Civil War

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From D.B. Mitchell to Robert M. Stewart
Title
From D.B. Mitchell to Robert M. Stewart
Description
This letter was written on April 29, 1858 by D.B. Mitchell in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart in Jefferson City, Missouri. Mitchell says it is likely that two regiments of Missouri volunteers will be called into service, and that one of them will be taken from the state. Mitchell writes, “Should this be the case please bear in mind that you promised the command to me. I can tender you the service of a splendid regiment within ten days after the requisition is made.”
Object Type
Letter
Date
April 29, 1858
From Daniel R. Anthony to Father
Title
From Daniel R. Anthony to Father
Description
This letter, dated November 24, 1861, was written by Daniel R. Anthony at Camp Union, Kansas City, Missouri, to his father. Anthony describes commanding eight companies on a recent military expedition to Pleasant Hill in Cass County, Missouri; he is now on his way to take up headquarters at Independence, Missouri. Anthony discusses his involvement in a “desperate” battle at the Little Blue River near Independence, in which the Union side won. He also says that a soldier under his command found guilty of stealing will be shot that morning.
Date
November 24, 1861
From Wilson Shannon to E.V. Sumner
Title
From Wilson Shannon to E.V. Sumner
Description
This dispatch, dated June 23, 1856, was sent by Kansas Gov. Wilson Shannon in Lecompton, Kansas, to Col. E.V. Sumner. Shannon, who says he will soon leave for St. Louis, urges Sumner to attend the meeting of the Topeka legislature. Shannon indicates that he fears an outbreak of violence will occur if U.S. troops are withdrawn from Kansas, and says he will write to President Pierce saying so. Shannon requests that Sumner make no changes with the troops until he returns in ten days’ time.
Date
June 23, 1856
From Abishai Stowell to "Distant But Not Forgotten Sister"
Title
From Abishai Stowell to "Distant But Not Forgotten Sister"
Description
On February 4, ca. 1862-1865, Abishai Stowell writes from Leavenworth, Kansas to his "Distant but not Forgotten Sister." Stowell reports that regiments from Kansas and Wisconsin have arrived in Leavenworth, "and there are more coming in every day." He expects that his own mounted rifle regiment will move south very soon. Stowell says he plans to send a daguerreotype of himself "if we get paid before we leave here."
Object Type
Letter
From A.J. Huntoon to Lizzie P. Huntoon
Title
From A.J. Huntoon to Lizzie P. Huntoon
Description
In this letter, dated July 17 and July 20, 1861, A.J. Huntoon writes to his wife Lizzie P. Huntoon. On July 17, A.J. writes from Camp Lincoln, headquarters of the 3rd Regiment, Kansas Volunteers, in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. A.J. describes his trip from Topeka to Fort Leavenworth, stating that four companies are in camp there, while another five have gone to Kansas City. On July 20, A.J. reports he is in camp at Kansas City, where there are rumors of an imminent secessionist attack; he believes there is no great danger.
Date
July 17, 1861-July 20, 1861
From A.J. Huntoon to My Dear Wife
Title
From A.J. Huntoon to My Dear Wife
Description
A.J. Huntoon writes a letter from Williamsport in Shawnee County, Kansas to his wife Lizzie, reporting that Rebels have fired at U.S. troops in Independence, Missouri. He adds that hundreds of Kansas troops have left Lawrence and Fort Leavenworth to assist U.S. troops in Kansas City and St. Joseph, Missouri. The letter, dated June 16 and 19, 1861, also mentions recent shootings in Leavenworth and Atchison, Kansas. Huntoon writes, “We may look for these as common occurrences in Kansas, for a while at least. All carry arms now . . . Men are paying out their last cent for them.”
Date
June 16, 1861-June 19, 1861
From Wilson Shannon to E.V. Sumner
Title
From Wilson Shannon to E.V. Sumner
Description
This dispatch, dated June 4, 1856, was sent by Kansas Gov. Wilson Shannon in Lecompton, Kansas, to Col. E.V. Sumner at Headquarters, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Shannon has received reliable information that the town of Franklin, Kansas was attacked by about 150 armed men the previous night, leaving one man dead and five or six taken prisoner. Shannon hopes that Sumner will take prompt action to stop “these outrages.” Shannon adds that a proclamation is being prepared and he will send copies to Sumner.
Date
June 4, 1856
From A.J. Sexton to Catherine
Title
From A.J. Sexton to Catherine
Description
This letter was written on April 6, 1862, by A.J. Sexton to his wife Catherine. A.J. states that his regiment is camped near Lawrence, Kansas and may go next to New Mexico. He writes about the health of the men in his regiment, mentioning several illnesses and deaths. A.J. says that he received two months’ pay the previous week, and plans to send $15.00 to Catherine by express. He asks Catherine if she has received any money from the state, and wants to know “how you get along for money.”
Date
April 6, 1862
From G.A. Parsons to Robert M. Stewart
Title
From G.A. Parsons to Robert M. Stewart
Description
This dispatch, dated December 2, 1860, is from G.A. Parsons, Adjutant General of the Missouri Militia, to Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart. Parsons relays a rumor that James Montgomery has publicly stated his intention to drive his enemies out of Kansas Territory. Parsons also reports that several men from Kansas passed through Bates County, Missouri that morning and told residents about Montgomery’s attacks. “The excitement here is on the increase,” Parsons states, and he informs Stewart that “we have plenty of troops already on their way to the border.”
Date
December 2, 1860
From Lewis A. Waterman to Dear Mother
Title
From Lewis A. Waterman to Dear Mother
Description
This letter, dated July 22, 1864, is from Lewis A. Waterman at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas to his mother in Providence, Rhode Island. Waterman reports that William Quantrill invaded Kansas with about 500 Bushwhackers. In retaliation, Col. Jennison crossed into Missouri with 700 troops and killed about 150 men. Waterman also tells his mother about daily life at Fort Leavenworth.
Date
July 22, 1864
From Wilson Shannon to E.V. Sumner
Title
From Wilson Shannon to E.V. Sumner
Description
This dispatch, dated May 27, 1856, was sent by Kansas Gov. Wilson Shannon in Lecompton, Kansas, to Col. E.V. Sumner at Headquarters, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Shannon refers to a recent incident in Osawatomie, Kansas, in which five men were murdered by Free State supporters. Shannon states that he has sent Capt. Wood and his company – now stationed at Lawrence, Kansas – to Osawatomie; he therefore orders Col. Sumner to move two companies of U.S. troops to Lawrence and await further instructions.
Date
May 27, 1856
From A.J. Sexton to Catherine
Title
From A.J. Sexton to Catherine
Description
A.J. Sexton writes a letter from Leavenworth, Kansas to his wife Catherine in Wisconsin on February 26, 1862. Sexton, a member of the 12th Regiment of Wisconsin Infantry Volunteers, describes daily life at Fort Leavenworth, where his company is headquartered. He also announces that the city of Nashville recently surrendered to the Union and “the general opinion is that the war will soon close.”
Date
February 26, 1862
From Samuel R. Curtis to Thomas Carney
Title
From Samuel R. Curtis to Thomas Carney
Description
This telegram, dated June 7, 1864, was sent by Maj. Gen. Samuel R. Curtis at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to Kansas Gov. Thomas Carney. Curtis states that he has been authorized to issue 1,000 arms and 200,000 rounds of ammunition to the militia. He tells Curtis that “Bushwhackers are east & south of us and hostile thieving indians west but with great vigilance on the part of federal & state troops we may protect the settlement.”
Object Type
Telegram
Date
June 7, 1864
From Unknown to Thomas Carney
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
From W.E. Prince to R.T. Van Horn
Title
From W.E. Prince to R.T. Van Horn
Description
This telegram was sent from Capt. W.E. Prince at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas to Maj. R.T. Van Horn on August 23, 1861. Prince instructs Van Horn to "destroy everything" if forced to "abandon position." He also tells Van Horn to "continue work on gun" and to "communicate with Lexington and obtain Grahams Company ordered by me to this place."
Object Type
Telegram
Date
August 23, 1861
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
From W.E. Prince to James Henry Lane
Title
From W.E. Prince to James Henry Lane
Description
This dispatch, dated September 23, 1861, is from Capt. W.E. Prince at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas to Gen. James Henry Lane. Prince reports that the Union forces surrendered to the Missouri State Guard at the First Battle of Lexington on September 20. He also states that Gen. Sturgis expects Lane and his troops to report to Kansas City.
Date
September 23, 1861
From Wilson Shannon to E.V. Sumner
Title
From Wilson Shannon to E.V. Sumner
Description
This dispatch, dated June 4, 1856, was sent by Kansas Gov. Wilson Shannon to Col. E.V. Sumner. Shannon informs Sumner that Col. Preston, Deputy Sheriff of Douglas County, Kansas, will accompany the U.S. troops “so as to be ready to act as circumstances may require.”
Date
June 4, 1856
From Samuel R. Curtis to Edmund G. Ross
Title
From Samuel R. Curtis to Edmund G. Ross
Description
This telegram, dated 1864, is from Major Samuel R. Curtis at Fort Leavenworth to Edmund G. Ross in Lawrence, Kansas. Curtis reports that 150-200 Missouri guerrillas have entered Kansas and are likely to invade Olathe, Lawrence, and Topeka. He tells Ross to warn Topeka of a possible attack and urges him to “be on your guard.”
Object Type
Telegram
Date
1864
From Wilson Shannon to E.V. Sumner
Title
From Wilson Shannon to E.V. Sumner
Description
This dispatch, dated June 1, 1856, was sent by Kansas Gov. Wilson Shannon in Lecompton, Kansas, to Col. E.V. Sumner at Headquarters, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Shannon instructs Sumner to send one company of U.S. troops to reinforce Capt. Newby in Lawrence, Kansas, and a second company to reinforce Capt. Wood in Franklin County, Kansas. Shannon writes that each command is “too weak to deal with the armed bodies of lawless men by which they are surrounded.” Shannon adds that Maj. Sedgwick will communicate with Sumner about the events that have transpired.
Date
June 1, 1856

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