Mrs. Silliman

This letter, dated August 24, 1862, is from Mrs. Silliman to her brother. She describes the “horror” of life in Warrensburg, Missouri, which has been invaded by both Bushwhackers and Jayhawkers, and is now “swarming with runaway slaves.” She complains about her health and says that the black girl who was caring for her was lured away to Kansas by soldiers. She also describes how her son Oscar avoided military service: “he was exempted from drafting, as not being ‘able bodied,’ caused by an internal injury.”

August 24, 1862

Battle for Missouri, 1861-1865 -- Military History of Missouri and Kansas
Surviving a Guerrilla War
African Americans
Women
Bushwhackers
Guerrillas
Jayhawkers

Mrs. Silliman
-->

Johnson County, Missouri

State Historical Society of Missouri – Columbia

Silliman Letters; C1831

For more information on using this image, contact the State Historical Society of Missouri – Columbia at: 23 Ellis Library, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65201, Phone: (573)882-6028, E-mail: hirschg@umsystem.edu Publication, commercial use, or reproduction of this image or the accompanying data requires prior written permission from the State Historical Society of Missouri – Columbia. Use of this image also requires that credit be given to the State Historical Society of Missouri – Columbia.