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Title: From J.M. and H.R. Waugh to A.J. Huntoon
Description: This letter was sent by J.M. and H.R. Waugh in Norwalk, to A.J. Huntoon in Williamsport, Kansas on July 21, 1861. J.M. expresses sympathy for the citizens of Missouri, and says he wants “to hear that the D—ned Mo. rebels ar ‘cleaned out’ with terrible loss of life and property in every engagement.” The Waughs are unsure if they will move back to Kansas, although they enjoyed their time there, “where a fellow can have a farm to live on and a home to go to without paying an enormous rent.”
Date: July 21, 1861

Title: From Sara Robinson to "My Dear Martha"
Description: This letter, dated October 19, 1862, is from Sara Robinson in Topeka, Kansas to Martha. Sara reports that her husband, Kansas Gov. Charles Robinson, went to Altoona, Pennsylvania to meet "the Governors," but by the time he arrived they had already gone to Washington, D.C. Charles "had no wish to see the Sec. of War or the President, both of whom have treated him & the young state of Kansas so villainously & did not follow them." Sara states that when Charles returned, he went to St. Louis to see Gen. Curtis.
Object Type: Letter
Date: October 19, 1862

Title: From James Griffing to My Dear Wife
Description: This letter, dated October 23, 1864, was written by James Griffing in camp at Kansas City, Missouri, to his wife. James provides an account of “a tremendous battle about five miles south of this” (presumably the Battle of Westport), which he heard about via dispatches from the battlefield. James includes an assessment of the Union casualties from regimental surgeon Dr. Hidden: “he thought but few cases would prove fatal.”
Object Type: Letter
Date: October 23, 1864

Title: From John M. Schofield to Thomas Carney
Description: This letter, written on the letterhead of Headquarters, Department of the Missouri and dated August 29, 1863, was sent by John M. Schofield in St. Louis to Kansas Governor Thomas Carney in Topeka, Kansas. Writing in the aftermath of Quantrill’s raid on Lawrence, Kansas, Major General Schofield states his hope that President Lincoln will appoint a Court of Inquiry to investigate the raid. Schofield refers to a meeting proposed for September 8, 1863 in Paola, Kansas, in which participants plan to enter Missouri “to recover their stolen property.” Schofield emphasizes the need to preempt this potentially violent meeting.
Date: August 29, 1863

Title: From George W. Dietzler to Charles Robinson
Description: George W. Dietzler writes on April 16, 1861 from Lawrence, Kansas, to Kansas Gov. Charles Robinson. Dietzler declares that “Old Abe has decided ‘to put his foot down firmly’ against the ‘Confederate government,’” and suggests that Robinson offer 1000 or more Kansas troops to support Lincoln. He writes, “We must be ready for war—all Lawrence will enlist at short notice. Heaven grant that peace may not be restored until the disease is effectively & permanently cured.”
Date: April 16, 1861

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: From Samuel R. Curtis to Edmund G. Ross
Description: This telegram, dated 1864, is from Major Samuel R. Curtis at Fort Leavenworth to Edmund G. Ross in Lawrence, Kansas. Curtis reports that 150-200 Missouri guerrillas have entered Kansas and are likely to invade Olathe, Lawrence, and Topeka. He tells Ross to warn Topeka of a possible attack and urges him to “be on your guard.”
Object Type: Telegram
Date: 1864

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