Civil War

Title: From G.A. Parsons to Robert M. Stewart
Description: This letter, dated December 2, 1860, is from G.A. Parsons, Adjutant General of the Missouri Militia, to Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart. Parsons informs Stewart that he has just arrived in Bates County and has found among its citizens “a good deal of uneasiness” because of recent attacks by Jayhawkers. He mentions that a citizen named Bishop was recently shot in his own house. Parsons states that he is enclosing a petition from Bates County citizens.
Date: December 2, 1860

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 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

Title: From Samuel R. Ayres to Lyman Langdon
Description: In this letter, dated November 15, 1861, Samuel R. Ayres tells Lyman Langdon that he recently travelled to Kansas City, Missouri on an expedition to escort a provision train, but the train was captured by Secessionists. Ayres tells Langdon that there are a lot of Secessionists in Clay County, Missouri, and he suspects that they will try to take possession of Kansas City. He also mentions a rumor that Gen. Lane is in danger, as his regiment is vastly outnumbered by the enemy, but he plans to unite his forces with those of Col. Jennison.
Date: November 15, 1861

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

Title: From Joseph H. Trego to Alice Trego
Description: In this letter, dated November 23, 1863, Lieut. Joseph H. Trego of the 5th Kansas Cavalry Regiment informs his wife Alice that he has safely arrived at Fort Smith, Arkansas. He says that scouts from his regiment captured about a dozen Bushwhackers and that Gen. McNeil “is keeping them here to have them ready to hang to telegraph poles.” Trego also mentions that Gen. Blunt is at Fort Smith and is likely to be reinstated to his command.
Date: November 23, 1863

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: Letters Received 1863-1865
Description: This notebook, kept by Capt. John A. Wilcox, 4th U.S. Cavalry, Mustering & Disbursing Officer, contains a record of letters received between 1863 and 1865. The book records the date each letter was received, the letter writer's name, and a summary of the content. Topics addressed include mustering out, enlistment of veterans, and general business. Letter-writers include Col. B.L.E. Bonneville in Benton Barracks, Missouri and Maj. J.E. Burbank in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Date: 1863-1865

Title: From Leigh R. Webber to Miss Brown
Description: On May 28 and 29, 1862, Leigh R. Webber writes a letter from the Steamer Robert Campbell Jr. near Liberty, Missouri, to Miss Brown. Webber reports that he spent nine days marching from Fort Riley to Fort Leavenworth, and is now "moving down to 'Dixie's Land'…Our men are dying off so fast at Corinth, that we expect our turn will come next. But there is no fear or shrinking among us." He believes his regiment is better prepared for battle now than they were at the Battle of Wilson's Creek in 1861.
Object Type: Letter
Date: May 28, 1862 - May 29, 1862

Title: Sketch of the Public Surveys in Kansas and Nebraska
Description: This black-and-white map, signed by J. Calhoun, Surveyor General, was issued by the Surveyor General’s office in Wyandott, Kansas Territory on November 8, 1856. The map is entitled “Sketch of the Public Surveys in Kansas and Nebraska.” It was printed by A. Hoen and Co. in Baltimore.
Object Type: Map
Date: November 8, 1855

Title: Report on Price's Raid
Description: James Henry Lane wrote this report ca. October 1864 about his role in the campaign against Price's Raid. Lane states that he accompanied Gen. Blunt, Col. Moonlight, Col. Jennison, and Gen. Curtis on an expedition into Missouri to impede Sterling Price and his forces. Lane describes the Second Battle of Lexington, the Second Battle of Independence, the Battle of Byram's Ford, the Battle of Westport, and the Battle of Little Blue River.

Title: From James Henry Lane to E.M. Stanton
Description: This letter, dated February 8, 1862, is from James Henry Lane to E.M. Stanton, Secretary of War, in Washington, D.C. Writing from Leavenworth, Kansas, Lane states that he supports the proposal to extend the Platte County Rail Road from Weston, Missouri to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He urges Stanton to offer his support, arguing that the extension would help the government transport army supplies and troops.
Date: February 8, 1862

Title: From Daniel Woodson to E.V. Sumner
Description: This dispatch, dated June 30, 1856, was sent by Acting Kansas Gov. Daniel Woodson in Lecompton, Kansas, to Col. E.V. Sumner at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Woodson states that the “bogus Legislature” of Free-Staters will undoubtedly meet at Topeka on July 4, 1856, and that Gen. Lane’s forces are believed to be approaching Topeka. Woodson has ordered Lt. Col. Philip St. George Cooke to secure the area between Fort Riley, Kansas, and Topeka. He instructs Sumner to go to Topeka personally with at least two more companies of U.S. troops.
Date: June 30, 1856

Title: From Leigh R. Webber to "Senorita Morena"
Description: This letter, dated April 30, 1862, is from Leigh R. Webber in "Camp of the Kansas First" to "Senorita Morena" (Miss Brown). Webber says his regiment is comfortably situated, and declares, "Fort Riley is not to be slurred at. It beats Fort Leavenworth all hollow, and Fort Scott is nowhere beside it." He reports that "We had a general inspection on Monday, and were mustered this forenoon," and adds that the soldiers will soon receive new equipment and arms.
Object Type: Letter
Date: April 30, 1862

Title: Map Depicting the Western Territory
Description: This undated black-and-white map depicts the Western territory between Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and the Rocky Mountains. The map shows rivers, Indian territories, villages, and other points of interest. A dotted line indicates the route taken by U.S. dragoons in 1835 under the command of Col. Dodge.

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

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