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From Sarah Fitch to My Dear Father and Mother
Title
From Sarah Fitch to My Dear Father and Mother
Description
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.
Date
September 2, 1863
From Edward Fitch to Dear Parents
Title
From Edward Fitch to Dear Parents
Description
In this January 20, 1856 letter to his parents in Massachusetts, Edward Fitch of Lawrence, Kansas writes that Missourians launched an attack near Leavenworth on Election Day and tried to confiscate the ballot boxes. Fitch predicts an imminent war, and laments: “How long O Lord must we suffer thus. I hope you will raise an army in the East and March through Missouri and Proclaim liberty to the slave.” Included is a copy of a September 15, 1855 broadside published by John Speer that challenges the Bogus Legislature.
Date
January 20, 1856
The Western Dispatch.
Title
The Western Dispatch.
Description
This is the August 17, 1856 evening issue of the Western Dispatch, printed in Independence, Missouri. The newspaper announces that war is "being waged by the Abolitionists," and reports that James Henry Lane, John Brown, and their forces have robbed several Kansas residents and driven them into Missouri. The paper also mentions that Kansas Gov. Wilson Shannon requested aid from the U.S. military, but was refused. A last minute extra, printed at the bottom of the paper, states that Lane and his men have captured Lecompton.
Object Type
Newspaper Article
Date
August 17, 1856
From George D. Bayard to Father
Title
From George D. Bayard to Father
Description
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.
Date
October 1, 1856
From Lewis A. Waterman to Dear Mother
Title
From Lewis A. Waterman to Dear Mother
Description
This letter, dated July 22, 1864, is from Lewis A. Waterman at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas to his mother in Providence, Rhode Island. Waterman reports that William Quantrill invaded Kansas with about 500 Bushwhackers. In retaliation, Col. Jennison crossed into Missouri with 700 troops and killed about 150 men. Waterman also tells his mother about daily life at Fort Leavenworth.
Date
July 22, 1864