Civil War

Title: Edward Fitch
Description: This black and white portrait depicts Edward Payson Fitch. He was born in Hopkinton, Massachusetts in 1857 and was one of the early settlers in Kansas Territory. On August 21, 1863, he was killed in Quantrill’s Raid on Lawrence. An intruder shot him in the heart, then burned down his house with his body still inside. His wife and three children escaped.
Object Type: Image

Title: Application of E.M. Wooldridge
Description: This is E.M. Wooldridge’s application for compensation from the United States government for the military service of his slave, Fleming Stradford. The application, dated January 29, 1867, includes an oath of allegiance to the United States, a statement that Wooldridge lawfully inherited his slave, and the signatures of four witnesses and a notary public in Pettis County, Missouri. A note in pencil on the seventh page indicates that the application was rejected. Also included is Fleming Stradford’s enlistment form, signed and dated February 22, 1864.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: February 22, 1864-January 29, 1867

Title: From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description: In a July 20, 1864 letter from Calhoun, Missouri, John A. Bushnell tells Eugenia Bronaugh of Hickory Grove, Missouri, that he plans to travel to Sedalia and St. Louis. He says that he will return within two weeks unless he does not feel safe. He expresses a longing to return to his normal life and his business, for “this life of uncertainty, suspense and danger does not suit me.” He adds that he hopes for peace, but does not feel optimistic.
Date: July 20, 1864

Title: Examination of Henry Bunker
Description: This is Henry Bunker's Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Bunker, who was born in Ohio, describes himself as a 47-year-old resident of Liberty, Missouri. He states that he served in the militia during the Civil War and "obeyed all the laws" of the United States. The oath, labeled No. 42 in a bound volume, was signed by Bunker in 1866.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: Application of William Chancellor
Description: This is William Chancellor’s application for compensation from the United States government for the military service of his slave, Henry. The documents, dated November 9 and 10, 1866, include an oath of allegiance to the United States, a power of attorney transfer to Isaac C. Dodge, and a statement that Chancellor lawfully obtained his slave. The application is signed by two witnesses in Howard County, Missouri and by a notary public in Cooper County, Missouri.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: November 9, 1866-November 10, 1866

Title: Examination of James Flemming
Description: This is James Flemming's Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Flemming describes himself as a 75-year-old resident of Clay County, Missouri who was born in Virginia. He states that he "tried to be" loyal to the United States Government during the Civil War and that he spoke out against its enemies. The oath, labeled No. 93 in a bound volume, was signed by Flemmings on October 6, 1866.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: October 6, 1866

Title: Examination of William Frick
Description: This is William Frick's 1866 Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Frick, a 56-year-old native of Germany, states that he has resided in Missouri for 25 years. The oath is No. 154 in a bound volume.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: Examination of John Robinson
Description: This is John Robinson's 1866 Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Robinson, a 31-year-old Virginia native, states that he has resided in Missouri for eight years and served in the militia during the war. Upon hearing of the Federal defeat at Bull Run in 1861, Robinson says he "was sorry the Gov't was broken up so." The oath is No. 222 in a bound volume.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: From James H. Moss to W.P. Hall
Description: On September 27, 1863, Col. James H. Moss writes from Platte City, Missouri to W.P. Hall. Moss states that he is organizing companies of Platte County citizens to defend against threatened raids from Kansas. He says that the day before, a group of "desperate outlaws from Kansas" came to Missouri and were soon joined by Col. Joseph A. Price and "all the radical element in Platte." In a statement written on the back of the letter, Hall notes that he referred the letter to Gov. Gamble, recommending that Col. Price be removed from his office.
Date: September 27, 1863

Title: Examination of Bartley Estes
Description: This is Bartley Estes's Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Estes, a 71-year-old resident of Clay County, Missouri, originally from Kentucky, states that he remained loyal to the United States Government during the Civil War and "did all I was called upon by them to do." The oath, No. 7 in a bound volume, was signed by Estes in 1866.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: Examination of Simeon Collins
Description: This is Simeon Collins's 1866 Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Collins, a 56-year-old Kentucky native, states that he has lived in Missouri for 36 years and served in the militia during the war. The oath is No. 209 in a bound volume.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: Examination of James Bayer
Description: This unsigned 1866 Oath of Loyalty bears the name of James Bayer. The document is No. 133 in a bound volume of loyalty oaths given by citizens of Liberty Township in Clay County, Missouri between 1866 and 1868.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: Examination of Madison Miller
Description: This is Madison Miller's 1866 Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Miller, 55, states that he has lived in Missouri for 27 years, and manifested his loyalty during the war "by taking care of wounded Federal soldiers." When asked what he thought about the Federal loss at Bull Run in 1861, Miller responds, "That our great government would be broken up." The unnumbered oath is contained in a bound volume.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: From Daniel L. Chandler to James H. Buxton
Description: In a letter dated May 5, 1862, Daniel L. Chandler writes to James H. Buxton. Chandler is encamped on the prairie near Fort Scott, but expects to be ordered to Fort Scott in a few days. He informs James that his mother and brothers have been driven from Arkansas by the "secesh" and are now in Missouri, and that James's brother Thomas is in a "Missouri Union Regt." stationed at Mount Vernon, Missouri. Chandler also discusses James's discharge from the military.
Object Type: Letter
Date: May 5, 1862

Title: Oath of Loyalty of George P. Hedrick
Description: This document establishes that George P. Hedrick has taken an oath of loyalty to the United States and to the state of Missouri. Hedrick declares that “I have not, during the present rebellion, willfully taken up arms, or levied war against the United States, nor against the provisional government of the state of Missouri.” The oath is dated October 29, 1862 and is signed by Hedrick and a clerk.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: October 29, 1862

Title: From Abishai Stowell to "Dear Sister"
Description: On February 18, 1863, Abishai Stowell writes from camp in Springfield, Missouri, to his sister. Stowell reports that his regiment will likely leave Springfield soon, "as we have to get a new set of arms and Horses before we will be of any use in the field, but may the time soon come when we will be able to face the God forsaken Rebels once more & spread terror & confusion in their midst…the very name of the Kans 2nd is sufficient to drive a thousand of them." He adds that "it seems a pity" for so many young men to waste their time idle in camp.
Date: February 18, 1863

Title: From Alex M. Bedford to Mary E. Bedford
Description: On July 14, 1863, Alex M. Bedford writes from Johnson’s Island, near Sandusky City, Ohio, to his wife Mary E. Bedford. Alex writes of being troubled by Mary’s last letter, in which she “spoke of the death of my nearest & best friends[.] Why cannot the Federal authorities stop it[?]” Alex advises Mary to go to Kentucky to stay with relatives until times get better at home, although he regrets that the children must be taken out of school. He advises Mary to get a permit to visit him with the help of Robert Wilson, W.P. Hall, “or some other Union man of influence.”
Date: July 14, 1863

Title: Examination of D.I. Worthington
Description: This is D.I. Worthington's 1866 Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Worthington, a 22-year-old Ohio native, states that he has resided in Missouri for one year and was never required to give bond. The oath is No. 197 in a bound volume.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: Examination of Jacob Weyler
Description: This is Jacob Weyler's Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Weyler, a 51-year-old resident of Clay County, Missouri, states that he was born in Bavaria, has lived in Missouri for 13 years, and remained loyal to the United States Government during the Civil War. The oath, labeled No. 25 in a bound volume, was signed by Weyler in 1866.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: Examination of James Leach
Description: This is James Leach's 1866 Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Leach, a 38-year-old Virginia native, states that he has lived in Missouri for 12 years, and was enrolled by the military authorities as "loyal" in 1862. The oath is No. 238 in a bound volume.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

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

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