Civil War

Title: Certificate of Exemption of James O. Swinney
Description: This document exempts James O. Swinney from serving in the Missouri Militia during 1864, as per General Order No. 19. The exemption was issued by the Office of Commissary of Exemptions in Howard County, Missouri on April 30, 1864. It was signed by Capt. George H. Carson, Commissary of Exemptions for Howard County.
Date: April 30, 1864

Title: Platte River near Platte City, Platte County, Missouri
Description: Present day photograph of the Platte River near Platte City in Platte County, Missouri.
Object Type: Image
Date: October 4, 2006

Title: Invoices of Quartermaster's Stores in 1863
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 horse collars and harnesses in between Lieutenant Stockley Etter, Captain James J. Akard, and Lieutenant T. E. Gray.
Date: 1863

Title: John C. Fremont
Description: Lithograph by Charles G. Crehan of Jules-Émile Saintin's original painting of John C. Fremont, head-and-shoulders portrait, facing left
Object Type: Image

Title: From James Boyer to A. Comingo
Description: On December 23, 1863, James Boyer, Deputy Provost Marshal for Chariton County, Missouri writes from Brunswick, Missouri to Capt. A. Comingo, Provost Marshal for the 6th District of Missouri, in Lexington, Missouri. Boyer informs Comingo that his check on the Treasury at St. Louis has been drawn at Washington, DC in favor of enrolling officer Joseph Standley. Boyer states that he also received two checks drawn at Washington as "payment in full" for services rendered by James Sportsman as enrolling officer for Subdistrict No. 30.
Date: December 23, 1863

Title: From Abishai Stowell to "Dear Sister"
Description: On June 11, 1863, Abishai Stowell writes from Mount Gilead, Kansas, to his sister. Stowell states that he is visiting his family and will return to his regiment, the 2nd Kansas Volunteers, in Springfield, Missouri tomorrow. He says they have drawn new horses and arms, and "I suppose we will soon be marching into Dixie land again." Stowell also tells his sister he is not in General Blunt's command.
Date: June 11, 1863

Title: From Edward Fitch to Dear Parents
Description: In an April 28, 1861 letter to his parents in Massachusetts, Edward Fitch of Lawrence, Kansas declares, “did you think that you would ever live to see it—a Civil War, the most horrible of all wars.” He informs them that he has joined an artillery company. He adds that the military “is organising in large numbers” in Lawrence, but he expresses his fear that if Missouri secedes from the Union, Kansas will not have enough arms or ammunition for defense. He also expresses concern that the Cherokee and Choctaw tribes will fight for the South.
Date: April 28, 1861

Title: From Calvin Iserman to Brother William
Description: This letter, ca. April 1861, was sent by Calvin Iserman in Independence, Missouri, to his brother William. Calvin writes that Independence “is the strongest secession town” in Missouri. He writes that men from Independence “seized the State Arsenal” at Liberty, and Lincoln has ordered federal troops to retake it. Calvin declares that all Union supporters “who can get away” are leaving the area. The letter includes a brief note addressed to “sister Gusta,” presumably written by Calvin's wife.

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

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

Title: Certificate of Lost Horses on October 20th, 1864
Description: In this military document, Captain James J. Akard certifies that two horses of the Missouri State Militia 8th Cavalry Regiment Company "A" were killed during the Battle of the Big Blue River on October 20, 1864.
Date: February 16, 1865

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