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Title: From Mary E. Bedford to A.M. Bedford
Description: This letter, dated June 13, 1863, is from Mary E. Bedford to her husband, Lieut. Alex M. Bedford. She states that she sent him $30 and asks if he needs more money or clothing. She also reports that she has rented out her farm and that she might spend the summer visiting relatives in Kentucky. She asks her husband if she would be permitted to visit him.
Date: June 13, 1863

Title: Death of General Lyon
Description: This cover of the August 24, 1861 issue of Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper contains an illustration of the death of General Nathaniel Lyon at the Battle of Wilson's Creek on August 10, 1861.
Object Type: Image
Date: August 24, 1861

Title: From Samuel Worthington to My Dear Father
Description: Samuel Worthington writes a letter from Fort Riley, Kansas to his father on October 12, 1864. He has just received news that Gen. Price is advancing his forces, and he expresses fear that Kansas does not have enough troops to defeat him. He also mentions the possibility of a new treaty with the Indians. In a postscript, Worthington reports that Rebels have just arrived in Kansas City, and tells his father “goodbye—If I dont return remember I fought for the right.”
Date: October 12, 1864

Title: Examination of Joel H. Martin
Description: This is Joel H. Martin's 1866 Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Martin, a native of Kentucky, states that he has lived in Missouri for 34 years. He says he served in the State Guard during the war and "was arrested on suspicion of being a bushwhacker and was under arrest six weeks." He was later acquitted of the charge. The oath is contained in a bound volume.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: Examination of James D. Baxter
Description: This is James D. Baxter's Oath of Loyalty to the United States, given on September 22, 1866. Baxter, a twenty-seven year old resident of Liberty, Missouri, states that during the Civil War, he "sympathized with the Government" and served in the Missouri State Militia. He swears that he only left Missouri once during the war, when he was hired to "take some negroes South." He admits that he has cousins who served in the Missouri State Guard, but attests that "I know nothing further." The oath, No. 1 in a bound volume, is signed by Baxter and by James W. James, Clay County Register.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: September 22, 1866

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: Battle of Wilson's Creek
Description: This sketch, originally published in Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper on August 31, 1861, depicts the Battle of Wilson's Creek. The caption states: "The Great Battle of the West, Wilson's Creek, Missouri-Repulse of the Rebel Cavalry by a section of artillery under Capt. Totten, U. S. A., supported by a company of Capt. Wood's Kansas Rangers (Cavalry), and two companies of Second Regiment of Kansas Volunteers."
Object Type: Image
Date: August 31, 1861

Title: From James Montgomery to George L. Stearns
Description: This letter, dated March 11, 1861, was written by James Montgomery in Mound City, Kansas, to George L. Stearns. Montgomery offers his opinion of sending fugitive slaves to Canada: “it will cost less to protect them here…and, besides, the principle is much better.” He believes that “Kansas is truly a free state, and ever shall be. A fugitive can travel as safely here, in Southern Kansas, as he can in Canada.” Montgomery adds that a free African-American was recently kidnapped by the Missouri Militia, because his guns had not been kept in firing condition.
Date: March 11, 1861

Title: From Mary E. Bedford to Alex M. Bedford
Description: On August 11, 1863, Mary E. Bedford writes from her home to her husband, Alex M. Bedford. Mary says that she has not yet received her permit to visit him, and writes that she hopes the war will soon end. She says that she is ready to go to Kentucky to stay with relatives, because although “times are better hear now…the Lord only knows how long [they] may stay so.” Mary also informs Alex that Cousin Oscar is in Tennessee serving in General Wheeler’s army.
Date: August 11, 1863

Title: From W.L. Wood to W.P. Howard
Description: This letter, dated July 19, 1861, is from W.L. Wood in Liberty Landing, Missouri to Col. W.P. Howard in St. Louis. Wood informs Howard that he went to Lexington, Missouri with state troops and planned to travel farther south, but "did not precisely understand" Gov. Claiborne Fox Jackson's intentions. He expresses ambivalence about Jackson, but supports his stance against Lincoln, and declares that he wants "to see Lincoln's troops whipped."
Date: July 19, 1861

Title: Battlegrounds of Price's Raid
Description: Maps of the battlefields at "Mine Creek, Oct. 22d 64," "Westport, Oct. 23d 64" "Charlot, Oct. 25th 64," and "Newtonia, Nov. 4th 64," showing the positions of troops, roads, drainage, a few houses, and relief by hachures. Charlot refers to "Charlot's Farm" near Richards, MO. This event is better known as the Battle of the Marmaton River. The Battle of Mine Creek took place south of Pleasanton, KS.
Date: 1865

Title: From Alex M. Bedford to Mary E. Bedford
Description: On November 4, 1862, Alex M. Bedford writes to his wife, Mary E. Bedford. Alex says that he was wounded and taken as a prisoner of war by the Federals near Corinth, Mississippi. He is now staying at the home of a wealthy man in Franklin County, Alabama, where “we are furnished with every thing we want…the kindness I have received from the family I will never forget.” Alex instructs Mary to direct her letters to Iuka Hospital via Corinth, and declares, “If I get killed I cannot die in a better cause.”
Date: November 4, 1862

Title: Battle of Wilson's Creek
Description: This sketch, originally published in Harper's Weekly on August 31, 1861, depicts the Union retreat at the end of the Battle of Wilson's Creek on August 10, 1861, after Nathaniel Lyon's death and after Sigel's horses had been killed. The caption states: "General Siegel forcing his prisoners [Confederate and Native American] to draw off his cannon at the Battle of Springfield." Although Harper's Weekly describes this as the Battle of Springfield, this conflict has come to be known as the Battle of Wilson's Creek. The next skirmish in the area, Zagonyi's Charge, occured near Springfield, Missouri on October 25, 1861.
Object Type: Image
Date: August 31, 1861

Title: Battle of Pea Ridge
Description: This illustration of the final advance of Union troops at the Battle of Pea Ridge was originally published in Harper's Weekly on March 8, 1862.
Object Type: Image
Date: March 8, 1862

Title: Letters Sent (Provost Marshal's Office, 7th District Missouri)
Description: This notebook contains copies of letters sent from the Provost Marshal's Office, 7th District of Missouri, in St. Joseph, Missouri, between April 22, 1865 and October 6, 1865. The letters, written by Abraham C. Miller, Acting Provost Marshal of the 7th District, include information on closing up the Provost Marshal's Office and a detailed report on the office's history, organization, and management.
Date: April 22, 1865-October 6, 1865

Title: Battle field of Lexington
Description: Battle field of Lexington, Mo., showing plan of earthwork defended by Federal and State troops under command of Col. James A. Mulligan, U.S.A. during the 18th, 19th and 20th Sept. 1861. Surrendered to Genl. Sterling Price, C.S.A., Sept. 20th 1861. This map Shows fortifications, troop positions, vegetation, drainage, streets, and relief by hachures and spot heights. Important sites are listed in the legend and keyed to the map by letters.
Date: 1870-1879

Title: Examination of Mich Moran
Description: This is Mich Moran's 1866 Oath of Loyalty to the United States. Moran, a 50-year-old native of Ireland, states that he has resided in Missouri for 12 years and served in the State Guard under Capt. Duncan during the war. He says he was required to give bond, although "I considered myself loyal." The oath is No. 234 in a bound volume.
Object Type: Government Document
Date: 1866

Title: From E.B. Alexander to William Fowler
Description: On September 1, 1863, Col. E.B. Alexander, Acting Assistant Provost Marshal General in St. Louis, writes to Capt. William Fowler, Provost Marshal for the 7th District of Missouri, in St. Joseph, Missouri. Alexander instructs Fowler that deserters from "the Rebel Army" who are drafted will not be forced to serve against the Confederates. Instead, they should be given another military duty or discharged from the service.
Date: September 1, 1863

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: Gen. Joseph Orville Shelby (1830-1897)
Description: Painted portrait of General Joseph Orville Shelby seated in dress coat and holding a saber.
Object Type: Image

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

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