Search results

Title: Union Men and Their Sufferings in North-Western Missouri
Description: This 1864 pamphlet, entitled “Union Men and Their Sufferings in North-Western Missouri,” was written by Major J.M. Bassett, former Provost Marshal-General of the Northwest District of Missouri. Bassett provides a “glance at the history of the Rebellion in Northwest Missouri,” admitting “it may be that my hatred for rebels is too intense, my sympathy for loyal men too strong, to make every sentence I write acceptable to all.” The pamphlet, which features several black-and-white illustrations, was published by the Press of Wynkcop, Hallenbeck, and Thomas in New York, with proceeds from its sale given to The Ladies’ Aid Society of St. Joseph, Missouri.
Date: 1864

Title: From Wilson Shannon to E.V. Sumner
Description: This dispatch, dated June 4, 1856, was sent by Kansas Gov. Wilson Shannon in Lecompton, Kansas, to Col. E.V. Sumner at Headquarters, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. With the goal of “preserving the peace and good order of this Territory,” Shannon gives Sumner a detailed set of instructions to station U.S. troops at various points in Franklin and Douglas Counties in Kansas. Shannon warns that in carrying out the plan, the troops must treat all persons equally regardless of party affiliation.
Date: June 4, 1856

Title: Muster Rolls of Kansas Volunteer Regiments
Description: These muster rolls from 1861 and 1862 list the names, ranks, and enrollment dates of soldiers in companies from the 4th and 10th Kansas Volunteer Regiments. They also list the names of soldiers who deserted their regiments or were discharged, transferred, or deceased. The companies were commanded by Capt. James M. Harvey, Capt. James H. Harris, Col. William Weir, and Col. William Cloud.
Date: 1861-1862

Title: From Edward Fitch to Dear Parents
Description: In an April 28, 1861 letter to his parents in Massachusetts, Edward Fitch of Lawrence, Kansas declares, “did you think that you would ever live to see it—a Civil War, the most horrible of all wars.” He informs them that he has joined an artillery company. He adds that the military “is organising in large numbers” in Lawrence, but he expresses his fear that if Missouri secedes from the Union, Kansas will not have enough arms or ammunition for defense. He also expresses concern that the Cherokee and Choctaw tribes will fight for the South.
Date: April 28, 1861

Title: From A.J. Sexton to Catherine
Description: This letter was written on April 6, 1862, by A.J. Sexton to his wife Catherine. A.J. states that his regiment is camped near Lawrence, Kansas and may go next to New Mexico. He writes about the health of the men in his regiment, mentioning several illnesses and deaths. A.J. says that he received two months’ pay the previous week, and plans to send $15.00 to Catherine by express. He asks Catherine if she has received any money from the state, and wants to know “how you get along for money.”
Date: April 6, 1862

Title: From Wilson Shannon to E.V. Sumner
Description: This dispatch, dated May 27, 1856, was sent by Kansas Gov. Wilson Shannon in Lecompton, Kansas, to Col. E.V. Sumner at Headquarters, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Shannon refers to a recent incident in Osawatomie, Kansas, in which five men were murdered by Free State supporters. Shannon states that he has sent Capt. Wood and his company – now stationed at Lawrence, Kansas – to Osawatomie; he therefore orders Col. Sumner to move two companies of U.S. troops to Lawrence and await further instructions.
Date: May 27, 1856

Title: From Wilson Shannon to E.V. Sumner
Description: This dispatch, dated June 1, 1856, was sent by Kansas Gov. Wilson Shannon in Lecompton, Kansas, to Col. E.V. Sumner at Headquarters, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Shannon instructs Sumner to send one company of U.S. troops to reinforce Capt. Newby in Lawrence, Kansas, and a second company to reinforce Capt. Wood in Franklin County, Kansas. Shannon writes that each command is “too weak to deal with the armed bodies of lawless men by which they are surrounded.” Shannon adds that Maj. Sedgwick will communicate with Sumner about the events that have transpired.
Date: June 1, 1856

Title: From Wilson Shannon to E.V. Sumner
Description: This dispatch, dated April 20, 1856, was sent by Kansas Gov. Wilson Shannon in Lecompton, Kansas, to Col. E.V. Sumner. Shannon states that after Douglas County Sheriff Samuel J. Jones arrested a man named S.N. Wood, he was forcibly rescued by a band of men. In order to recapture Wood and make several additional arrests, Shannon instructs Sumner to send an officer and six U.S. troops to Lecompton to assist Jones. Shannon indicates that he prefers to employ U.S. troops for this purpose because of their political neutrality.
Date: April 20, 1856

Title: From Leigh R. Webber to Miss Brown
Description: On May 28 and 29, 1862, Leigh R. Webber writes a letter from the Steamer Robert Campbell Jr. near Liberty, Missouri, to Miss Brown. Webber reports that he spent nine days marching from Fort Riley to Fort Leavenworth, and is now "moving down to 'Dixie's Land'…Our men are dying off so fast at Corinth, that we expect our turn will come next. But there is no fear or shrinking among us." He believes his regiment is better prepared for battle now than they were at the Battle of Wilson's Creek in 1861.
Object Type: Letter
Date: May 28, 1862 - May 29, 1862

Title: From Leigh R. Webber to "Senorita Morena"
Description: This letter, dated April 30, 1862, is from Leigh R. Webber in "Camp of the Kansas First" to "Senorita Morena" (Miss Brown). Webber says his regiment is comfortably situated, and declares, "Fort Riley is not to be slurred at. It beats Fort Leavenworth all hollow, and Fort Scott is nowhere beside it." He reports that "We had a general inspection on Monday, and were mustered this forenoon," and adds that the soldiers will soon receive new equipment and arms.
Object Type: Letter
Date: April 30, 1862

Title: Letter From Judge Lecompte
Description: This September 13, 1856 newspaper article is an open letter from Judge Samuel Lecompte to James A. Stewart, a Maryland Congressman. In the letter, Lecompte defends himself against several charges; he denies that he packed the jury in a murder trial, that he was in possession of illegal whisky, that he misrepresented the crime of treason to a grand jury, and that he participated in a meeting of the Law and Order Party. He states that he is aware of threats to remove him from his post as Chief Justice of Kansas Territory, but he insists that he has been a fair and impartial judge.
Object Type: Newspaper Article
Date: September 13, 1856

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