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Title: From George H. Hoyt to Charles Robinson
Description: On August 12, 1862, George H. Hoyt writes from Leavenworth, Kansas, to Kansas Gov. Charles Robinson. Hoyt states that Gen. Lane has given Col. Jennison “the authority…to organize the colored regiments in the State…with no conditions of any sort.” Hoyt says that Jennison will be pleased to receive suggestions from Robinson regarding this work.
Date: August 12, 1862

Title: From T.W. Trego to Dear Sister Alice
Description: This letter, dated June 10, 1862, is from T.W. Trego in Chicago to his sister-in-law Alice. He asks Alice about her husband Joseph, a lieutenant in the 5th Kansas Cavalry Regiment. He mentions that Col. Jennison told him that Joseph might have been transferred to the 6th Regiment; he asks Alice whether this is true. T.W. adds that he hopes “the biggest part of the fuss will soon be over so that Joseph can be released from his duties in the field, and devote himself to you.”
Date: June 10, 1862

Title: From Philip St. George Cooke to John W. Geary
Description: This letter, dated September 18, 1856, was written by Lt. Col. Philip St. George Cooke in camp near Lecompton, Kansas to Kansas Gov. John W. Geary. Cooke states that he received Geary’s recent dispatch, but objects to Geary’s instructions to divide his force at Lecompton and cross the river. Cooke argues that if his forces “meet an armed body…it would be under circumstances in which we could not legally stop them.”
Date: September 18, 1856

Title: From Edward Hoogland to John W. Geary
Description: Edward Hoogland writes a letter from Tecumseh, Kansas to Gov. John W. Geary on November 28, 1856. He relays a rumor that a party of ten or eleven men in military uniform unlawfully arrested a criminal named Capt. Holmes and took him across the state line into Jackson County, Missouri. Hoogland asks Geary to investigate the matter and expresses his fear that this “great outrage” might mar the public image of the military and “endanger the peace of the Territory.”
Date: November 28, 1856

Title: From Daniel Woodson to William P. Richardson
Description: This order, dated August 21, 1856, was sent by Acting Kansas Governor Daniel Woodson in Lecompton, Kansas, to Major General William P. Richardson, Kansas Militia, Northern Division. Woodson approves the use of the Northern Division militia to intercept General James Lane and his forces when they attempt to enter Kansas. 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: Letters Relating to Enlistment in Missouri
Description: This is a bound volume of letters written by Col. E.B. Alexander, Chief Mustering Officer of the 10th United States Infantry. The letters, dated August 23 - October 10, 1864, relate to enrollments, quotas, and enlistments of troops in Missouri.
Date: August 23, 1864 - October 10, 1864

Title: From Thomas Carney to James L. McDowell
Description: This letter, dated June 26, 1863, was written by Kansas Governor Thomas Carney in Washington, DC, to James L. McDowell. Carney writes that Edwin Stanton, Secretary of War, has refused to approve Major General Schofield’s order to raise a regiment. Carney says that if necessary he will “foot the bill” himself to defend “helpless women and children” from the “brutal...ruffian raids that have so long cursed our state.”
Date: June 26, 1863

Title: From P. McClanahan to A. Comingo
Description: On December 17, 1863, P. McClanahan writes from Independence, Missouri to Capt. A. Comingo, Provost Marshal for the 6th District of Missouri. McClanahan reports that members of the 11th Kansas Volunteers are camped at Sibley, Missouri, "for the purpose of enticing Negroes from Clay Co." He therefore recommends appointing H.W. Rodewald as a recruiting officer to enlist all black men passing through the area: "I have no doubt but Rodewald would bring them all up."
Date: December 17, 1863

Title: From Sumner Corbin to Frank Walker
Description: Sumner Corbin writes a letter from Linn County, Kansas to his friend Frank Walker on March 4, 1862. He tells Walker that many local men have enlisted in the 3rd and 4th Kansas Volunteer Regiments under the command of Col. Montgomery. He adds that a number of them no longer like Montgomery because he refused to commission Charles Jennison. Since then, Corbin says, Jennison became a Brigadier General of another regiment and has “cleaned out all the border counties of Missouri.”
Date: March 4, 1862

Title: From Samuel R. Ayres to Lyman Langdon
Description: This letter from Samuel R. Ayres to Lyman Langdon is dated January 1, 1863, the day that President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. In his letter, Ayres expresses support for the proclamation, but mentions the possibility of it being revoked and questions whether or not slaves will indeed be set free. Ayres also reports that his two sons are in Gen. Grant’s division of the 7th Kansas Cavalry Regiment and have had to fight nearly every day.
Object Type: Letter
Date: January 1, 1863

Title: From James W. Denver to Robert M. Stewart
Description: This letter was written on August 18, 1858 by Kansas Gov. James W. Denver in Lecompton, Kansas, to Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart. Denver writes that he disagrees with Stewart's decision to "station an armed force along the borders” in response to "the unsettled state of affairs" in southeastern Kansas. Denver asserts that after he sent U.S. and volunteer troops to the “troubled districts,” peace has been fully restored, and that “the only marauders now in this Territory are organized bands of horse thieves, such as are too common in all new countries.”
Object Type: Letter
Date: August 18, 1858

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: From Hamilton R. Gamble to Abraham Lincoln
Description: On May 2, 1863, Missouri Gov. Hamilton R. Gamble writes from St. Louis to President Lincoln. Gamble informs Lincoln about "the perpetration of murders and arsons and other outrages committed by persons connected with the Army…and whose crimes you have the power to restrain." He asks Lincoln to put a stop to the "butcheries" occurring in Missouri's western counties, and suggests that Lincoln replace Gen. Curtis as commander of the district in favor of someone who is "too brave to be cruel."
Object Type: Government Document
Date: May 2, 1863

Title: From A.J. Huntoon to Lizzie P. Huntoon
Description: This letter was written on July 7, 9, and 11, 1861 by A.J. Huntoon in Williamsport, Shawnee County, Kansas, to his wife Lizzie P. Huntoon. A.J. describes a party he attended on July 4 in Topeka, Kansas, and states that he enlisted in the service as part of “the Lane guards.” He says that since Lizzie is away from home, “I feel that there is no excuse for not taking an active part in this struggle for freedom & humanity…Such as can leave should be the first to offer themselves, & I feel that I am one.” A.J. adds that he recruited three local men for his company.
Date: July 7, 1861-July 11, 1861

Title: From Joseph H. Trego to Alice Trego
Description: This letter, dated September 7 and 8, 1862, is from Joseph H. Trego in Helena, Arkansas to his wife Alice. Trego, a lieutenant in the 5th Kansas Cavalry Regiment, reports that he and several of his fellow soldiers are ill, that his regiment is “badly managed,” and that he has considered leaving the regiment. He predicts that “much fighting must necessarily be done this coming winter and we are likely to be called upon to do our full share.”
Date: September 7, 1862-September 8, 1862

Title: From Hamilton R. Gamble to Abraham Lincoln
Description: On September 8, 1862, Missouri Gov. Hamilton R. Gamble writes from St. Louis to President Lincoln. Gamble states that Gen. Lane and Col. Jennison are raising a military force and plan to invade Missouri. Gamble declares that if the invasion is carried out, "I will resist it with all the force I can command and…shall find myself obliged to give the people of Kansas a taste of the evils of war in their own territory." Gamble asks Lincoln to forbid U.S. troops from entering Missouri without permission.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: September 8, 1862

Title: From Charles Adair to Samuel Lyle Adair
Description: This letter was written ca. 1862 by Charles Adair in camp in Missouri to his father Samuel Lyle Adair. Charles reports that his company has been on the march through Missouri and recently passed “Col. Riches camp on cow creek where we found him & his Indians they had had a battle with the sesech a few days before and whipped them…the sesech attacked him & when the Indians heard the firing they shot all the prisoners they had on hand…wheather Richey approved of it or not I do not know, it was a barberous act at any rate.”

Title: From James Montgomery to George L. Stearns
Description: This letter, dated December 10, 1864, was written by James Montgomery in Mound City, Kansas, to Maj. George L. Stearns. Montgomery writes that he resigned his military position due to poor health, but then took command of 15 companies – including two companies of black militia – after the commencement of Price’s Raid. He briefly describes the Battle of Westport, and explains that Price's Raid disrupted planting season. Montgomery asks Stearns about the bounty paid to soldiers in his state, and says that he will bring a few recruits with him when he visits over the winter.
Object Type: Letter
Date: December 10, 1864

Title: From L. Maria Child to James Montgomery
Description: On December 26, 1861, L. Maria Child writes from Wayland, Massachusetts to Col. James Montgomery. Child writes of her interest in and support for Kansas, asking “Are there any regiments, except those from Kansas, upon whom we can rely, with certainty, as the protector of poor hunted slaves?” She discusses the possibility of war with England, and the “strange alliance…of England with slave-holders.” Child says that she has enclosed several knitted several items she made for Montgomery and John Brown, Jr.
Date: December 26, 1861

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

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