Civil War

Title: From George Applegate to James Applegate
Description: This letter, dated March 3, 1865, is from George Applegate in Lisbon, California to his brother James Applegate in Missouri. He discusses life in California, then curses abolitionists: “All the harm I wish them is that they may indure [sic] all the evils their suicidal course is bringing on our once happy land...” He expresses shock and anger that a black attorney was admitted to the United States Supreme Court.
Date: March 3, 1865

Title: Tender of Service of Martin White
Description: In this document, created October 5, 1856, a volunteer company of mounted riflemen in Lykins County, Kansas, tenders its service to the Governor of Kansas Territory. The document includes a list of the company’s officers, including Captain Martin White.
Date: October 5, 1856

Title: From John Montgomery and C.H. Withington to John W. Geary
Description: John Montgomery and C.H. Withington write a letter to Kansas Gov. John W. Geary on September 16, 1856. They inform Geary that a group of armed abolitionists belonging to Gen. Lane’s army invaded their settlement in Allen County, robbed stores, destroyed property, and declared that anyone who refused to join them “may expect to meet a bitter fate.” Montgomery and Withington claim that their community has no means of self-defense and they ask Geary for protection.
Date: September 16, 1856

Title: Col. William D. Wood's Missouri State Militia 8th Cavalry Regiment Certificate of Mustering In
Description: In this military document, Col. William D. Wood musters Captain David D. Stockton's Company of Mounted as Missouri State Militia 8th Cavalry Regiment Company "A".
Date: December 18, 1861

Title: From Daniel L. Chandler to John Stillman Brown
Description: This letter is from Daniel L. Chandler to John Stillman Brown. Chandler writes from West Point and Kansas City, Missouri, and Mapleton, Kansas on September 25 and 28, and October 1 and 6, 1861. Chandler, a steward at a military hospital, describes caring for soldiers wounded in the Battle of Dry Creek and the Sacking of Osceola. Chandler shares his fears about the future: "The condition of the State of Missouri is indeed most gloomy, and if the war continues a year longer the territory will be turned into a desert."
Object Type: Letter
Date: September 25, 1861-October 6, 1861

Title: From E.F. Slaughter to Eliza Colgan
Description: On October 7, 1864, E.F. Slaughter writes from Hickmans Mill, Missouri to Mrs. Eliza Colgan. Slaughter says that prices for goods are rising and "farmers can't keep up with the merchant." He reports that the railroad is complete "from Independence to Kansas City and next spring will be run through to St. Louis…If we only had peace we might enjoy the sight of such improvements." He also mentions that "there was a great revival of religion in the army."
Date: October 7, 1864

Title: Sale of Slave
Description: This document declares the sale of four slaves—Ritter, Bird, Fanny, and John—to Stephen Bedford for $182.50. It was signed and dated by Marion M. Biggerstaff of Clinton County, Missouri on July 5, 1857.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: July 5, 1857

Title: Peter Hill
Description: This carte de visite depicts Peter Hill, who served in the Fifth Kansas Volunteer Cavalry. The photograph was produced ca. 1861-1865 by Hasie & Benton of Helena, Arkansas.
Object Type: Image

Title: Platte County Court House, Platte City, Missouri
Description: A drawing of the Platte County Court House in Platte City, Missouri, included in an 1877 plat book of Platte County, Missouri.
Object Type: Image
Date: 1877

Title: John W. Geary and Staff in Atlanta
Description: Photograph of John W. Geary with a group of Union Army officers, circa 1864.
Object Type: Image

Title: The Life of John Brown, no. 16
Description: Photograph of "The Life of John Brown, No. 16" by Jacob Lawrence.
Object Type: Image
Date: 1941

Title: From Lewis Stafford to Kate Newland
Description: This letter, dated September 28, 29, and 30, 1861 is from Lewis Stafford in Chillicothe, Missouri to Kate Newland. Stafford reports on the recent movement of his regiment, the 1st Kansas Infantry, from Rolla to Chillicothe, Missouri. He eagerly anticipates fighting the Secessionists and giving them “an awful thrashing . . . But I shudder to think of the brave men who will fall victims to the rage of the ruthless enemy.”
Date: September 28, 1861-September 30, 1861

Title: Invoices of Quartermaster's Stores
Description: This military document is a collection of Quartermaster Property Invoices for the Missouri State Militia 8th Cavalry Regiment Company "A" that shows the transfer of various items such as mule collars and wagons in between Lieutenant T. E. Gray, Captain James J. Akard, and Captain R. B. Owen.
Date: 1863 - 1865

Title: From R.R. Boone to Dear Father
Description: R.R. Boone writes a letter from Buchanan County, Missouri to his father on September 12, 1858. Boone reacts to news of guerrilla warfare in Kansas, proclaiming "I am a great mind some times to gather my Rifle and gow & skalp some of these infernal theaving abolitionist." He criticizes both political parties and voices anger that the government has not put a stop to the violence in Kansas.
Date: September 12, 1858

Title: Circular No. 23
Description: This document, entitled Circular No. 23, is dated April 22, 1865 and is signed by Col. E.B. Alexander in St. Louis. The Circular instructs Provost Marshals to discontinue all printing, publishing, and advertising connected with the business of their offices, and to close all accounts existing for the same purpose.
Date: April 22, 1865

Title: From Alex M. Bedford to Mary E. Bedford
Description: On October 31, 1863, Alex M. Bedford writes from Johnson’s Island, near Sandusky City, Ohio, to his wife Mary E. Bedford. Alex advises Mary not to return home until she is sure it’s safe. Alex describes an agreement made with M. Jeff Thompson about paying to send longer letters, which “suits us first rate.” He recalls his experience the previous year as a wounded prisoner of war in Alabama, where he recovered at the home of a kind family who "seem like my relations."
Date: October 31, 1863

Title: Inventory and Inspection Report of Unserviceable Ordnance Stores
Description: This military document is an inventory and inspection report of unserviceable ordnance and ordnance stores for which Captain James J. Akard, Company "A" 8th Cavalry Regiment, Missouri State Militia was responsible for. The inventory which includes rifles and revolvers was examined by John W. Goldston, Lieutenant and Assistant Inspector.
Date: January 11, 1865

Title: Special Order No. 10
Description: This January 10, 1865 document, titled "Special Order No. 10," is ordered by Maj. Gen. Dodge and signed by Asst. Adj. Gen. J.W. Barnes in St. Louis. The order states that all courts of record must notify the appropriate Provost Marshal "of all persons who declare their intentions to become Citizens or who take out papers of citizenship," so they can be enrolled in the draft.
Date: January 10, 1865

Title: Letters and Telegrams Sent (Provost Marshal's Office, 6th District Missouri)
Description: This notebook contains copies of letters and telegrams sent from the Provost Marshal's Office, 6th District of Missouri, in Lexington, Missouri, between June 24, 1863 and May 19, 1864. Capt. A. Comingo was appointed Provost Marshal of the 6th District of Missouri in June 1863 and corresponded frequently with Missouri Provost Marshal General E.B. Alexander and U.S. Provost Marshal General James B. Fry. Topics addressed include the appointment of deputy provost marshals, military enrollment, recruitment of black soldiers, and the threat of attack by bushwhackers and guerrillas.
Date: June 24, 1863-May 19, 1864

Title: View of Manhattan, Kansas
Description: A civil war drawing by John Gaddis of the 12th Regt. Wisconsin Volunteers on their way to Ft. Riley, Kansas, near Manhattan, Kansas.
Object Type: Image
Date: April 24, 1862

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

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