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From William S. Field to George R. Smith
Title
From William S. Field to George R. Smith
Description
William S. Field writes a letter from Lexington, Missouri to Gen. George R. Smith in Georgetown, Missouri on June 10, 1856. Field informs Smith that M.W. Smallwood recently received a nomination to the Georgetown Convention. He encourages Smith in his candidacy for Congress: "you have many friends here & should you receive the nomination you will get a heavey majority here notwithstanding the howl of freesoilism against you."
Date
June 10, 1856
From S.S. Abney to William Van Lear
Title
From S.S. Abney to William Van Lear
Description
S.S. Abney writes from Morgan County, Missouri to William Van Lear on December 5, 1860. He tells Van Lear that troops are pursuing James Montgomery, who has taken possession of Fort Scott after robbing and murdering Kansas residents. Abney expresses hope for the future of Kansas, but predicts that "we are on the verge of perilous times."
Date
December 5, 1860
War in Kansas!
Title
War in Kansas!
Description
This 1856 broadside announces the commencement of civil war in Kansas. It urges the citizens of Lafayette County, Missouri to gather with their guns and horses in Lexington on August 20, and "put an end to Abolitionism in Kansas." The broadside, signed by twelve men, reports that John Brown, James Henry Lane, and their forces have launched several guerrilla attacks upon Kansas residents, and are now "advancing upon us--the next breath from Kansas may bring to our ears the death shrieks of our Fathers, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, neighbors and friends."
Object Type
Broadside
Date
August 1856
From Dewitt C. Hunter to J.F. Snyder
Title
From Dewitt C. Hunter to J.F. Snyder
Description
This letter, dated January 21, 1861, is from Dewitt C. Hunter in Nevada, Missouri to Col. J.F. Snyder. Hunter describes himself as a "secessionist in favor of separate state action and immediate secession." He believes that Missouri is in danger of invasion from Kansas, and he urges Snyder to organize a regiment, procure arms, and prepare to defend the border.
Object Type
Letter
Date
January 21, 1861
From James H. Birch to Hamilton R. Gamble
Title
From James H. Birch to Hamilton R. Gamble
Description
This letter, ca. August 1861, is from James H. Birch at Planter's House to Missouri Gov. Hamilton R. Gamble. Birch says that Gamble may send arms for the Plattsburg Company to his personal address in Cameron, Missouri, and he will ensure their "legal disposition." Birch also seeks military appointments from Gamble for himself and his son.
Object Type
Letter
From Silas Reed to Mrs. Abner Stone
Title
From Silas Reed to Mrs. Abner Stone
Description
This letter, dated August 16, 1854, is from Silas Reed in Missouri to Mrs. Abner Stone. He mentions the conflict over the Kansas-Nebraska Act, and says that he hopes New Englanders will "resolve that Kansas shall be on the side of freedom" and immigrate there to help the cause. He tells Mrs. Stone that thirty men from Massachusetts have already arrived in Kansas to start a free colony, and adds, "If I were a young man I would go there at once."
Date
August 16, 1854
From W.L. Wood to W.P. Howard
Title
From W.L. Wood to W.P. Howard
Description
This letter, dated July 19, 1861, is from W.L. Wood in Liberty Landing, Missouri to Col. W.P. Howard in St. Louis. Wood informs Howard that he went to Lexington, Missouri with state troops and planned to travel farther south, but "did not precisely understand" Gov. Claiborne Fox Jackson's intentions. He expresses ambivalence about Jackson, but supports his stance against Lincoln, and declares that he wants "to see Lincoln's troops whipped."
Date
July 19, 1861
From William M. McPherson to George R. Smith
Title
From William M. McPherson to George R. Smith
Description
On October 20, 1856, William M. McPherson writes from London to Gen. George R. Smith in Georgetown, Missouri. McPherson reports that his railroad securities business in London has been negatively affected by "the Kansas question and the exaggerated stories…about Missourians in Kansas going there to vote and control the elections[,] stopping emigrants…and driving out settlers." He adds that he hopes to buy 4,000 tons of iron for the railroad near Jefferson City before leaving London.
Date
October 20, 1856
From James H. Moss to W.P. Hall
Title
From James H. Moss to W.P. Hall
Description
On September 27, 1863, Col. James H. Moss writes from Platte City, Missouri to W.P. Hall. Moss states that he is organizing companies of Platte County citizens to defend against threatened raids from Kansas. He says that the day before, a group of "desperate outlaws from Kansas" came to Missouri and were soon joined by Col. Joseph A. Price and "all the radical element in Platte." In a statement written on the back of the letter, Hall notes that he referred the letter to Gov. Gamble, recommending that Col. Price be removed from his office.
Date
September 27, 1863
From John F. Youngs to Jenney and Mother
Title
From John F. Youngs to Jenney and Mother
Description
This letter is from Lt. John F. Youngs, Company E, 5th Regiment, to his family. Youngs writes from camp in Fort Scott, Kansas on September 18, 1861 and gives a detailed account of the Battle of Dry Wood Creek. He describes hiding in a ravine and firing on thousands of advancing troops. Since then, "we have been buisy scouting with an occasional scirmish," and says that an infantry company has gone to "break up a secession camp."
Object Type
Letter
Date
September 18, 1861
From Unknown to Abraham Lincoln
Title
From Unknown to Abraham Lincoln
Description
This letter, dated May 19, 1862, is presumably from Missouri Gov. Hamilton R. Gamble in St. Louis to President Lincoln. Gamble asks for Lincoln's help in restoring peace to Missouri's border counties by ordering that no troops raised in Kansas may enter Missouri unless by request. Gamble adds that in the interest of impartiality, "I am perfectly willing that Missouri troops shall be prohibited from entering Kansas without like request."
Object Type
Letter
Date
May 19, 1862
From Thomas P. Akers to Hamilton Gamble
Title
From Thomas P. Akers to Hamilton Gamble
Description
On September 12, 1862, Thomas P. Akers writes from Kansas City, Missouri to Missouri Governor Hamilton Gamble in St. Louis. Akers, a former Missouri Congressmen who opposed secession, states that when he returned to Lexington, Missouri after a year's absence, his wife and children were forcibly removed from their home and his father-in-law was arrested and imprisoned under false charges. Fearing arrest, Akers seeks Gamble's permission to peacefully resolve his affairs in Lexington before leaving the state.
Date
September 12, 1862
From James H. Birch to Hamilton R. Gamble
Title
From James H. Birch to Hamilton R. Gamble
Description
On September 7, 1862, James H. Birch writes from Kingston, Missouri to Missouri Gov. Hamilton R. Gamble. Birch, a Congressional candidate in the 1862 Missouri election, states that he has been ill-treated by various "military organizations" while campaigning in the state. Birch quotes the text of a letter from Capt. Wakefield Standly, forbidding him "to address or interfere with" the citizens of Carroll County, Missouri. Birch asks Gamble to issue an order preventing the military from interfering with the election.
Date
September 7, 1862
From George D. Bayard to Father
Title
From George D. Bayard to Father
Description
This is a copy of an October 1, 1856 letter from George D. Bayard in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas to his father. Bayard tells his father that Kansas is overrun with invaders from Missouri who want to make it a slave state, and with northern emigrants who want to make it a free state. He criticizes Gov. John W. Geary for not taking a strong stand against slavery. He also mentions that troops from Lecompton are pursuing James Henry Lane and his men.
Date
October 1, 1856
From Thomas Swords to John Dougherty
Title
From Thomas Swords to John Dougherty
Description
This letter, dated June 25, 1856, is from Col. Thomas Swords in New York to Maj. John Dougherty. Swords expresses regret that the Kansas-Nebraska Act has resulted in conflict for Kansas Territory. He describes the Kansas-Nebraska Act as "a most just one" that "should have been carried out in the right spirit," and he voices hope that the future will bring peace to Kansas.
Date
June 25, 1856
From Fred to Dear Cousins
Title
From Fred to Dear Cousins
Description
This February 28, 1862 letter is from a soldier named Fred to his cousins. He reports that he just marched from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas with Company A, to Kansas City, Missouri, where they are guarding Fort Union against the Jayhawkers. He tells his cousins that the 2nd Battalion of his regiment "had a brush with the rebels at Independence," and adds that he may be marching to St. Louis soon.
Date
February 28, 1862

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