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Title: From Alice Trego to Joseph H. Trego
Description: This letter, dated September 22, 1862, is from Alice Trego in Mound City, Kansas to her husband Joseph. She reports on the movements of Kansas military units and informs Joseph that Gen. James Lane was authorized to raise four regiments of black soldiers. Alice also mentions that there has been a picket guard of citizens in her neighborhood ever since the Sacking of Olathe. She laments, “Oh! how I wish the war was over, and slavery abolished.”
Date: September 22, 1862

Title: From B.F. Dawson to Colonel of the Second Kansas Militia
Description: This letter, dated October 14, 1864 but presumably written ca. October 22, 1864, was sent by B.F. Dawson in Topeka, Kansas, to the Colonel of the 2nd Kansas Militia. Dawson, a member of Capt. Huntoon’s Company B, 2nd Kansas Militia, describes his participation in the Battle of the Blue, during which he was taken prisoner by the Confederates. He was later paroled by Gen. Shelby and marched back to Topeka.

Title: From Daniel R. Anthony to Dear Father
Description: Daniel R. Anthony writes a letter from Leavenworth, Kansas to his father on November 5, 1861. He states that he will command his regiment on a trip to Sedalia, Missouri to bring oxen and wagons to Gen. Fremont’s army, while Col. Jennison stays behind in Kansas. At the end of the letter, Anthony lists the equipment his regiment needs, including saddles, clothing, sabres, rifles, and revolvers.
Object Type: Letter
Date: November 5, 1861

Title: From Daniel R. Anthony to Sister
Description: This letter, dated February 3, 1862, was written by Daniel R. Anthony in Mound City, Kansas, to his sister. Anthony’s command will march the following day to Humboldt, Kansas; he also plans to visit the Cherokee Nation where “there are 6,000 or 7,000 friendly Indians…ready and willing to fight all rebeldom.” He says that when his troops are on the march, they free and arm every slave they meet, hoping to incite a slave insurrection. Anthony notes that many men believe Frederick Douglass should come to Kansas and raise a regiment of blacks.
Date: February 3, 1862

Title: From G.W. Veale to George W. Dietzler
Description: On October 30, 1864, this dispatch was sent by Col. G.W. Veale at Headquarters, 2nd Regiment, Kansas State Militia in Topeka, Kansas, to Maj. Gen. Dietzler, Comm. Kansas State Militia. Veale reports on a recent campaign in which his regiment moved from Topeka to Shawneetown in Johnson County, Kansas, to Jackson County, Missouri, where it fought in the Battle of the Blue on October 22, 1864. Veale states that his regiment lost 44 killed and wounded, with 68 men taken prisoner after fighting “a force six times our number for three quarters of an hour.” The dispatch includes a list of the soldiers killed and wounded in the battle.
Date: October 30, 1864

Title: From George H. Hoyt to Charles Robinson
Description: On August 12, 1862, George H. Hoyt writes from Leavenworth, Kansas, to Kansas Gov. Charles Robinson. Hoyt states that Gen. Lane has given Col. Jennison “the authority…to organize the colored regiments in the State…with no conditions of any sort.” Hoyt says that Jennison will be pleased to receive suggestions from Robinson regarding this work.
Date: August 12, 1862

Title: From T.W. Trego to Dear Sister Alice
Description: This letter, dated June 10, 1862, is from T.W. Trego in Chicago to his sister-in-law Alice. He asks Alice about her husband Joseph, a lieutenant in the 5th Kansas Cavalry Regiment. He mentions that Col. Jennison told him that Joseph might have been transferred to the 6th Regiment; he asks Alice whether this is true. T.W. adds that he hopes “the biggest part of the fuss will soon be over so that Joseph can be released from his duties in the field, and devote himself to you.”
Date: June 10, 1862

Title: From D.R. Anthony to Dear Father
Description: On December 22, 1861, D.R. Anthony writes a letter to his father, describing recent “skirmishes” with rebels. He says that he and his comrades killed Hurst, a Missouri Confederate colonel, and several of his soldiers. They also gave horses, mules, oxen, wagons, and carriages to 129 slaves and helped them escape to Kansas. Anthony informs his father that he took possession of a Secessionist flag in Harrisonville, Missouri, and adds that he hopes to take Col. Jennison’s position if Jennison is promoted to General.
Object Type: Letter
Date: December 22, 1861

Title: From Abishai Stowell to "Dear Sister"
Description: On May 19, 1862, Abishai Stowell writes from Fort Riley, Kansas, to his sister. Stowell reports that the entire New Mexico Brigade, except his own regiment, was ordered back to Leavenworth, Kansas. He says that Co. A and D of his regiment will soon move to Fort Union in New Mexico to guard a train, while the rest of the regiment will continue to guard Fort Riley. Stowell states that it is unlikely he will visit home again before he is discharged because he will be so far away.
Object Type: Letter
Date: May 19, 1862

Title: From Daniel R. Anthony to Dear Sister
Description: Daniel R. Anthony writes a letter from Camp “Johnson” in Morristown, Missouri to his sister on December 26, 1861. He tells her that he is in command of the camp and 1500 troops while Col. Jennison is away in Mound City, Missouri. Anthony says that he and three other commanders have occupied a Secessionist soldier’s house and established it as their headquarters. He reports that he expects to stay there for about two months, and then move south.
Object Type: Letter
Date: December 26, 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

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