by Calvin’s wife.
Object Type: Letter
Date: September 5, 1858

Title: List of Colored Recruits Enlisted, 6th District Missouri
Description: This February 1864 military roll lists the names of enslaved "colored recruits" who were enlisted in the 30th sub-district of the 6th congressional district of Missouri in Chariton County. The roll provides the soldiers' physical characteristics, occupations, birthplaces, and the names of their owners.
Date: February 1864

Title: From Leigh R. Webber to Miss Brown
Description: On August 12, 1862, Leigh R. Webber writes from Gibson County, Tennessee to Miss Brown. Webber criticizes the government's management of the war, declaring "there is no genuine Union sentiment in the Seceded States, to any extent...Unless the Government feels itself able to subjugate the South, it ought to acknowledge its independence at once. The restoration of the union as it was previous to the war is an impossibility." He refers to Generals Halleck, McClellan, Buell in his letter.
Date: August 12, 1862

Title: From E.B. Alexander to William Fowler
Description: On July 4, 1863, Col. E.B. Alexander, Acting Assistant Provost Marshal General in St. Louis, writes to Capt. William Fowler, Provost Marshal for the 7th District of Missouri. Alexander copies the text of a communication he received from the Provost Marshal General, stating that only free blacks, and not slaves, may be enrolled in the U.S. service.
Date: July 4, 1863

Title: From John Stillman Brown to John L. Rupur
Description: On September 1, 1863, John Stillman Brown writes a letter to John L. Rupur about Quantrill's August 21 Raid on Lawrence. He lists the names of friends who were killed in the raid, and describes watching the bushwhackers from a hill west of Lawrence "as they went to their work of death, burning and plunder." He also mentions seeing "the brave" Gen. James Henry Lane.
Object Type: Letter
Date: September 1, 1863

Title: List of Colored Recruits Enlisted, 6th District Missouri
Description: This February 1864 military roll lists the names of enslaved "colored recruits" who were enlisted in the 30th sub-district of the 6th congressional district of Missouri in Chariton County. The roll provides the soldiers' physical characteristics, occupations, birthplaces, and the names of their owners.
Date: February 1864

Title: From James Henry Lane to Dr. Speer
Description: This letter, dated April 11, 1866, is from Senator James Henry Lane to Dr. Speer. Lane informs Speer that he intends to defend his controversial stance on the Civil Rights Bill, which he believes is “injurious to the best interests of the black man.” Lane claims that if he fails to convince the people of Kansas that he is correct, then he will surrender the position he holds in Legislature.
Date: April 11, 1866

Title: From Josiah Miller to Dear Father and Mother
Description: This letter, dated January 25, 1856, is from Josiah Miller in Lawrence, Kansas to his parents living in a Southern state. Miller tells his parents about a recent election for Kansas state officers that ended in a skirmish between Free State men and proslavery men, including some from Missouri. He predicts that "this slavery question" will result in civil war, and urges his parents to move to a free state.
Object Type: Letter
Date: January 25, 1856

Title: From James Montgomery to George L. Stearns
Description: This letter, dated March 11, 1861, was written by James Montgomery in Mound City, Kansas, to George L. Stearns. Montgomery offers his opinion of sending fugitive slaves to Canada: “it will cost less to protect them here…and, besides, the principle is much better.” He believes that “Kansas is truly a free state, and ever shall be. A fugitive can travel as safely here, in Southern Kansas, as he can in Canada.” Montgomery adds that a free African-American was recently kidnapped by the Missouri Militia, because his guns had not been kept in firing condition.
Date: March 11, 1861

Title: From Unknown to John Ament
Description: This letter, dated September 29, 1855, was sent by an unknown writer to John Ament. The writer proposes to buy John’s interest in the land and slaves on his father’s estate for $500 or 550 acres of land warrants. To defend his offer, he describes the estate land as “poor…and worn out,” and worth no more than $500. He adds that several of the estate’s slaves are too old or sick to be “worth much.”
Object Type: Letter
Date: September 29, 1855

Title: Emancipation of Eliza Jane
Description: These documents include the bill of sale and the letter of emancipation for a slave, Eliza Jane. The bill of sale, signed and dated December 5, 1844 by Alexander Duncan, confers Eliza Jane and two other slaves to Jeremiah and Nancy Smith of Nodaway County, Missouri for the sum of $550. The letter of emancipation is signed and dated August 31, 1863 by Jeremiah and Nancy Smith. It states that the Smiths “forever set FREE a certain Woman of color, named Eliza Jane, aged twenty-five years.”
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: December 5, 1844 and August 31, 1863

Title: From George Collamore to George L. Stearns
Description: This letter, dated July 21, 1862, is from George Collamore in Lawrence, Kansas to George L. Stearns. Collamore reports “almost unanimous” support in Kansas for the proposal to enlist African Americans in the military. He predicts that at least two African-American regiments could be raised in Kansas, but he warns Stearns that “various irresponsible persons are maneuvering here for commissions in such regiments.”
Date: July 21, 1862

Title: From Joseph H. Trego to Alice Trego
Description: This letter, dated December 21, 1863, is from Joseph H. Trego, a lieutenant in the 5th Kansas Cavalry Regiment, to his wife Alice. He informs Alice that his regiment has just arrived at Fort Smith, Arkansas and that they have settled into warm and comfortable quarters. He jokes about “flirting around with the secesh ladies” and says it is possible he will be home by Christmas.
Object Type: Letter
Date: December 21, 1863

Title: From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description: John A. Bushnell writes a letter to Eugenia Bronaugh in Calhoun, Missouri on October 5, 1863. He mentions having a conversation with a stranger in St. Louis and says it is important to be careful when meeting new people because they may be spies. Spies and detectives are necessary in war, he argues, but they sometimes make errors at the expense of the people they are supposed to protect. He tells Eugenia about a Dr. Zimmerman who was arrested, tried, and shot after fighting Bushwhackers who invaded his home. Still, Bushnell has hope for justice: “like Death it is sure to come.”
Date: October 5, 1863

Title: "Auction & Negro Sales," Whitehall Street
Description: Black and white photograph of an Atlanta, Georgia, slave market taken my George N. Barnard, official photographer of the Chief Engineer's Office, while Sherman's army occupied the city before the famous "March to the Sea" during the Savannah Campaign.
Object Type: Image

Title: From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description: John A. Bushnell writes a letter from St. Louis to Eugenia Bronaugh of Hickory Grove, Missouri. In the letter, dated December 14, 1863, Bushnell says that he would like to return to Henry County, but is concerned about his safety. He also tells her that he feels it is his duty to take care of his recently freed slaves, and says that he wants to rent a house for them and help them to “see what freedom is.”
Object Type: Letter
Date: December 14, 1863

Title: Emancipation Proclamation. Proclamation by the Governor
Description: Commemorative print celebrating the emancipation of Missouri slaves by ordinance of Governor Thomas C. Fletcher on January 11, 1865.
Object Type: Image

Title: From Calvin Iserman to Brother William
Description: This letter, dated January 20, 1861, was sent by Calvin Iserman in Independence, Missouri, to his brother William. Calvin writes that Independence is “in favor of secession,” and predicts “there is going to be a civil war.” He fears being driven from Missouri along with other “Eastern men,” adding that those who voted for Lincoln are also under threat. Calvin describes a foiled “abolitionist” raid on a Missouri plantation (possibly Walker’s Raid of December 10, 1860), in which all the attackers were killed.
Date: January 20, 1861

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

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