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Title: From William Nelson to Kate Newland
Description: William Nelson, a Union soldier, writes a letter from Fort Riley, Kansas to Kate Newland on June 1, 1862. Nelson regrets that his regiment is stationed in Kansas, and admits that “My career as a soldier certainly does not seem destined to be a brilliant one.” He writes that he would prefer to serve in the South, despite rumors of rampant illness there, because he feels that his place is “where the danger is most threatening.”
Object Type: Letter
Date: June 1, 1862

Title: Application of George Anderson
Description: This is George Anderson’s application for compensation from the United States government for the military service of his slave, Robert. The documents, dated December 30 and 31, 1866, include an oath of allegiance to the United States, a statement that Anderson lawfully obtained his slave, and the signatures of two witnesses and a notary public. The application was filed by Anderson’s attorney, John M. Richardson, in Pettis County, Missouri.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: December 30, 1866-December 31, 1866

Title: From Abishai Stowell to "Dear Sister"
Description: On October 14, 1863, Abishai Stowell writes from Springfield, Missouri to his sister. Stowell reports that he was recently home on furlough, and says the family wants to move away from their home. He thinks this is unnecessary: "Our folks live in a place where there is no danger from the Indians & but little from the Guirilas." Stowell believes that many girls are so "afraid that the men will all be killed off before this war ends...they marry men that they would not think of speaking to 4 years ago."
Date: October 14, 1863

Title: From James Griffing to Cuttie
Description: This October 30, 1864 letter was written by James Griffing in Lincoln, to Cuttie. James describes General Price’s capture of the arsenal at Topeka, declaring “The Topeka boys fought like tigers.” He gives an account of acquaintances killed in the Battle of Westport, adding that he believes “Missouri will be safer now.” He cautions Cuttie not to buy much at current prices, since “everything is bound to change after the election.”
Date: October 30, 1864

Title: Price's Raid
Description: Samuel J. Reader painting of Price's Raid when Reader was a Union prisoner of war amongst the Rebel Army from October 22-25, 1864, escaping shortly after the Battle of Mine Creek. Reader made this painting the following year at his home in Indianola (just north of downtown Topeka), Kansas. Reader labels the painting, "'Close Up' 'Double Quick!' Members of the 2nd Regiment Kansas State Militia, prisoners of war. 'Price Raid', October, AD. 1864. An eye-witness. On the way to 'Camp Ford' prison pen, near Tyler, Texas".
Object Type: Image
Date: February 13, 1865

Title: From John C. Gage to Dear Friends
Description: This letter, dated December 8, 1862, was written by John C. Gage in Kansas City, Missouri to friends in Pelham, New Hampshire. Declaring that the “guerrillas” have gone, John describes how his community has been altered by the war: “It is the common course of things for anybody to get killed. Even their own families hardly seem to mourn for them.” He adds that those injured in battle are often seen “about the streets with their crutches.”
Date: December 8, 1862

Title: From Thomas Carney to James L. McDowell
Description: This letter, dated February 9, 1864, was written by Kansas Governor Thomas Carney in Topeka, Kansas to Major General James L. McDowell. Carney orders McDowell to organize and assume command of the Topeka militia for the purpose of protecting the city and its vicinity from guerrilla attacks. Carney states that he will promptly grant any necessary assistance in securing the public safety.
Object Type: Letter
Date: February 9, 1864

Title: General Orders, No. 38
Description: Maj. Gen. Samuel Curtis issued General Order No. 38 from the Department of the Missouri Headquarters in St. Louis on May 22, 1863. The order details the proceedings of recent Military Commissions in St. Joseph, St. Louis, and Springfield, Missouri, where citizens were tried for war crimes, including consorting with guerrillas and bushwhackers, killing United States soldiers from the Seventh Cavalry Regiment Missouri Volunteers, and encouraging rebellion against the government. The order was signed by Assistant Adjutant General A.V. Colburn.
Date: May 22, 1863

Title: Battle of Hickory Point
Description: Painting by Samuel J. Reader depicting the Battle of Hickory Point. On September 13, 1856, James H. Lane led a force of jayhawkers against Hickory Point, a proslavery settlement in Jefferson County, Kansas that had supported an attack against Grasshopper Falls. Lane soon understood that he lacked artillery to attack the log buildings, and he retreated. During the retreat, Missourians pursued Lane's forces and attacked, but the jayhawkers returned fire. After receiving word that Territorial Governor John Geary had ordered a ceasefire, Lane withdrew, but reinforcements from Lawrence under command of Colonel James A. Harvey arrived on September 14, toting the captured cannon "Old Sacramento," and fired on the town. One proslavery man was killed, four others wounded, and several Free-Staters were wounded before a ceasefire was called and the Missourians withdrew from the area. 100 Free-Staters were arrested by U.S. troops, but they were later acquitted for acting in self-defense.
Object Type: Image

Title: From Jacob Hall to My Dear Daughter
Description: This letter, dated February 7, 1864, was written by Jacob Hall in Independence, Missouri, to his daughter. Jacob writes that the counties of “Jackson, Cass, Bates and the Southern portion of Vernon have been reattached to the District of Missouri and placed under the command of Gen. Brown – and Gen. Ewing has left for Kansas with nearly all his command.” He adds that “Col. Fort is in command of…the above named counties.”
Object Type: Letter
Date: February 7, 1864

Title: From John B. Wood to George L. Stearns
Description: On November 19, 1861, John B. Wood writes a letter from Lawrence, Kansas to his friend George L. Stearns in Boston, informing him that thousands of slaves have escaped Missouri and settled in Kansas. He says that in the past ten days, 131 escaped slaves have moved into Lawrence. Most of them have found employment on farms, Wood writes, but when the harvest season is over, they may be out of work. Wood worries that there will be “much suffering” and death, and he asks Stearns to “lay this matter before the friends of humanity of the East and ask them to send us funds” to assist the liberated slaves.
Date: November 19, 1861

Title: Black Jack Battleground in Douglas County, Kansas
Description: Photograph of the site of the Black Jack battlefield near Palmyra in Douglas County, Kansas. On June 2, 1856, abolitionist John Brown and his followers attacked the forces of a proslavery settler, Henry C. Pate in the unofficial first battle of the Civil War (nearly five years prior to the war's beginning). Pate, who held two of Brown's sons captive, exchanged them for 23 prisoners after Brown and his free-state forces won the battle.
Object Type: Image
Date: December, 1888

Title: From John A. Halderman to Samuel R. Curtis
Description: This letter, dated November 6, 1862, is from Maj. John A. Halderman of the 1st Kansas Volunteer Infantry Regiment to Maj. Gen. Curtis, commander of the Department of the Missouri. Halderman asks, on behalf of Kansas Gov. Charles Robinson, for Curtis’s assistance in arming the Kansas State Militia so that they can better protect the Kansas-Missouri border “against the violence of lawless bands in Missouri.”
Date: November 6, 1862

Title: From Mary C. Irvine to Mr. Bohart
Description: On September 13, 1863, Mary C. Irvine writes to Mr. Bohart. Mary thanks Bohart for sending news of her son, who was wounded at Champion Hill. She asks Bohart to tell her son that many changes have taken place in the neighborhood, such as the escape of local slaves to Kansas: "Mr. Bedford's negroes have run off and took about $500 worth of horses with them." Mary adds that many of their neighbors are relocating to different states including Kentucky and Illinois, and that it would not be safe for her son to return home now.
Date: September 13, 1863

Title: From Alex M. Bedford to Mary E. Bedford
Description: On November 11, 1864, Alex M. Bedford writes from Fort Pulaski, off Savannah, Georgia, to his wife Mary E. Bedford in Savannah, Andrew County, Missouri. Alex says he has not been exchanged yet and fears there is no chance of it happening soon, although he is pleased with the move to Fort Pulaski. He tells Mary that his bunkmate is Lt. David Bronaugh of Clay County, Missouri, whose cousin Miss F.A. Bronaugh lives in Barry, Clay County. Alex tells Mary that Miss Bronaugh may soon write to her and that she can get news of him through contact with her.
Date: November 11, 1864

Title: From Daniel Woodson to William P. Richardson
Description: This order, dated September 1, 1856, was sent by Acting Kansas Governor Daniel Woodson in Lecompton, Kansas, to Major General William P. Richardson, Kansas Militia, Northern Division. Woodson reminds Richardson that General Order No. 1, issued August 21, 1856, directed that all peaceable Kansas citizens and their property were to be protected regardless of their political views, and that no houses were to be destroyed unless they were proven to be used as forts or arsenals against the territorial government. Woodson directs Richardson to use the “severest penalties” against soldiers violating the order, and prohibits the burning of dwellings.
Date: September 1, 1856

Title: From Mary E. Bedford to A.M. Bedford
Description: This letter, dated March 8, 1864, is from Mary E. Bedford to her husband, Lieut. A.M. Bedford, who is at the military hospital in Point Lookout, Maryland. Mary reports that she has just arrived in St. Joseph, Missouri after visiting relatives and friends in Kentucky. She expresses hope that her husband will soon be able to return home. She encourages him to write letters to his relatives, and offers to send him money.
Object Type: Letter
Date: March 8, 1864

Title: General Orders, No. 27
Description: Brig. Gen. James Totten and Maj. Lucien J. Barnes of the Missouri State Militia issued General Order No. 27 from the Headquarters of the Division of Central Missouri in Jefferson City on July 9, 1862. The order prohibited alcoholic beverages within the Division, except with special permit from the Provost Marshal General. The permit required applicants to certify that they were loyal citizens and that they would not furnish liquor to soldiers or disloyal citizens.
Date: July 9, 1862

Title: Maj. Gen. Alfred Pleasonton, Officer of the Federal Army
Description: Photograph of Major General Alfred Pleasonton.
Object Type: Image

Title: From Eugenia Bronaugh to John A. Bushnell
Description: Eugenia Bronaugh writes a letter to John Bushnell in St. Louis on December 16, 1863. She tells him that the Kansas Delegation recently invaded her hometown of Hickory Grove, Missouri and stole property and recently-freed slaves from people whom they had determined were disloyal to the government. Eugenia complains that Christmas is around the corner and “yet great armies are in the field and among them my own dear Brothers.”
Date: December 16, 1863

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

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