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Title: From Abishai Stowell to Margaret Torrence
Description: On February 12, 1865, Abishai Stowell writes from Clarksville, Arkansas to his sister Margaret Torrence in Alleghany County, Pennsylvania. Stowell says that his company will likely stay in Clarksville for some time, and then return to Kansas in April to be mustered out of service. He reports that the soldiers are receiving full rations "for the first time since we have been here. we have been on half rations for 15 months." Stowell describes their typical rations and living arrangements in camp, and notes that Gen. Thayer has been relieved by Gen. Bussey.
Date: February 12, 1865

Title: Soldiers, Sixth Kansas Volunteer Cavalry
Description: This portrait, taken ca. 1861-1865, depicts fifteen members of the Sixth Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, Company B. The photograph was taken in Pleasanton, Linn County, Kansas. On the back of the photograph is a list of the soldiers' names and hometowns.
Object Type: Image

Title: From Thomas Carney to James L. McDowell
Description: This letter was written by Kansas Gov. Thomas Carney in St. Louis to Gen. James L. McDowell on June 15, 1863. Carney states that he expects Gen. Schofield will soon authorize a regiment for state defense. He asks McDowell to inform Gen. Ewing that he will soon have command of “the entire district" instead of Gen. Blunt. Carney asks McDowell “to accept the Cols. position in the regiment if you can do so without too much sacrifice.”
Object Type: Letter
Date: June 15, 1863

Title: James Henry Lane, United States Senator from Kansas
Description: Portrait of James Henry Lane, Republican Senator from Lawrence.
Object Type: Image

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: Henry Miller
Description: This carte de visite depicts Henry Miller, who served in the Fifth Kansas Volunteer Cavalry. The photograph was produced ca. 1861-1865.
Object Type: Image

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 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: Florella Brown Adair
Description: Florella Brown Adair was the wife of Samuel Lyle Adair and the half-sister of abolitionist, John Brown. She settled near Osawatomie, Kansas Territory, with her husband, who was a Congregational minister. She and her husband were free state supporters. The identification on the photograph indicates it is an enlargement of a small photograph taken in 1862.
Object Type: Image
Date: 1862

Title: D.R. Porter
Description: This carte de visite depicts D.R. Porter, who served as Assistant Surgeon in the Fifth Kansas Volunteer Cavalry. The photograph was produced ca. 1861-1865.
Object Type: Image

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 Lizzie P. Huntoon to A.J. Huntoon
Description: This letter was written by Lizzie P. Huntoon to A.J. Huntoon on September 22, 1861. Writing from Langdon, “at Roswell’s,” Lizzie says Huntoon should not resign his military position, which he offered to do if she wished it. Lizzie is eager to come home, but is wary of travelling through Missouri, where they are “burning bridges &c.” She has been reading reports of the Battle of Lexington and an expected attack on St. Joseph, MO. Lizzie adds that a friend’s husband joined the Confederate army, leaving her ”very destitute.”
Date: September 22, 1861

Title: List of Arms and Other Property Taken by Capt. T.J. Wood
Description: This is a report of arms and other property taken from Chicago emigrants by U.S. Army Capt. T.J. Wood on September 14, 1856. On that day, Wood also confiscated horses, wagons, and equipment from a group of Iowa emigrants. The report is addressed to Kansas Gov. John W. Geary.
Date: September 14, 1856

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 Charles Adair to Samuel Lyle Adair
Description: This letter was written on December 19, 1860 by Charles Adair in Hudson, Ohio, to his father Samuel Lyle Adair. Charles writes that he finished school for the year and he has been feeling very homesick. He reports that his mother, Florella Brown Adair, plans to go to Grafton, Ohio the following week. Charles says that Uncle Jeremiah has gone to New York and that he often becomes depressed because of the prospect of financial ruin.
Object Type: Letter
Date: December 19, 1860

Title: From Samuel Lyle Adair to Florella Brown Adair
Description: This letter was written March 26 and 29, and April 1, 1861 by Samuel Lyle Adair in Osawatomie, Kansas, to his wife Florella Brown Adair. Samuel writes that he was forced to borrow money to continue work on the church’s construction, and will likely need to borrow more; he explains that this is difficult in Osawatomie because money is scarce. He states that many people in Kansas are destitute, although aid continues to arrive in the county, including a shipment of seed wheat from the New England Relief Committee.
Date: March 26, 1861-April 1, 1861

Title: Charles L. Wall
Description: This sepia carte de visite depicts Charles L. Wall, 1st Lieut. of Company H, Seventh Kansas Volunteer Cavalry. The photograph was produced ca. 1861-1865.
Object Type: Image

Title: Olin E. Morse
Description: This carte de visite depicts Capt. Olin E. Morse, who served in Company D, Fifth Kansas Volunteer Cavalry. The photograph was produced ca. 1861-1865.
Object Type: Image

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: Muster-Out Roll of Hugh D. Fisher, Chaplain
Description: This muster-out roll, dated August 26, 1864, certifies the honorable discharge of Hugh D. Fisher, Chaplain of the 5th Regiment of Kansas Cavalry Volunteers. Rev. Fisher served from August 16, 1861 to June 30, 1864, and was mustered out “by reason of expiration of term of service.”
Date: August 26, 1864

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

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