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Title: From R.C. Ewing to George R. Smith
Description: On June 18, 1856, R.C. Ewing writes from Lexington, Missouri to Gen. George R. Smith. Ewing warns Smith that his opinions regarding Kansas "are doing you…damage in Saline, Lafayette, and Jackson" counties in Missouri because "those who control matters here, say they are afraid of the effect of compromising anything on the Slavery question." Ewing predicts that these three counties will oppose Smith's nomination.
Date: June 18, 1856

Title: Application of John T. Doxey
Description: This is John T. Doxey’s application for compensation from the United States government for the military service of his slave, Samuel. The application, dated December 7, 1866, includes an oath of allegiance to the United States, a statement that Doxey lawfully inherited his slave, and the signatures of two witnesses and a notary public in Chariton County, Missouri. Attached is a note from November 8, 1864 declaring that Doxey has proven his loyalty to the Union and deserves federal protection. The note is signed by Captain Henry Bucksath of the 35th Regiment of Missouri Militia, Company G.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: November 8, 1864-December 7, 1866

Title: Report of Colored Recruits Enlisted, Warrensburg, Missouri
Description: This military roll, dated March 16, 1864, shows the "colored recruits" enlisted at Warrensburg, Missouri between November 1863 and March 1864. The roll lists each recruit's name, county, and owner. The document is signed by Lieut. J.H. Smith, Assistant Provost Marshal and Recruiting Officer, and addressed to Capt. A. Comingo, Provost Marshal for the 6th District of Missouri.
Date: March 16, 1864

Title: From William S. Field to George R. Smith
Description: On May 27, 1856, William S. Field writes from Lexington, Missouri to Gen. George R. Smith in Georgetown, Pettis County, Missouri. Field states that he has consented to run for Circuit Attorney if he becomes the nominee for the American party, and will likely run against Mr. Crews of Saline County, Missouri. He refers to "the contest for Congress" between Smith and Mr. Akers, and warns Smith that "Many here are trying to slay you on the negro question, which is unjust & wrong."
Date: May 27, 1856

Title: From Henry H. Harris to Isaac C. Dodge
Description: This letter, dated February 14, 1867, is from Henry H. Harris of Arrow Rock, Missouri to attorney Isaac C. Dodge of St. Louis. Harris states that he is sending Dodge claims from two former slave owners seeking compensation from the United States government for the military service of their slaves. The first claim, he says, is from Bemis Brown, former owner of eight male slaves, and the second is from Mary C. George, former owner of one male slave. Harris also asks Dodge about the status of a previous claim.
Date: February 14, 1867

Title: From J. Locke Hardeman to George R. Smith
Description: On June 10, 1855, J. Locke Hardeman writes from Saline County, Missouri to George R. Smith in Georgetown, Missouri. Hardeman asserts that he differs "very widely" from Smith in his opinion on the Kansas question. "If Kansas be settled by Abolitionists," Hardeman asks, "can Missouri remain a slave state? If Missouri goes by the board what will become of Kentucky[,] Maryland, Virginia?...I know that Abolition & Union can not stand together."
Object Type: Letter
Date: June 10, 1855

Title: From J.H. Smith to A. Comingo
Description: On March 17, 1864, Assistant Provost Marshal J.H. Smith writes from the Headquarters of the 3rd Sub-District, Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Missouri, presumably to Capt. A. Comingo, Provost Marshal for the 6th District of Missouri. Smith states that he is sending a list of "colored recruits" enlisted from Lafayette, Jackson, and Saline Counties since January 1, 1864.
Date: March 17, 1864

Title: Application of William H.H. Isaacs
Description: This is William H.H. Isaacs’s application for compensation from the United States government for the military service of his slave, Thomas Johnson. The application, dated November 16, 1866, includes an oath of allegiance to the United States, a power of attorney transfer to Isaac C. Dodge, and the signatures of four witnesses, a notary public, and a justice of the peace in Saline County, Missouri.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: November 16, 1866

Title: Application of Pink D. Booker
Description: These are documents from Pink D. Booker’s application for compensation from the United States government for the military service of his slave, Stef Bland. The documents, dated November 10, 1866, include a statement that Bland was born into slavery, a power of attorney transfer to Isaac C. Dodge, and the signatures of two witnesses and a notary public in Saline County, Missouri.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: November 10, 1866

Title: From Mary C. Irvine to Mr. Bohart
Description: On September 13, 1863, Mary C. Irvine writes to Mr. Bohart. Mary thanks Bohart for sending news of her son, who was wounded at Champion Hill. She asks Bohart to tell her son that many changes have taken place in the neighborhood, such as the escape of local slaves to Kansas: "Mr. Bedford's negroes have run off and took about $500 worth of horses with them." Mary adds that many of their neighbors are relocating to different states including Kentucky and Illinois, and that it would not be safe for her son to return home now.
Date: September 13, 1863

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