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From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Title
From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description
In a May 9, 1863 letter from Calhoun, Missouri, John A. Bushnell tells Eugenia Bronaugh that he has cancelled a trip to visit her in Hickory Grove, Missouri, out of fear for his safety. He also fears discussing information that he has read in newspapers, for “I may be charged with stating it wrong.” He warns Eugenia to be careful and to not talk about “what the Rebels are going to do.”
Object Type
Letter
Date
May 9, 1863
From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Title
From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description
On November 26, 1864, John A. Bushnell writes from Calhoun, Missouri to Eugenia Bronaugh in Hickory Grove, Missouri. John states that his recent trip to and from St. Louis was slowed by “those pesky rebels” who tore up the railroad, and Federals who burned the bridges. John says that since both armies were acting in accordance with the law of “self preservation,” which is "the first law of war," he will not complain.
Object Type
Letter
Date
November 26, 1864
From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Title
From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description
John A. Bushnell of Calhoun, Missouri writes a letter on February 28, 1863 to Eugenia Bronaugh in Hickory Grove, Missouri. He tells her that “petty acts of tyranny have been committed elsewhere” and predicts that if similar violence occurs where he lives, his neighbors will be too cowardly to defend themselves. He also complains about censorship in newspapers and shares news that General Price “is appointed to the command in rebel army west of the Mississippi.”
Object Type
Letter
Date
February 28, 1863
From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Title
From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description
This letter, dated August 3, 4, and 6, 1862, is from John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh. Bushnell states that two Missouri Militia companies came into his town and ordered every citizen over the age of fifteen to join arms. They also ordered women “not to give any encouragement to Southern men or Companies, not to waive a Handkerchief, not to talk or give advice to the enemy.” Bushnell also mentions an order issued in a recent newspaper for Southern sympathizers to stay at home and surrender their arms.
Object Type
Letter
Date
August 3, 1862-August 6, 1862
From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Title
From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description
John A. Bushnell writes a letter from Clinton, Missouri to Eugenia Bronaugh in Hickory Grove, Missouri. In the letter, dated July 3 and 5, 1864, Bushnell expresses fear that his life may be in danger and that his letters may be misconstrued as disloyal. He criticizes traitors and declares that this country was “not made by selfish hands for selfish purposes.” He says that soldiers have left Calhoun, and that he would like to know what they are doing next, but does not want to “manifest any unusual curiosities.” He also mentions hearing a sermon on Independence Day about racial equality.
Object Type
Letter
Date
July 3, 1864-July 5, 1864
From Eugenia Bronaugh to John A. Bushnell
Title
From Eugenia Bronaugh to John A. Bushnell
Description
Eugenia Bronaugh writes a letter from Hickory Grove, Missouri to John A. Bushnell of Calhoun, Missouri on October 15, 1863. She says that she went to the post office to pick up a letter from him and the officer on duty refused to give it to her because it had been determined to be disloyal. Eugenia argues that, “You meant no disloyalty, it is far from you to do anything against our government—the government which has and is protecting us.” Nevertheless, she warns him to “weigh every word” he writes.
Object Type
Letter
Date
October 15, 1863
From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Title
From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description
On February 11, 1864 John A. Bushnell writes from Calhoun, Missouri to Eugenia Bronaugh in Hickory Grove, Missouri. John writes that he has been suffering from a cold he caught on a recent trip to Sedalia, Missouri. He plans to visit Eugenia during the upcoming weekend. John states, "I have not succeeded yet in getting a house for my contrabands,” presumably referring to recently freed slaves.
Object Type
Letter
Date
February 11, 1864
From G.H. Forkney to Col. Peery
Title
From G.H. Forkney to Col. Peery
Description
This letter, dated June 13, 1856, is from G.H. Forkney in Basin Knob, Missouri to Col. Peery. Forkney discusses business dealings, then goes on to describe the "deplorable state of affairs" in Kansas Territory: "murders are common & occasionally the women & children fall victim to the fury of the northern fanatics." He reports that President Franklin Pierce has put Kansas under martial law, and that Missourians are preparing for "a war of extermination."
Object Type
Letter
Date
June 13, 1856
From J.T. Peery to Dear Mother and Father
Title
From J.T. Peery to Dear Mother and Father
Description
This letter, dated November 22, 1856, is from J.T. Peery to his parents. Peery, a preacher, mentions his new assignment to a church in Independence, Missouri. He describes the volatile conditions of the area: "The land is overrun with men who have thrown off all moral restraint & appear to act as if they do not fear God . . . in this part of the country some are becoming awake to a sence of the dangers."
Object Type
Letter
Date
November 22, 1856
From Eugenia Bronaugh to John A. Bushnell
Title
From Eugenia Bronaugh to John A. Bushnell
Description
Eugenia Bronaugh writes to John Bushnell from Hickory Grove, Missouri on May 30, 1865. She describes a severe thunderstorm, and says the shrubbery in her garden is “destroyed since the war.” Eugenia says her relatives in Saline County, Missouri wish they could relocate from their home because it reminds them of “evils committed in the name of ‘Liberty.’” Eugenia herself also longs to relocate to escape unfaithful friends and memories of “the cruelties of war.”
Object Type
Letter
Date
May 30, 1865
From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Title
From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description
John A. Bushnell writes a letter from St. Louis to Eugenia Bronaugh of Hickory Grove, Missouri. In the letter, dated December 14, 1863, Bushnell says that he would like to return to Henry County, but is concerned about his safety. He also tells her that he feels it is his duty to take care of his recently freed slaves, and says that he wants to rent a house for them and help them to “see what freedom is.”
Object Type
Letter
Date
December 14, 1863
From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Title
From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description
On October 26, 1864, John A. Bushnell writes from Calhoun, Missouri to Eugenia Bronaugh in Hickory Grove, Missouri. John refers to a fight “at Clinton yesterday,” and adds that several local men have joined the Confederates; John himself has been “sworn and paroled.” John predicts that “bands of men” will soon be “robbing and plundering” on the order of Bushwhackers and other groups. He advises Eugenia to hide her valuables and “any letters you do not want read” in case her house is searched. John writes of hearing rumors about the whereabouts of General Price’s army.
Object Type
Letter
Date
October 26, 1864
From Eugenia Bronaugh to John A. Bushnell
Title
From Eugenia Bronaugh to John A. Bushnell
Description
Eugenia Bronaugh writes a letter, dated January 12, 1864, to John A. Bushnell in St. Louis. She tells him that a few friends recently visited her in Hickory Grove, Missouri, and sang patriotic songs. She describes them as “devoted and faithful friends to the Government” and wishes that everyone “were so true!” She updates him about other mutual acquaintances, and expresses a wish for peace and safety.
Object Type
Letter
Date
January 12, 1864
From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Title
From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description
On July 29, 1863, John A. Bushnell writes a letter to Eugenia Bronaugh in Calhoun, Missouri, informing her that he has arrived in St. Louis. He had planned to apply for exemption from military service during his trip to St. Louis, but has discovered that he must apply to the Board of Enrollment in his home district. He says he hopes to familiarize himself with news of the war, which has been difficult to do in Calhoun: “as now is a critical period of the times I can perhaps inform myself better here than at home.”
Object Type
Letter
Date
July 29, 1863