Civil War

Title: From E.B. Alexander to William Fowler
Description: On August 8, 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 reports that four "desperate" horse thieves have escaped from a court house in Iowa and are rumored to be in northern Missouri. He adds that one of the men, Washington Rodgers, is charged with enlisting men for the Confederate side "and is supposed to have been an active guerrilla in northern Missouri."
Date: August 8, 1863

Title: From Florella Brown Adair and Ada Adair to Samuel Lyle Adair
Description: This undated letter, ca. December 1862, was presumably written by Florella Brown Adair and Ada Adair to Samuel Lyle Adair. Florella writes that some local women have formed a benevolent society to raise funds for “buying land or fencing in ground for a general burying ground for the place.” Florella has attended only one of the society’s meetings and is not sure if she will attend their Christmas fundraising event. On the last page of the letter, Florella transcribes a message from her young daughter Ada to “Dear PaPa.”

Title: From Eugenia Bronaugh to John A. Bushnell
Description: On October 22, 1863, Eugenia Bronaugh writes a letter from Hickory Grove, Missouri to John A. Bushnell, who is away in St. Louis. Referring to herself in the third person, she claims to be a Union devotee. She recounts recent correspondence from her brothers, who fought in the Battle of Helena for the Federal army. She praises their bravery, and relates their descriptions of the “toil and hardships of war”.
Date: October 22, 1863

Title: Missouri State Militia Special Order No. 30
Description: 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 1, 1864

Title: From John B. Henderson to R.T. Van Horn
Description: This letter, dated December 11, 1863, is from J.B. Henderson in Washington City to Col. R.T. Van Horn in Jefferson City, Missouri. Henderson states that he has an upcoming appointment to speak with President Lincoln about "Missouri affairs." He tells Van Horn that he will submit "a special request, on the subject you allude to."
Date: December 11, 1863

Title: From Jonathan B. Fuller to Dear Father
Description: On July 18, 1864, Jonathan B. Fuller writes from Kansas City, Missouri to his father. Fuller reports rumors of recent battles "across the river," and says that Platte City, Missouri may have been "burned to the ground by our own soldiers." He mentions his anxiety over mounting political tensions in his church, fearing that the congregation may split after the August 4 "Fast day" service.
Object Type: Letter
Date: July 18, 1864

Title: From W.W. to M.
Description: On June 22, 1856, W.W. writes from Washington to "M." (possibly Matthew Walker). W.W. reports that Gen. Whitfield arrived in Washington with several other men from Kansas, who "maintained a most singular and studied reserve" when they saw him. He adds that "the Abolition members are woefully down in the mouth about the availability of Sharp's rifles in Kansas. Pomeroy, Roberts and Eldridge have arrived, but no Gov. Reeder."
Object Type: Letter
Date: June 22, 1856

Title: Deed of Emancipation of William Swinney's Slaves
Description: This legal document, dated August 18, 1863, sets terms for emancipating the slaves belonging to the late William D. Swinney of Howard County, Missouri. It was prepared and signed by James O. Swinney and William Morrison, executors of his last will and testament. An attached document, signed by L.H. Swinney, James O. Swinney, and William Morrison, states that the three signers agree to pay the cost to convey all of William Swinney's former slaves out of Missouri.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: August 18, 1863

Title: From Henry Van Horn to Robert Van Horn and Adela Van Horn
Description: This letter, dated May 9 - May 27, 1861, is from Henry Van Horn in Missouri to his son Robert and his wife Adela. Van Horn writes about the commencement of the War: "there is one Regiment ready to organize and march now and there is part of a second one forming." He also tells his family that an acquaintance, B.M. Warin, was killed when a threshing machine exploded.
Date: May 9, 1861-May 27, 1861

Title: From W.A. Bevis to Jonathan B. Fuller
Description: This letter, dated October 15, 1864, is from Capt. W.A. Bevis in Westport, Missouri to Rev. Jonathan B. Fuller. Bevis states his belief that the "threatened Troubles to this Part of the County" are over, and gives Fuller permission to resume his church services. The Battle of Westport occurred eight days later.
Date: October 15, 1864

Title: Affidavit of Peter Arnoldia
Description: This is Dr. Peter Arnoldia's affidavit concerning the August 1863 collapse of the women's military prison in Kansas City, Missouri. Arnoldia states that he had been in the building that housed the prison many times, including the day before it collapsed, and considered it safe and well constructed. The affidavit is dated September 12, 1863 and signed by Arnoldia and Philip S. Brown, Jackson County Notary Public.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: September 12, 1863

Title: From Jonathan B. Fuller to Dear Father
Description: On June 20, 1864, Jonathan B. Fuller writes from Kansas City, Missouri to his father. Fuller reports that his Sunday church congregation was smaller than usual "on account of the details for Guard duty. For everybody is under arms. The soldiers are off scouring the country for bushwhackers. We…are supposed to be in danger of an attack--so all hands, Rebel & Radical--old and young--are armed and standing guard every night." Fuller also describes escalating political tension within his church.
Date: June 20, 1864

Title: From G.B. Danman to Matthew R. Walker
Description: On July 2, 1856, G.B. Danman writes from Hunstville to Matthew R. Walker. Danman asks for news about "the important changes that have taken place" since he left Kansas, including whether the Territory will become a slave or free state.
Date: July 2, 1856

Title: From William to Ellen W. McCoy
Description: On June 7, 1863, William writes from Independence, Missouri to his wife Ellen W. McCoy. William writes that "the Bushwhackers still continue their annoyance," and explains that two "German Union citizens" were taken from their homes the previous week in retaliation for a recent hanging in Kansas City, and have not been heard from since. William notes, "if this kind of retaliation is to be carried on there is no knowing where it will stop or whose life would be safe."
Object Type: Letter
Date: June 7, 1863

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 Henry Van Horn to R.T. Van Horn
Description: This letter, dated January 27, 1864, is from Henry Van Horn to his son, R.T. Van Horn in Missouri. Henry commends the progress that Missouri has made "towards liberty and emancipation" and tells his son, "you have the sincere praise of the men here." He expresses concern for his son's well-being after suffering an injury, and informs him that an acquaintance named Mr. Elliott has passed away.
Date: January 27, 1864

Title: From D.L. Shouse to Jonathan B. Fuller
Description: This October 1863 letter is from D.L. Shouse in Kansas City, Missouri, to Rev. Jonathan B. Fuller in Louisiana, Missouri. Shouse writes that his church must postpone the invitation it extended to Fuller to become their minister. He tells Fuller, "we have lost quite a large number of our members by military orders as well as by voluntary removal," and says that the congregation lacks the resources to support a minister until "quiet is restored" in Jackson County.
Date: October 1863

Title: From John W. Ladd to Matthew R. Walker
Description: On July 15, 1860, John W. Ladd writes from Lewis Centre to Matthew R. Walker. Ladd believes "we may expect lively times ahead" with four political parties vying in the presidential election. He discusses national politics briefly, and declares, "the Douglas Popular Sovereignty is about played out and never was anything but a barefaced humbug."
Date: July 15, 1860

Title: Contract for Hire of Slaves
Description: This contract states that William D. Swinney and James O. Swinney will pay Mrs. Mary Enyart $175 to hire two of her slaves, Margaret and David, for one year. The Swinneys promise to pay for the slaves' clothing and medical bills, noting that "Lost time from military violence or running away [will] be deducted from the hire." The contract was signed January 1, 1863 in Howard County, Missouri.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: January 1, 1863

Title: Special Orders, No. 232
Description: This military document, "Special Orders, No. 232", commands Lieut. Col. R.T. Van Horn of the 25th Missouri Volunteer Infantry to report for duty to Brig. Gen. Ewing in Kansas City, Missouri. The document is signed by Maj. Gen. J.M. Schofield, Assistant Adjutant General, at the Head Quarters of the Department of the Missouri in St. Louis on August 26, 1863.
Date: August 26, 1863

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

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