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Title
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From Sarah Fitch to My Dear Father and Mother
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Description
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In an emotional letter dated September 2, 1863, Sarah Fitch informs her husband Edward’s parents that he was killed during Quantrill’s Raid on Lawrence. She estimates that 250-300 of Quantrill's men arrived in Lawrence on horseback and fired at everyone in sight, leaving bodies “scattered all over town.” She writes that they approached her home, “screaming and yelling like so many demons from the infernal pit,” then shot Edward in the heart and burned down their house. She suspects they targeted her family because her children had been playing "soldier" and had left a Union flag hanging on their woodshed.
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Date
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September 2, 1863
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Title
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From Edward Fitch to Dear Parents
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Description
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This letter, dated September 21, 1856, is from Edward Fitch of Lawrence, Kansas to his parents in Massachusetts. He tells them that he and his army regiment marched to Franklin the previous week in an attempt to defend the town from Border Ruffians. The Ruffians rode into town, burned several buildings, robbed Fitch of everything he owned, and then “dispersed in different directions . . . stealing and murdering as they went.” Fitch mentions his suspicion that Governor Geary is a traitor who has negotiated with the Border Ruffians.
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Object Type
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Letter
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Date
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September 21, 1856-September 28, 1856
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Title
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From Thomas McCleary to Hugh D. Fisher
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Description
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On September 25, 1863, Thomas McCleary writes from Blairsville to Rev. Hugh D. Fisher. McCleary says he was glad to hear of Fisher’s “Providential escape from the hands of the Rebbels.” He expresses hope that Kansas may rise in her strength and demolish border ruffians…and all that opposes freedom.”
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Date
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September 25, 1863
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Title
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From T.W. Trego to Dear Sister Alice
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Description
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This letter, dated October 18, 1862, is from T.W. Trego in Chicago to his sister-in-law Alice in Kansas. He tells her that he has recently heard from Alice’s husband Joseph, a lieutenant in the 5th Kansas Cavalry Regiment, and that he is camped in Helena, Arkansas. He speculates that Joseph’s regiment “must feel very uneasy down there in their inactivity while so many brilliant victories are being won elsewhere.” He expresses hope that Alice is not in danger of guerrilla attacks from the “Missouri ruffians.”
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Date
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October 18, 1862
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Title
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Statement of Wilson Shannon
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Description
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This statement by Kansas Gov. Wilson Shannon was written ca. December 1855. Shannon describes the series of events leading to the Wakarusa War, beginning with the murder of a Free State supporter named Charles Dow by Franklin Coleman, a proslavery man. To address the subsequent civil unrest in Douglas County, Kansas, Shannon asks General Richardson, General Strickler, and Col. Sumner to supply troops and assist Douglas County Sheriff Samuel J. Jones in restoring order.
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Object Type
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Government Document
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Title
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From Thomas Carney to James L. McDowell
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Description
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This letter, dated June 26, 1863, was written by Kansas Governor Thomas Carney in Washington, DC, to James L. McDowell. Carney writes that Edwin Stanton, Secretary of War, has refused to approve Major General Schofield’s order to raise a regiment. Carney says that if necessary he will “foot the bill” himself to defend “helpless women and children” from the “brutal...ruffian raids that have so long cursed our state.”
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Date
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June 26, 1863
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Title
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From Wilson Shannon to Franklin Pierce
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Description
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This letter, dated June 27, 1856, was written by Kansas Gov. Wilson Shannon in St. Louis to President Franklin Pierce. Shannon informs Pierce that after recent “troubles” in Kansas Territory, the area is no longer threatened by any “illegal military bodies” as far as he knows. Shannon believes that the presence of federal troops helped to restore peace, and states that these troops should be maintained in Kansas to help suppress future conflicts. Shannon is particularly concerned about the threat of civil unrest if the Free State legislature meets, as planned, on July 4, 1856.
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Object Type
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Letter
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Date
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June 27, 1856
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Title
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From Josiah Miller to Dear Father and Mother
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Description
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This letter, dated January 25, 1856, is from Josiah Miller in Lawrence, Kansas to his parents living in a Southern state. Miller tells his parents about a recent election for Kansas state officers that ended in a skirmish between Free State men and proslavery men, including some from Missouri. He predicts that "this slavery question" will result in civil war, and urges his parents to move to a free state.
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Object Type
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Letter
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Date
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January 25, 1856
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Title
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From F.L. Pilla to Dear Brother
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Description
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F.L. Pilla writes a letter to his brother on September 21, 1863. Pilla writes about Quantrill's Raid on Lawrence, explaining that Lawrence is seven miles from his home in Eudora, Kansas. On the day of the Raid, he heard a rumor that Quantrill planned to target Eudora, and readied himself for a possible attack. The following day, he visited Lawrence and found "the best part of the City burned down" and "dead bodies laying around in all directions."
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Object Type
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Letter
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Date
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September 21, 1863
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Title
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From George D. Bayard to Father
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Description
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This is a copy of an October 1, 1856 letter from George D. Bayard in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas to his father. Bayard tells his father that Kansas is overrun with invaders from Missouri who want to make it a slave state, and with northern emigrants who want to make it a free state. He criticizes Gov. John W. Geary for not taking a strong stand against slavery. He also mentions that troops from Lecompton are pursuing James Henry Lane and his men.
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Date
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October 1, 1856