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Diary of C.T. Kimmel
Title
Diary of C.T. Kimmel
Description
This is an excerpt from the diary of C.T. Kimmel, an assistant surgeon in the 2nd Missouri State Militia Cavalry. The entries, dated May 10 – June 2, 1865, describe Kimmel mustering out of service and returning home to Chariton County, Missouri. He mentions nearby guerrilla warfare, and writes about mourning the death of President Lincoln. Attached is an invitation to a New Year’s Union Ball on December 31, 1865 in Brunswick, Missouri.
Object Type
Diary
Date
May 10, 1865-December 30, 1865
Another Abolition Outrage
Title
Another Abolition Outrage
Description
The St. Louis Daily Bulletin printed this article on December 11, 1860, announcing that a party of abolitionists tried to steal forty slaves from Morgan Walker in Independence, Missouri. J.H. McMurray, author of the article, writes: "Walker told them to take the negroes, and commenced shooting. One of the gang fell dead on the steps; one was taken prisoner, and the messenger thought two others were killed."
Object Type
Newspaper Article
Date
December 11, 1860
From William Hutchinson and H. Miles Moore to Daniel Woodson and Col. Cook
Title
From William Hutchinson and H. Miles Moore to Daniel Woodson and Col. Cook
Description
This letter, dated September 2, 1856, was sent by William Hutchinson and H. Miles Moore in Lawrence, Kansas, to Acting Kansas Gov. Daniel Woodson and Col. Cook. Hutchinson and Moore contend that after they sent two men to meet with Woodson about crimes against their property, these men were taken by a mob and detained in Lecompton, Kansas. They ask that Woodson explain why the two men continue to be detained when there are no legal charges against them.
Date
September 2, 1856
From M. Jeff Thompson to Robert M. Stewart
Title
From M. Jeff Thompson to Robert M. Stewart
Description
On November 27, 1860, Col. M. Jeff Thompson writes a dispatch from the Headquarters of the 4th Military District in St. Joseph, Missouri to Missouri Gov. R.M Stewart. Thompson suggests that Stewart send troops to guard the Missouri River to prevent the escape of guerrilla attackers and prevent further invasions. Thompson also states that Major F.W. Smith has 200 troops ready for orders.
Date
November 27, 1860
From T.W. Trego to Dear Sister Alice
Title
From T.W. Trego to Dear Sister Alice
Description
This letter, dated October 18, 1862, is from T.W. Trego in Chicago to his sister-in-law Alice in Kansas. He tells her that he has recently heard from Alice’s husband Joseph, a lieutenant in the 5th Kansas Cavalry Regiment, and that he is camped in Helena, Arkansas. He speculates that Joseph’s regiment “must feel very uneasy down there in their inactivity while so many brilliant victories are being won elsewhere.” He expresses hope that Alice is not in danger of guerrilla attacks from the “Missouri ruffians.”
Date
October 18, 1862
From Mary E. Bedford to Alex M. Bedford
Title
From Mary E. Bedford to Alex M. Bedford
Description
On July 25, 1864, Mary E. Bedford writes from her home in Andrew County, Missouri, to her husband Lt. Alex M. Bedford, Prisoner of War, 35th Division, Fort Delaware, Delaware. Mary explains that there has been much excitement in the area because of the bushwhackers: “The people anticipate great deal of trouble here, worse times than we have ever had but I hope not.” Mary also shares news of various acquaintances in the area, stating that most of the men have joined the Federal Army.
Date
July 25, 1864
From S. Norton to John W. Geary
Title
From S. Norton to John W. Geary
Description
This letter, dated September 9, 1856, was sent to Kansas Gov. John W. Geary by S. Norton and seven other citizens of Leavenworth, Kansas. Writing from St. Louis, Norton states that on September 2, 1856, he and the others were ordered to leave Leavenworth by Capt. Emory and his “armed posse.” They seek protection from Geary so they may safely return to their homes.
Object Type
Letter
Date
September 9, 1856
From William H. Doah to Robert M. Stewart
Title
From William H. Doah to Robert M. Stewart
Description
This letter was written on August 16, 1859 by Capt. William H. Doah, Company B, Missouri Militia, in Butler, Missouri, to Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart. Doah states that after Kansan William Wright (alias Pickles) was imprisoned for murder and robbery in Vernon County, Missouri, the citizens of that county “were threatened with violence by the outlaws of Kansas.” Doah says that James Montgomery later sent a letter demanding Pickles’ immediate release. Doah writes that he plans to “repel invasion and meet out justice” to the Kansas guerrillas; if Stewart does not approve of this plan, Doah says he will resign as Captain of Company B.
Date
August 16, 1859
From Charles W. Graeff to Robert M. Stewart
Title
From Charles W. Graeff to Robert M. Stewart
Description
This letter, dated July 29, 1858, is from Charles W. Graeff to Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart. Graeff reports that he has just arrived in Polk County, Missouri and will soon travel to Jefferson City, Missouri. He tells Stewart that several hundred men are hiding in a place called “Osage rocks” in Kansas Territory. These men, he states, have invaded Missouri, robbed citizens, driven families away from their homes, murdered a man, and injured several others.
Object Type
Letter
Date
July 29, 1858
From Mrs. Silliman to My Dear Brother
Title
From Mrs. Silliman to My Dear Brother
Description
This letter, dated August 24, 1862, is from Mrs. Silliman to her brother. She describes the “horror” of life in Warrensburg, Missouri, which has been invaded by both Bushwhackers and Jayhawkers, and is now “swarming with runaway slaves.” She complains about her health and says that the black girl who was caring for her was lured away to Kansas by soldiers. She also describes how her son Oscar avoided military service: “he was exempted from drafting, as not being ‘able bodied,’ caused by an internal injury.”
Date
August 24, 1862
Petition of Sundry Citizens of Pottawatomie Creek
Title
Petition of Sundry Citizens of Pottawatomie Creek
Description
This petition, dated September 19, 1856, is addressed to Kansas Gov. John W. Geary and is signed by 32 Kansas citizens living near the Pottawatomie, Sugar, and Middle Creeks and the Osage River. The petitioners describe several recent guerrilla attacks in their region, including the Battle of Osawatomie, and ask for Geary to take action. They complain that the attacks, launched by Missourians and “guided by a few desperate men in our midst,” have succeeded in “sacking and burning houses and in robbing and plundering and menacing the lives of our citizens.”
Object Type
Petition
Date
September 19, 1856
From Edward Fitch to Dear Parents
Title
From Edward Fitch to Dear Parents
Description
In a May 18, 1856 letter to his parents in Massachusetts, Edward Fitch of Lawrence, Kansas announces that “the blow has been struck, the war has begun.” He reports that two men have been killed near Lawrence and that several, including Governor Robinson, have been captured. He expresses concern that Kansas does not have adequate resources for defense, and he appeals for support: “Tell every one who has the least interest in Kansas that now we want help-–men money and arms.”
Petition from Citizens of Vernon County, Missouri
Title
Petition from Citizens of Vernon County, Missouri
Description
This petition was sent to Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart on March 28, 1859 by 43 citizens of Vernon County, Missouri. The petitioners request military protection from a threatened attack by Kansas guerrillas. They state that the guerrillas are assembling near the Little Osage River under the command of James Montgomery, and that “the notorious Brown” has again made an appearance in Kansas. The petitioners believe that "it is the full intention of those lawless men to invade the State and rob and murder the inhabitants.”
Object Type
Petition
Date
March 28, 1859
From James D. Eads to Robert M. Stewart
Title
From James D. Eads to Robert M. Stewart
Description
This letter, dated November 26, 1860, is from James D. Eads of Warrensburg, Missouri to Robert M. Stewart, Governor of Missouri. Eads offers Stewart the services of a company of volunteers “to march to our frontier for the protection of our citizens.”
Date
November 26, 1860
From James A. Holmes to John W. Geary
Title
From James A. Holmes to John W. Geary
Description
This letter, dated October 2, 1856, was written by James A. Holmes on behalf of the people of Osawatomie, Kansas, to Kansas Gov. John W. Geary. Holmes states that on August 30, 1856, a band of 410 Border Ruffians led by Martin White attacked Osawatomie, killing two men and injuring a third before plundering and burning the town. Holmes seeks permission for the citizens of Osawatomie to organize in self-defense against another attack by White.
Date
October 2, 1856
From James H. Lane to Charles A. Foster
Title
From James H. Lane to Charles A. Foster
Description
This note, dated December 5, 1855, was sent by James H. Lane in Lawrence, Kansas, to Charles A. Foster. The note reads: “We want every true Free State man in Kansas at Lawrence immediately,” probably referring to the conflict known as the Wakarusa War.
Date
December 5, 1855
Payne Jones
Title
Payne Jones
Description
Charcoal portrait of Payne Jones in hat, shirt, and pullover typical of Quantrill's guerrillas trimmed with buttons along the shoulders, V neck, and tops of pockets. Jones was part of Quantrill's raid on Lawrence, Kansas, August 21, 1863, and the Centralia, Missouri, massacre on September 27, 1864. After the war, he became a member of the James-Younger gang. According to the "Missouri Republican," November 11, 1867, Jones was shot November 6, 1867, during a robbery attempt.
Object Type
Image
From J.F. Snyder to Robert M. Stewart
Title
From J.F. Snyder to Robert M. Stewart
Description
In this dispatch, dated August 7, 1858, J.F. Snyder reports to Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart on “the true condition of affairs upon the border” in Bates County, Missouri. He informs Stewart that a number of Kansas citizens who sought safety in Missouri returned to Kansas to commit acts of revenge, and were followed back into Missouri by their victims. He adds that citizens of Bates County feel unsafe, and declares that military force is necessary. He suggests that Stewart offer a reward for the capture of five people involved in a recent murder.
Date
August 7, 1858
From William P. Richardson to Wilson Shannon
Title
From William P. Richardson to Wilson Shannon
Description
This dispatch, dated August 20, 1856, was written by Major General William P. Richardson of the Kansas Militia, Northern Division, at Headquarters at Whitehead, Doniphan County, Kansas, to Kansas Governor Wilson Shannon. Richardson tells Shannon that General James Lane has recruited a large military force and intends to enter Kansas. Richardson says he has issued an order to assemble the Northern Division militia at Whitehead and awaits Shannon’s authorization to employ the troops.
Date
August 20, 1856
From The Few That Are Left to John W. Geary
Title
From The Few That Are Left to John W. Geary
Description
This letter to Kansas Gov. John W. Geary is dated September 18, 1856 and signed by “The few that are left.” The letter asks Geary to send troops to protect the citizens of Cass County, Missouri; Sugar Mound, Kansas; and Fort Scott, Kansas. “This section of the country has just been ravaged by the war parties from Missouri,” the letter says. “The people here are unarmed and defenseless.”
Date
September 18, 1856

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