Civil War

Title: Certificate of Exemption for William Glenn
Description: This certificate of exemption, dated April 2, 1864, excuses William Glenn from serving in the Missouri Militia due to dyspepsia and “Constitutional disability”. It is signed by Dr. J.R. Sands and R.M. Holland, Commissioner of Exemptions, in the town of Laclede in Linn County, Missouri.
Date: April 2, 1864

Title: From Joseph W. McClurg to David D. Stockton
Description: In this military correspondence, Missouri State Militia 8th Cavalry Regiment Lt. Col. Joseph W. McClurg informs Captain David D. Stockton that his company has consumed too many rations for late February 1862.
Date: March 19, 1862

Title: General Orders, No. 10
Description: Maj. Gen. Samuel Curtis issued General Order No. 10 from the Department of the Missouri Headquarters in St. Louis on February 4, 1863. The order details the proceedings of a recent General Court Martial in Lexington, Missouri, where officers and soldiers were tried for war crimes, including disobedience of orders, neglect of duty, desertion, and mutiny. It is signed by Assistant Adjutant General H.Z. Curtis.
Date: February 4, 1863

Title: From Abishai Stowell to "Dear Sister"
Description: On November 14, 1863, Abishai Stowell writes from Fort Smith, Arkansas to his sister. Stowell reports that on November 12, Gen. Blunt arrived from Fort Scott with 250 wagons, and more wagons arrived from Springfield, Missouri. "It is thought by some that Gen Blunt will go South with his command in a few days," Stowell writes.
Date: November 14, 1863

Title: Statements of Clothing and Camp and Garrison Equipment Costs
Description: This document, issued by U.S. War Department, Adjutant General's Office, dictates the cost of clothing and camp and garrison equipment for the Army of the United States, along with the allowance of clothing to each soldier during his elistment and his proportion for each year.
Date: December 9, 1862

Title: List of Colored Recruits Enlisted, 6th District Missouri
Description: This February 1864 military roll lists the names of enslaved "colored recruits" who were enlisted in the 30th sub-district of the 6th congressional district of Missouri in Chariton County. The roll provides the soldiers' physical characteristics, occupations, birthplaces, and the names of their owners.
Date: February 1864

Title: From J.F. Benjamin to E.B. Alexander
Description: This dispatch, dated November 23, 1863, is from Col. J.F. Benjamin, Provost Marshal of the 8th district of Missouri, to Col. E.B. Alexander, Acting Assistant Provost Marshal General of Missouri. Benjamin copies a telegraph from Washington stating that District Provost Marshals are no longer required to submit daily reports of military recruitment.
Date: November 23, 1863

Title: From Leigh R. Webber to Miss Brown
Description: On August 12, 1862, Leigh R. Webber writes from Gibson County, Tennessee to Miss Brown. Webber criticizes the government's management of the war, declaring "there is no genuine Union sentiment in the Seceded States, to any extent...Unless the Government feels itself able to subjugate the South, it ought to acknowledge its independence at once. The restoration of the union as it was previous to the war is an impossibility." He refers to Generals Halleck, McClellan, Buell in his letter.
Date: August 12, 1862

Title: From E.B. Alexander to William Fowler
Description: On July 4, 1863, Col. E.B. Alexander, Acting Assistant Provost Marshal General in St. Louis, writes to Capt. William Fowler, Provost Marshal for the 7th District of Missouri. Alexander copies the text of a communication he received from the Provost Marshal General, stating that only free blacks, and not slaves, may be enrolled in the U.S. service.
Date: July 4, 1863

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: List of Colored Recruits Enlisted, 6th District Missouri
Description: This February 1864 military roll lists the names of enslaved "colored recruits" who were enlisted in the 30th sub-district of the 6th congressional district of Missouri in Chariton County. The roll provides the soldiers' physical characteristics, occupations, birthplaces, and the names of their owners.
Date: February 1864

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: Missouri State Militia Special Order No. 30
Description: This copy of the Missouri State Militia Special Order No. 30 was produced by W. G. Montgomery. By order of Brigadier General John B. Sanborn, 1st Lt. W. D. Hubbard calls for six particular squadrons of the Missouri State Militia 8th Cavalry Regiment to muster out any amount of enlisted men in excess of the minimum required for organization of a Cavalry company. Lieutenant Colonel J. D. Brutsche is charged with making sure the order is carried out.
Date: February 2, 1864

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: From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description: John A. Bushnell writes a letter from Calhoun, Missouri to Eugenia Bronaugh on July 16, 1863. He tells her that Missouri has recently instituted a draft and that he plans to apply for exemption. If he does not succeed, he says he will sell his belongings and attempt to “pay out” of service. He expresses his hope for a peaceful future with Eugenia and discusses his faith: “If God is with us, we are safe.”
Date: July 16, 1863

Title: From Abishai Stowell to "Dear Sister"
Description: On May 19, 1862, Abishai Stowell writes from Fort Riley, Kansas, to his sister. Stowell reports that the entire New Mexico Brigade, except his own regiment, was ordered back to Leavenworth, Kansas. He says that Co. A and D of his regiment will soon move to Fort Union in New Mexico to guard a train, while the rest of the regiment will continue to guard Fort Riley. Stowell states that it is unlikely he will visit home again before he is discharged because he will be so far away.
Object Type: Letter
Date: May 19, 1862

Title: Letters Sent (Provost Marshal, Northern District of Kansas)
Description: This notebook contains copies of correspondence sent by the Provost Marshal's Office, Northern District of Kansas in Leavenworth, Kansas, between December 1863 and May 1864. Topics addressed in the correspondence include desertions, weekly reports of the officers, and recruitment efforts. Participants in the correspondence include Maj. Gen. Samuel R. Curtis; Provost Marshal General James B. Fry; and Capt. J. McCahon, Provost Marshal for the Northern District of Kansas.
Date: December 1863-May 1864

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 C.F. Smith to A. Comingo
Description: On December 24, 1863, C.F. Smith writes from Kansas City, Missouri to Capt. A. Comingo, Provost Marshal for the 6th District of Missouri. Smith reports that he has about 50 names to add to the published enrollment list, explaining that "before the list was published it was exceedingly difficult to get any information but now every man reports his neighbor if his name is not on the list." Smith adds that some men were accidentally enrolled twice.
Date: December 24, 1863

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

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