Civil War

Title: Examination of Patrick Dwyer
Description: This is Patrick Dwyer's Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Dwyer describes himself as a 50-year-old resident of Clay County, Missouri who was born in Ireland. He states that he demonstrated his loyalty to the United States Government during the Civil War by feeding soldiers. He admits that he "had no feelings in the matter" when he heard that Gen. Price had captured Gen. Mulligan's army at Lexington, Missouri. The oath, labeled No. 65 in a bound volume, was signed by Dwyer in 1866.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: From W.L. Ball to Emma
Description: This letter, dated September 21, 1861, was written by Confederate soldier W.L. Ball from Lexington, Missouri to Emma. Ball details his experience in the Battle of Lexington and includes the “official report of the property and prisoners” taken during the fight. He notes that “the southern side lost about 100 killed and wounded,” while the Union lost “500 killed and wounded.” Ball writes that the army may move next to Jefferson City.
Date: September 21, 1861

Title: From George W. Deitzler to Commanding Officer
Description: This U.S. Military Telegraph message was sent to the “Commanding Officer” by Maj. Gen. George W. Deitzler in Independence, Missouri on October 20, 1864. Deitzler states that after a lengthy battle on October 19, Gen. Blunt has been driven from Lexington, Missouri by a Confederate force commanded by Gen. Price. Deitzler says that the Union side lost 20 men killed and wounded, and that Gen. Price’s current position is unknown. Deitzler adds that telegraphic communication between Kansas City and St. Louis is uninterrupted, and that “the danger to Kansas is not considered imminent.”
Date: October 20, 1864

Title: Examination of W.W. Dougherty
Description: This is W.W. Dougherty's Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Dougherty, who was born in Indiana, describes himself as a 47-year-old resident of Clay County, Missouri. He claims that he had "no particular sympathy" with either side during the Civil War. Upon hearing that Gen. Sterling Price had captured Gen. Mulligan and his army at Lexington, Missouri, Dougherty "felt that there was a big mess on hand." The oath, labeled No. 49 in a bound volume, was signed by Dougherty in 1866.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: Release of Robert T. Van Horn
Description: This November 1861 document certifies that Major R.T. Van Horn was released after being a prisoner of war. He had been taken prisoner by the Missouri State Guard at the First Battle of Lexington on September 20, 1861, and was released in accordance with an agreement made between Maj. Gen. John C. Fremont and Maj. Gen. Sterling Price. The certificate is signed by Price and by D. Robert Barclay, Commissioner.
Date: November 1861

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.

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