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Title: From Edward Fitch to Dear Mother
Description: Edward Fitch of Lawrence, Kansas writes a letter to his mother in Massachusetts on June 15, 1856. He voices disappointment with James Buchanan and predicts that if John C. Fremont is not elected president, Kansas will be admitted to the Union as a slave state. Yet he expresses optimism that “the death knell of slavery has been tolled.” He reports that Colonel Sumner has been gathering troops in Palmyra, Kansas, and he predicts that violence will ensue. He adds that in Lawrence, a number of Free State men have been robbed, and that “Men are being found dead more or less every little while.”
Date: June 15, 1856

Title: From D.M. Frost to Robert M. Stewart
Description: This dispatch, dated November 27, 1860, is from Brig. Gen. D.M. Frost to Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart. Frost states that he has just arrived in Smithton, Pettis County, Missouri, and is preparing for an expedition. He also tells Stewart that James Montgomery and his band of guerrillas invaded Missouri, captured a citizen, and hanged him in Kansas. He adds that some people have left the area out of fear for their lives.
Date: November 27, 1860

Title: From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description: On June 27, 1863, John A. Bushnell of Calhoun, Missouri writes a letter to Eugenia Bronaugh in Hickory Grove, Missouri, expressing fear for her safety. He shares a rumor of “men going to your house” and targeting the Bronaugh family. He makes reference to “a systematic effort to get you out of the country.” Bushnell also mentions the Kansas raids, but he expresses frustration about receiving inconsistent information and complains that neither newspapers nor rumors are reliable.
Date: June 27, 1863

Title: Petition of P. Fuller and Wm. Moore of Centropolis
Description: This petition, written ca. 1856, is addressed to Kansas Gov. John W. Geary and is signed by P. Fuller and William Moore of Centropolis, Kansas. Fuller and Moore request, on behalf of the citizens of Douglas County, that Geary send troops to protect them from armed men in the area. The petitioners claim that 600-700 armed men were recently spotted marching near Sugar Creek and Turkey Creek.
Object Type: Petition

Title: From Sterling Price to John W. Geary
Description: This letter, dated September 9, 1856, was written by Sterling Price on Executive Department letterhead in Jefferson City, Missouri, to Kansas Gov. John W. Geary. Price believes that the Missouri citizens currently in Kansas are there to “protect their friends and relatives in Kansas from the murderer, the incendiary, and the robber,” and will disband immediately upon Geary’s order. Price states that if he is wrong, he will do everything in his power to assist Geary in quelling the “disturbance.”
Date: September 9, 1856

Title: From W.J. Patterson to Sterling Price
Description: This telegram is from W.J. Patterson in Parkville, Missouri to Gov. Sterling Price in Jefferson City, Missouri. The telegram, dated April 26, 1855, states that an armed mob destroyed Patterson’s printing press and threatened to kill the citizens of Platte County if they did not leave. Patterson, an editor of a Free Soil paper, The Parkville Luminary, asks Gov. Price to send state authorities to protect the county, emphasizing that danger is imminent.
Object Type: Telegram
Date: April 26, 1855

Title: From A. Comingo to E.B. Alexander
Description: This dispatch, dated November 19, 1863, is from Capt. A. Comingo, Provost Marshal of the 6th district of Missouri, to Col. E.B. Alexander, Acting Assistant Provost Marshal General of Missouri. Comingo asks for Alexander's help in procuring military escorts for an Enrolling Officer. The officer will be recruiting volunteers in Lafayette County, which is threatened by "a few guerrillas prowling around."
Date: November 19, 1863

Title: From Robert M. Stewart to Samuel Medary
Description: This letter, dated December 31, 1858, is from Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart to Kansas Gov. Samuel Medary. Stewart reports a recent invasion by James Montgomery and his “band of marauders” and says that he has received a request to send an officer to the border to capture armed men and prevent Montgomery from escaping. Stewart also informs Medary that the Missouri General Assembly is in session and will discuss preventing further invasions and bringing the guilty to justice.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: December 31, 1858

Title: From Mary E. Bedford to Alex M. Bedford
Description: On August 11, 1863, Mary E. Bedford writes from her home to her husband, Alex M. Bedford. Mary says that she has not yet received her permit to visit him, and writes that she hopes the war will soon end. She says that she is ready to go to Kentucky to stay with relatives, because although “times are better hear now…the Lord only knows how long [they] may stay so.” Mary also informs Alex that Cousin Oscar is in Tennessee serving in General Wheeler’s army.
Date: August 11, 1863

Title: From S.G. Allen to Robert M. Stewart
Description: This letter, dated May 30, 1858, was written by S.G. Allen in Harrisonville, Missouri, to Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart. Allen states that three military companies have been organized in Bates and Cass Counties in Missouri “to act only in self defence” against guerrillas from Kansas. Allen asks Stewart to provide additional protection for the citizens, explaining that “new depredations have been committed new threats have been made and vigorous preparations are going on just over the line—what is to be the end God only knows.”
Date: May 30, 1858

Title: From Edward Fitch to Dear Parents
Description: Edward Fitch of Lawrence, Kansas writes a letter to his parents in Massachusetts on September 30, 1855. He tells them that the pro-slavery faction will vote the next day to elect a Congressional delegate; however, the Free State Party intends to boycott the election. The Free State Party will instead vote on "Tuesday the 9th" and elect another candidate, at which point "Congress must decide which is entitled to a seat." According to rumors, Fitch says, proslavery Missourians plan to attack Lawrence and “kill all the Yankees.”
Date: September 30, 1855

Title: From Robert M. Stewart to G.A. Parsons
Description: This dispatch, dated June 10, 1858, is from Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart to Adj. Gen. G.A. Parsons. Stewart restates previous orders for Parsons to limit his military actions to the defense of Missouri citizens and to refrain from crossing the Kansas border. He emphasizes that Missouri citizens should avoid participating in any aggression against Kansas citizens, and urges Parsons to “do all in your power to promote peace.”
Date: June 10, 1858

Title: From A.J. Huntoon to My Dear Wife
Description: This letter, dated September 4, 1861, is from A.J. Huntoon to his wife Lizzie. He reports that his regiment, a part of Lane’s Brigade, has recently moved to Camp Lincoln in Bourbon County, Kansas. He describes several recent battles between his regiment and a large contingent of Secessionists. He tells Lizzie that he has been put in charge of a military hospital, and he discusses caring for wounded soldiers. He states that his regiment is anticipating and preparing for an imminent attack.
Date: September 4, 1861

Title: From Daniel Woodson to A.M. Coffey
Description: This order, dated August 30, 1856, was sent by Acting Kansas Governor Daniel Woodson in Lecompton, Kansas, to Major General A.M. Coffey, Kansas Militia, Southern Division. Woodson directs Coffey to move his division in the direction of Lawrence, Kansas in response to the threat of guerrilla violence from James Lane’s forces. Woodson writes that since Lane’s reinforcements are “constantly coming in on the north side…he should be routed at the earliest practicable period.”
Date: August 30, 1856

Title: From Robert M. Stewart to Samuel Medary
Description: This letter, dated April 8, 1859, is from Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart to Kansas Gov. Samuel Medary. Stewart states that he has ordered Adj. Gen. G.A. Parsons to patrol the state line in Cass, Bates, and Vernon Counties, to protect Missouri citizens and repel attacks from bands of Kansas guerrillas. He adds that the Missouri General Assembly has given him authority to use $30,000 for protection of the state border. Stewart asks for Medary’s cooperation in preventing violence.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: April 8, 1859

Title: From R.A. Boggess to Robert M. Stewart
Description: This letter was written on May 22, 1858 by R.A. Boggess in Harrisonville, Missouri, to Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart in Jefferson City, Missouri. In this letter of introduction for S.G. Allen, Boggess informs Stewart that Allen will present him with a paper concerning “matters of very great importance…to the section of country in which we live.” Boggess refers Stewart to Allen for additional information, since “he is thoroughly acquainted with the minutia.”
Date: May 22, 1858

Title: From Daniel Woodson to A.M. Coffey
Description: This order, dated August 21, 1856, was sent by Acting Kansas Governor Daniel Woodson in Lecompton, Kansas, to Major General A.M. Coffey, Kansas Militia, Southern Division. Woodson orders Coffey to proceed with his division to Palmyra, Kansas in response to ongoing guerrilla raids. Woodson emphasizes that the militia must protect all peaceable citizens and their property regardless of their political views. He adds that no houses may be destroyed unless they are proven to be used as forts or arsenals against the territorial government.
Date: August 21, 1856

Title: Petition for a Provision Train to Leavenworth
Description: This petition, dated September 18, 1856, requests that Kansas Gov. John W. Geary send a provision train to Leavenworth. It states: “Hundreds of our citizens are suffering – almost starving for supplies that could be easily obtained by your aid in three days. It seems impossible to wait until next week, and we hope you will give our case your earliest possible attention.” The petition is signed by ten citizens of Leavenworth, Kansas.
Object Type: Petition
Date: September 18, 1856

Title: From D.A.W. Morehouse to Robert M. Stewart
Description: This letter was written on February 21, 1859 by D.A.W. Morehouse in Papinsville, Missouri, to Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart. Morehouse shares “startling news” brought from Lawrence, Kansas by U.S. Deputy Marshal A.J. Russes. While held prisoner in Lawrence for ten days, Russes learned that “depredations” would again be committed in the border counties of Missouri, and that James Lane, commanding a force of 1,000 men, planned to enter Platte County, Missouri to free two prisoners held there for kidnapping slaves in the state.
Date: February 21, 1859

Title: From J.F. Snyder to Robert M. Stewart
Description: This dispatch is from J.F. Snyder to Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart. Snyder writes from the headquarters of the 6th Division, Missouri Militia, in Polk County, Missouri on December 12, 1860. He reports that he followed Stewart’s orders and “made thorough organization of the militia” in Bates, Vernon, and Barton Counties, but states that they have neither arms nor ammunition. Snyder warns Stewart that if the militia is not armed, they will continue to be “at the mercy of the outlaws of Kansas.”
Date: December 12, 1860

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

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