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Title: From John Stillman Brown to John L. Rupur
Description: On September 1, 1863, John Stillman Brown writes a letter to John L. Rupur about Quantrill's August 21 Raid on Lawrence. He lists the names of friends who were killed in the raid, and describes watching the bushwhackers from a hill west of Lawrence "as they went to their work of death, burning and plunder." He also mentions seeing "the brave" Gen. James Henry Lane.
Object Type: Letter
Date: September 1, 1863

Title: From F.L. Pilla to Dear Brother
Description: F.L. Pilla writes a letter to his brother on September 21, 1863. Pilla writes about Quantrill's Raid on Lawrence, explaining that Lawrence is seven miles from his home in Eudora, Kansas. On the day of the Raid, he heard a rumor that Quantrill planned to target Eudora, and readied himself for a possible attack. The following day, he visited Lawrence and found "the best part of the City burned down" and "dead bodies laying around in all directions."
Object Type: Letter
Date: September 21, 1863

Title: From S.A. Routsong to Wife Ellen
Description: S.A. Routsong writes a letter to his wife, Ellen, on November 13 and 14, 1862. He describes recent travel to Iowa and assures her of his safety. He states that he has heard that William Clarke Quantrill is travelling South through Johnson and Bates counties “with the Militia hard after him of course”. He also mentions a rumor that “the New + Old Militia were fighting each other” in Jefferson City.
Date: November 13, 1862 - November 15, 1862

Title: William Clarke Quantrill
Description: Charcoal portrait of William Clarke Quantrill in suit coat and tie. Captain William Clarke Quantrill was the most noted of all guerrilla leaders. His commission was as Captain of Cavalry Scouts for the Confederates. He led the raid or massacre on Lawrence, Kansas, on August 21, 1863. After the Battle of Westport in October 1864, Quantrill went to Kentucky where he was mortally wounded by Federal soldiers. He was taken to a hospital in Louisville, Kentucky, where he died June 6, 1865, at the age of 27.
Object Type: Image

Title: From "Neighbors and Friends" to Col. S.W. Eldridge
Description: This letter, dated September 1, 1863, was sent to Col. S.W. Eldridge by "your neighbors and friends" from the "Ruins of Lawrence," Kansas. The writers encourage Eldridge to rebuild the Free State Hotel in Lawrence, Kansas after its destruction during Quantrill's raid. They promise to aid Eldridge "to the utmost of our ability," and urge him to appeal to "friends of freedom throughout the land" for monetary contributions.
Date: September 1, 1863

Title: From James H. Lane to E.M. Stanton
Description: On September 3, 1863, James H. Lane writes from Leavenworth, Kansas to Secretary of War E.M. Stanton. Lane states that as Col. S.W. Eldridge has suffered greatly from the loss of The Free State Hotel in Lawrence, Kansas, during Quantrill's Raid on the town, he should be granted a leave of absence to travel east, presumably to appeal for aid in rebuilding the hotel.
Object Type: Letter
Date: September 3, 1863

Title: From James H. Lane et al to "All Whom It May Concern"
Description: On September 5, 1863, James H. Lane and five others write an open letter from Leavenworth, Kansas to "all whom it may concern." Lane and the others express sympathy with Col. S.W. Eldridge, who is travelling east to seek aid in rebuilding the Free State Hotel in Lawrence, Kansas, which was destroyed during Quantrill's Raid. The signers assure potential contributors to Eldridge's project that he is "a man in every respect worthy of their full confidence."
Date: September 5, 1863

Title: From S.C. Pomeroy to Col. S.W. Eldridge
Description: On October 8, 1863, S.C. Pomeroy writes from Parker House, Boston to Col. S.W. Eldridge. Pomeroy states that he submitted a proposal to "the Committee" to appropriate $5,000 in funds for rebuilding the destroyed Free State Hotel in Lawrence, Kansas. Pomeroy also proposes that once the hotel is rebuilt, the Mayor of Lawrence should assign a portion of the donated money to assist families affected by the raid. Pomeroy notes, "This last provision sweetens the thing--and I have little doubt that it will pass."
Date: October 8, 1863

Title: From Unknown to Thomas Carney
Description: This telegram was sent from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas to Kansas Gov. Thomas Carney on April 26, 1864. The telegram consists of an April 23, 1864 telegraph communication between Col. Phillips and Major General S.R. Curtis. Phillips informs Curtis that his troops are tracking Quantrill’s movements through Kansas along the Arkansas River, and that one of his companies stationed near the river may meet Quantrill soon. Curtis replies that from Phillips’ telegram, he infers Quantrill’s location to be on the southern side of the Arkansas.
Object Type: Telegram
Date: April 26, 1864

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