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Title: From Florella Brown Adair to Samuel Lyle Adair and Emma Adair
Description: This letter, dated November 21, 1860, was written by Florella Brown Adair in Hudson, Ohio to her husband Samuel Lyle Adair and daughter Emma in Osawatomie, Kansas. Florella responds to their recent letters, which were “so complaining and discouraging, that I feel more like staying away, than hurrying home…it seems to me that the Territory is cursed of the Lord and that it is fighting against him to try to live there and do anything but barely to exist…I cannot help feeling a perfect disgust for Kansas life, and most of Kansas people.” Florella adds that she read about the “Montgomery and Fort Scott troubles” in the newspapers.
Object Type: Letter
Date: November 21, 1860

Title: From William Clarke Quantrill to William W. Scott
Description: William Clarke Quantrill writes a letter from Olathe, Kansas to William W. Scott on January 22, 1858. Quantrill reports the results of a recent election on the Lecompton Constitution, which he refers to as the "Lecompton swindle." He mentions a recent skirmish at Fort Scott and declares it "a pity" that the Kansas settlers "had not shot every Missourian that was there." He also calls James Henry Lane "as good a man as we have here" and describes Kansas Democrats as "rascals."
Date: January 22, 1858

Title: From George Collamore to G.L. Stearns
Description: This letter was written on May 2 and 7, 1861 by George Collamore in Leavenworth, Kansas to G.L. Stearns in Boston. Collamore writes that Kansas is under threat of attack from Missouri and the Cherokee and Osage Indians, and that Kansas’s defenses are weak. He reports that Gov. Robinson offered him the position of Quartermaster General of the Kansas Militia, which he temporarily accepted. Collamore asks Stearns to send “thick colored blankets” and other items to Kansas, urging Stearns to keep his activities secret and to be cautious about what he writes in future letters.
Object Type: Letter
Date: May 2, 1861 and May 7, 1861

Title: From Samuel Ayres to Lyman Langdon
Description: Samuel Ayres writes a letter from Centreville, Linn County, Kansas, to Lyman Langdon on January 7, 1859. The letter includes a copy of a December 30, 1858 article from the Lawrence Republican titled “Who is Responsible?” The article argues that the guerrilla violence in Linn and Bourbon Counties is not the fault of the Free State supporters, as many have argued, but is rather the fault of the proslavery Democrats. The article also explains how Captain Montgomery has tried to defend Free Staters: “his practice has been to warn an offender to leave in a given time . . . If he does not leave at that time, a company of men called ‘jay-hawkers’ goes and takes a part of his property . . . and otherwise frightens him, thus compelling him to leave.” Ayres ends the letter with the news that he has been instructed to put Linn County under martial law.
Date: January 7, 1859

Title: From Charles Adair to Samuel Lyle Adair
Description: This letter was written ca. 1862 by Charles Adair in camp in Missouri to his father Samuel Lyle Adair. Charles reports that his company has been on the march through Missouri and recently passed “Col. Riches camp on cow creek where we found him & his Indians they had had a battle with the sesech a few days before and whipped them…the sesech attacked him & when the Indians heard the firing they shot all the prisoners they had on hand…wheather Richey approved of it or not I do not know, it was a barberous act at any rate.”

Title: Diary of Dr. J.H.P. Baker
Description: This is an excerpt from the diary of Dr. J.H.P. Baker, an army doctor working under the command of Gen. Joseph O. Shelby. The entries included here are from October 10-27, 1864. Baker discusses conscription, bushwhackers, travelling across Missouri, and marching to Price’s headquarters. He mentions the Battle of Boonville, the Second Battle of Lexington, the Battle of the Big Blue, the Second Battle of Independence, the Battle of Westport, and the Battle of Cedar Creek.
Object Type: Diary
Date: October 10, 1864-October 27, 1864

Title: From Joseph H. Trego to Alice Trego
Description: This letter, dated June 1 and 6, 1862, is from Lieut. Joseph H. Trego to his wife Alice. On June 1, he tells Alice that he recently left Fort Scott, Kansas and travelled to Camp Greenwood, where his regiment, the 5th Kansas Cavalry, had been ordered to protect provision trains. He also tells her that Capt. Clarke, an officer in his regiment, was shot and killed while intoxicated and on duty. Trego continues the letter on June 6 and informs Alice that he has moved to a camp in Rolla, Missouri.
Date: June 1, 1862 and June 6, 1862

Title: From S.S. Abney to William Van Lear
Description: S.S. Abney writes from Morgan County, Missouri to William Van Lear on December 5, 1860. He tells Van Lear that troops are pursuing James Montgomery, who has taken possession of Fort Scott after robbing and murdering Kansas residents. Abney expresses hope for the future of Kansas, but predicts that "we are on the verge of perilous times."
Date: December 5, 1860

Title: From Florella Brown Adair to Samuel Lyle Adair
Description: This letter was written on December 13 and 14, 1862 by Florella Brown Adair in Osawatomie, Kansas, to her husband Samuel Lyle Adair. Florella writes that Robert Loomis, a local soldier, is home on furlough with the news that their son Charles is well. Loomis reports that Charles asked him to take $35.00 to his family, but the money was stolen from him in Fort Scott, Kansas. Florella tells Samuel she believes Loomis gambled with the money and lost it all.
Date: December 13, 1862-December 14, 1862

Title: From Abishai Stowell to "Dear Sister"
Description: On November 14, 1863, Abishai Stowell writes from Fort Smith, Arkansas to his sister. Stowell reports that on November 12, Gen. Blunt arrived from Fort Scott with 250 wagons, and more wagons arrived from Springfield, Missouri. "It is thought by some that Gen Blunt will go South with his command in a few days," Stowell writes.
Date: November 14, 1863

Title: From Robert M. Stewart to Samuel Medary
Description: This letter, dated December 31, 1858, is from Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart to Kansas Gov. Samuel Medary. Stewart reports a recent invasion by James Montgomery and his “band of marauders” and says that he has received a request to send an officer to the border to capture armed men and prevent Montgomery from escaping. Stewart also informs Medary that the Missouri General Assembly is in session and will discuss preventing further invasions and bringing the guilty to justice.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: December 31, 1858

Title: From Joseph H. Trego to Alice Trego
Description: This letter, dated December 21, 1863, is from Joseph H. Trego, a lieutenant in the 5th Kansas Cavalry Regiment, to his wife Alice. He informs Alice that his regiment has just arrived at Fort Smith, Arkansas and that they have settled into warm and comfortable quarters. He jokes about “flirting around with the secesh ladies” and says it is possible he will be home by Christmas.
Object Type: Letter
Date: December 21, 1863

Title: From A.J. Huntoon to My Dear Wife
Description: This letter, dated September 4, 1861, is from A.J. Huntoon to his wife Lizzie. He reports that his regiment, a part of Lane’s Brigade, has recently moved to Camp Lincoln in Bourbon County, Kansas. He describes several recent battles between his regiment and a large contingent of Secessionists. He tells Lizzie that he has been put in charge of a military hospital, and he discusses caring for wounded soldiers. He states that his regiment is anticipating and preparing for an imminent attack.
Date: September 4, 1861

Title: Muster-Out Roll of Hugh D. Fisher, Chaplain
Description: This muster-out roll, dated August 26, 1864, certifies the honorable discharge of Hugh D. Fisher, Chaplain of the 5th Regiment of Kansas Cavalry Volunteers. Rev. Fisher served from August 16, 1861 to June 30, 1864, and was mustered out “by reason of expiration of term of service.”
Date: August 26, 1864

Title: From Daniel L. Chandler to James H. Buxton
Description: In a letter dated May 5, 1862, Daniel L. Chandler writes to James H. Buxton. Chandler is encamped on the prairie near Fort Scott, but expects to be ordered to Fort Scott in a few days. He informs James that his mother and brothers have been driven from Arkansas by the "secesh" and are now in Missouri, and that James's brother Thomas is in a "Missouri Union Regt." stationed at Mount Vernon, Missouri. Chandler also discusses James's discharge from the military.
Object Type: Letter
Date: May 5, 1862

Title: From Joseph H. Trego to Alice Trego
Description: This letter, dated November 7, 1863, is from Lieut. Joseph H. Trego of the 5th Kansas Cavalry Regiment to his wife Alice. He tells her that he recently left Fort Scott, Kansas and travelled to Maysville, Arkansas. He adds that he will be marching to Fort Smith soon and does not expect to run into any danger. He also mentions that Capt. Haskell has been relieved of his duties and is leaving the regiment.
Object Type: Letter
Date: November 7, 1863

Title: From John F. Youngs to Jenney and Mother
Description: This letter is from Lt. John F. Youngs, Company E, 5th Regiment, to his family. Youngs writes from camp in Fort Scott, Kansas on September 18, 1861 and gives a detailed account of the Battle of Dry Wood Creek. He describes hiding in a ravine and firing on thousands of advancing troops. Since then, "we have been buisy scouting with an occasional scirmish," and says that an infantry company has gone to "break up a secession camp."
Object Type: Letter
Date: September 18, 1861

Title: From D.M. Frost to Robert M. Stewart
Description: This dispatch, dated December 5, 1860, is from Brig. Gen. D.M. Frost to Missouri Gov. Robert M. Stewart. He reports that he marched to the Kansas-Missouri border and learned that James Montgomery and his forces were stationed at Mound City, Kansas; Frost thus concentrated his troops nearby, on the Marais des Cygnes River. Frost also states his intention to organize a force of 500 men and assures Stewart that they will “be able to restore confidence and establish a permanent peace on our border.”
Date: December 5, 1860

Title: From Abishai Stowell to "Dear Sister"
Description: On September 20, 1862, Abishai Stowell writes from Camp Drywood near Fort Scott, Kansas, to his sister. Stowell says that his regiment just returned from Fort Union, New Mexico. He was able to visit home on the return trip, and reports that most of the family is well. Stowell also gives his sister a list of the officers of his regiment, including General James G. Blunt, Col. William F. Cloud, and Lt. Col. Owen A. Bassett.
Date: September 20, 1862

Title: Appendix to the Journals of the Twenty-First General Assembly of Missouri
Description: The Appendix to the Journals of the Twenty-First General Assembly of Missouri was printed in 1861 by W.G. Cheeney in Jefferson City, Missouri. It includes petitions and letters to Gov. Robert M. Stewart about the guerrilla attacks on Missouri led by James Montgomery and Charles Jennison. The appendix also includes Brig. Gen. D.M. Frost’s report on the South-West Expedition, affidavits relating to Jennison’s murder of Russell Hindes, and proceedings from the Southern Kansas Convention.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1861

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

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