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Title: Act to Provide for Calling a State Convention, 1861
Description: This act, approved January 21, 1861 by Missouri Secretary of State B.F. Massey in Jefferson City, Missouri, calls for a state convention to consider the “relations between the Government of the United States… and the Government and people of the State of Missouri; and to adopt such measures for vindicating the sovereignty of the State, and the protection of its institutions, as shall appear to them to be demanded.” The act states that delegates to the convention will be elected by popular vote on February 18, 1861 and will convene in Jefferson City on February 28, 1861. The document is signed by B.F. Massey and Missouri Gov. Claiborne Fox Jackson.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: January 21, 1861

Title: From Robert M. Stewart to D.M. Frost
Description: This dispatch, dated December 10, 1860, is from Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart to Brig. Gen. D.M. Frost at Camp Daniel Boone. Stewart orders Frost to station 200 men on the Kansas-Missouri border to protect Missouri citizens from the “wanton and murderous attacks of the outlaws and bandits.” The order is signed by Stewart and Lt. Col. John T. Tracy.
Date: December 10, 1860

Title: Statement of the Citizens of Bates Co. Concerning Border Troubles
Description: This statement, dated June 5, 1858, was written by Joseph Clymer and signed by Adj. Gen. G.A. Parsons and 11 citizens of West Point in Bates County, Missouri. The statement describes the invasion of West Point and the robberies and attacks on Missouri citizens committed by James Montgomery and his band. The citizens state that Montgomery’s men have threatened to destroy West Point, and that a number of citizens have fled their homes in fear. The citizens request assistance from the Missouri government.
Date: June 5, 1858

Title: From Robert M. Stewart to G.A. Parsons
Description: This dispatch, dated May 31, 1858, is from Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart to Adj. Gen. G.A. Parsons. Stewart relays information that “a marauding party of armed men” from Kansas has invaded Bates and Cass Counties in Missouri and are threatening to commit arson and murder. Stewart orders Parsons to investigate the matter and decide what steps should be taken to protect Missouri citizens. He authorizes Parsons to organize a volunteer force if necessary.
Date: May 31, 1858

Title: From Robert M. Stewart to G.A. Parsons
Description: This letter, dated April 5, 1859, is from Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart to Adj. Gen. G.A. Parsons. Stewart reports that the western border of Missouri in Cass and Bates Counties “is threatened anew by a marauding band” from Kansas. He orders Parsons to travel to the border and take charge of preventing invasions. He authorizes Parsons to organize military companies for the protection of Missouri citizens, and instructs him to seek the cooperation of Kansas authorities. Attached is a copy of the first draft of the letter.
Date: April 5, 1859

Title: From D.M. Frost to Robert M. Stewart
Description: This dispatch, dated November 27, 1860, is from Brig. Gen. D.M. Frost to Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart. Frost states that he has just arrived in Smithton, Pettis County, Missouri, and is preparing for an expedition. He also tells Stewart that James Montgomery and his band of guerrillas invaded Missouri, captured a citizen, and hanged him in Kansas. He adds that some people have left the area out of fear for their lives.
Date: November 27, 1860

Title: Resolutions Presented to the Missouri State Convention
Description: This document presents resolutions drafted ca. March 7, 1861 by Abram Comingo for the Missouri State Convention held in Jefferson City, Missouri. Comingo declares, “we are warmly attached to the Federal Union, and…we will not cease our efforts for its preservation,” but warns that Missouri “will resist and oppose any attempt that may point to the coercion of the seceded States.” Comingo proposes a meeting of representatives from the border states for the purpose of “presenting a plan of adjustment” to the states that have not seceded.
Object Type: Government Document

Title: 1860 Circuit Attorney Election Returns from Saline County, Missouri
Description: This document presents the election returns from Saline County, Missouri for the circuit attorney election held on November 6, 1860: Jonathan C. Royle received 889 votes and John W. Bryant received 845 votes. On November 7, Jesse Davis, Clerk of the Saline County Court, certified the results.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: November 7, 1860

Title: From W.J. Patterson to Sterling Price
Description: This telegram is from W.J. Patterson in Parkville, Missouri to Gov. Sterling Price in Jefferson City, Missouri. The telegram, dated April 26, 1855, states that an armed mob destroyed Patterson’s printing press and threatened to kill the citizens of Platte County if they did not leave. Patterson, an editor of a Free Soil paper, The Parkville Luminary, asks Gov. Price to send state authorities to protect the county, emphasizing that danger is imminent.
Object Type: Telegram
Date: April 26, 1855

Title: From Robert M. Stewart to Samuel Medary
Description: This letter, dated December 31, 1858, is from Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart to Kansas Gov. Samuel Medary. Stewart reports a recent invasion by James Montgomery and his “band of marauders” and says that he has received a request to send an officer to the border to capture armed men and prevent Montgomery from escaping. Stewart also informs Medary that the Missouri General Assembly is in session and will discuss preventing further invasions and bringing the guilty to justice.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: December 31, 1858

Title: From William G. Blackwood to Robert M. Stewart
Description: This letter was written on September 1, 1858 by William G. Blackwood in St. Louis to Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart in Jefferson City, Missouri. Blackwood states that Frank Blair published a letter in the St. Louis Democrat accusing Stewart of issuing pardons to criminals in exchange for votes in a recent election. Blackwood says that the accusation is an attempt “to bring ‘Bleeding Kansas,’ with all her agonizing ‘shrieks’ into Missouri.”
Object Type: Letter
Date: September 1, 1858

Title: From S.G. Allen to Robert M. Stewart
Description: This letter, dated May 30, 1858, was written by S.G. Allen in Harrisonville, Missouri, to Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart. Allen states that three military companies have been organized in Bates and Cass Counties in Missouri “to act only in self defence” against guerrillas from Kansas. Allen asks Stewart to provide additional protection for the citizens, explaining that “new depredations have been committed new threats have been made and vigorous preparations are going on just over the line—what is to be the end God only knows.”
Date: May 30, 1858

Title: From Robert M. Stewart to G.A. Parsons
Description: This dispatch, dated June 10, 1858, is from Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart to Adj. Gen. G.A. Parsons. Stewart restates previous orders for Parsons to limit his military actions to the defense of Missouri citizens and to refrain from crossing the Kansas border. He emphasizes that Missouri citizens should avoid participating in any aggression against Kansas citizens, and urges Parsons to “do all in your power to promote peace.”
Date: June 10, 1858

Title: From William H. Doah to Robert M. Stewart
Description: This letter was written on November 25, 1859 by William H. Doah in Tipton, Missouri, to Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart. Doah states that he sent a letter to Stewart on September 7, 1859, requesting reimbursement for $12.20 he spent on ammunition for Company B, Missouri Militia. Since he did not receive a reply to his letter, Doah again asks Stewart for reimbursement.
Date: November 25, 1859

Title: From Robert M. Stewart to Samuel Medary
Description: This letter, dated April 8, 1859, is from Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart to Kansas Gov. Samuel Medary. Stewart states that he has ordered Adj. Gen. G.A. Parsons to patrol the state line in Cass, Bates, and Vernon Counties, to protect Missouri citizens and repel attacks from bands of Kansas guerrillas. He adds that the Missouri General Assembly has given him authority to use $30,000 for protection of the state border. Stewart asks for Medary’s cooperation in preventing violence.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: April 8, 1859

Title: From R.A. Boggess to Robert M. Stewart
Description: This letter was written on May 22, 1858 by R.A. Boggess in Harrisonville, Missouri, to Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart in Jefferson City, Missouri. In this letter of introduction for S.G. Allen, Boggess informs Stewart that Allen will present him with a paper concerning “matters of very great importance…to the section of country in which we live.” Boggess refers Stewart to Allen for additional information, since “he is thoroughly acquainted with the minutia.”
Date: May 22, 1858

Title: From D.A.W. Morehouse to Robert M. Stewart
Description: This letter was written on February 21, 1859 by D.A.W. Morehouse in Papinsville, Missouri, to Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart. Morehouse shares “startling news” brought from Lawrence, Kansas by U.S. Deputy Marshal A.J. Russes. While held prisoner in Lawrence for ten days, Russes learned that “depredations” would again be committed in the border counties of Missouri, and that James Lane, commanding a force of 1,000 men, planned to enter Platte County, Missouri to free two prisoners held there for kidnapping slaves in the state.
Date: February 21, 1859

Title: From J.F. Snyder to Robert M. Stewart
Description: This dispatch is from J.F. Snyder to Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart. Snyder writes from the headquarters of the 6th Division, Missouri Militia, in Polk County, Missouri on December 12, 1860. He reports that he followed Stewart’s orders and “made thorough organization of the militia” in Bates, Vernon, and Barton Counties, but states that they have neither arms nor ammunition. Snyder warns Stewart that if the militia is not armed, they will continue to be “at the mercy of the outlaws of Kansas.”
Date: December 12, 1860

Title: From William H. Doah to Hon. James Edgar
Description: This letter was written on December 23, 1859 by William H. Doah in Butler, Bates County, Missouri, to Hon. James Edgar. Doah says that he spent $12.20 of his own money on ammunition for his Missouri Militia company “at the time of our threatened troubles on the line.” He seeks Edgar’s help in securing reimbursement from Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart. Doah states that he has written to Stewart twice but has not received a reply.
Object Type: Letter
Date: December 23, 1859

Title: From D.M. Frost to Robert M. Stewart
Description: This dispatch, dated December 5, 1860, is from Brig. Gen. D.M. Frost to Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart. He reports that he marched to the Kansas-Missouri border and learned that James Montgomery and his forces were stationed at Mound City, Kansas; Frost thus concentrated his troops nearby, on the Marais des Cygnes River. Frost also states his intention to organize a force of 500 men and assures Stewart that they will “be able to restore confidence and establish a permanent peace on our border.”
Date: December 5, 1860

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

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