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Title: 1860 Missouri Census Table
Description: This ca. 1860 printed document presents the results of the 1860 Missouri census, showing the population of whites, “free colored” and slaves in each county. The table lists the total state population as 1,182,012, with 1,063,599 whites, 3,572 Free Colored, and 114,931 slaves. Lafayette County has the largest slave population with 6,374 slaves. The table also reveals a small American Indian population in Gasconade and Jackson Counties.
Object Type: Government Document

Title: Application of James R. Eshill
Description: This is James R. Eshill’s application for compensation from the United States government for the military service of his slave, Allen. The application, dated November 9, 1866, includes an oath of allegiance to the United States, a power of attorney transfer to Isaac C. Dodge, and a statement that Eshill, of Howard County, Missouri, lawfully purchased his slave. The application is signed by four witnesses and a notary public in Cooper County, Missouri.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: November 9, 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: Diary of C.T. Kimmel
Description: This is an excerpt from the diary of C.T. Kimmel, an assistant surgeon in the 2nd Missouri State Militia Cavalry. The entries, dated May 10 – June 2, 1865, describe Kimmel mustering out of service and returning home to Chariton County, Missouri. He mentions nearby guerrilla warfare, and writes about mourning the death of President Lincoln. Attached is an invitation to a New Year’s Union Ball on December 31, 1865 in Brunswick, Missouri.
Object Type: Diary
Date: May 10, 1865-December 30, 1865

Title: Letters Relating to Enlistment in Missouri
Description: This is a bound volume of letters written by Col. E.B. Alexander, Chief Mustering Officer of the 10th United States Infantry. The letters, dated August 23 - October 10, 1864, relate to enrollments, quotas, and enlistments of troops in Missouri.
Date: August 23, 1864 - October 10, 1864

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 Benjamin Reeves to J.F. Benjamin
Description: This letter, dated August 31, 1863, is from Benjamin Reeves to Col. J.F. Benjamin, Provost Marshal of the 8th district of Missouri. Reeves, the Enrolling Officer of Howard County, Missouri, reports that he has had difficulty finding citizens willing to enlist in the military. He also reports that there has been much "excitement" in the area, as Bushwhackers have been "committing outrages every day and night."
Date: August 31, 1863

Title: Chariton Negros, Enlisted at Glasgow
Description: This military roll, ca. 1863-1864, lists the names of former slaves from Chariton County, Missouri who were enlisted in Howard County, Missouri. The list includes the names of the recruits' former owners and is signed by Col. C.H. Green. A note at the bottom from J.W. Boyer states that he has tried unsuccessfully to obtain the descriptions and dates of enlistment for the recruits.

Title: Application of Horace Kingsbury
Description: This is Horace Kingsbury’s application for compensation from the United States government for the military service of his slave, Albert Cavanaugh. The application, dated November 8, 1866, includes an oath of allegiance to the United States, a statement that Kingsbury lawfully purchased his slave, a power of attorney transfer to Isaac C. Dodge, and the signatures of two witnesses and a notary public in Cooper County, Missouri. A note in pencil on the seventh page indicates that the application was rejected. Also included is Albert Cavanaugh’s enlistment form, signed and dated January 11, 1864.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: January 11, 1864 and November 8, 1866

Title: Deed of Emancipation of William Swinney's Slaves
Description: This legal document, dated August 18, 1863, sets terms for emancipating the slaves belonging to the late William D. Swinney of Howard County, Missouri. It was prepared and signed by James O. Swinney and William Morrison, executors of his last will and testament. An attached document, signed by L.H. Swinney, James O. Swinney, and William Morrison, states that the three signers agree to pay the cost to convey all of William Swinney's former slaves out of Missouri.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: August 18, 1863

Title: Contract for Hire of Slaves
Description: This contract states that William D. Swinney and James O. Swinney will pay Mrs. Mary Enyart $175 to hire two of her slaves, Margaret and David, for one year. The Swinneys promise to pay for the slaves' clothing and medical bills, noting that "Lost time from military violence or running away [will] be deducted from the hire." The contract was signed January 1, 1863 in Howard County, Missouri.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: January 1, 1863

Title: Special Orders, No. 37
Description: Special Order No. 37 was issued by John Gray, the Adjutant General of Missouri, on March 26, 1863 in St. Louis. The order certifies that the State of Missouri has accepted the resignation of Capt. James O. Swinney of the Enrolled Missouri Militia. A note at the bottom indicates that a copy of this document was sent to Swinney in Glasgow, Missouri.
Date: March 26, 1863

Title: Deed of Emancipation of James O. Swinney's Slaves
Description: In this document, James O. Swinney announces that he will emancipate his slaves on January 1, 1864, "in view of the present condition of the institution of slavery." He adds that if he dies before that date, his brother-in-law, William Morrison, will be appointed as his trustee. This document was signed by Swinney and two witnesses, W.H. Savage and James C. Savage, in Howard County, Missouri, on September 4, 1863.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: September 4, 1863

Title: Swinney Family Portrait
Description: This black-and-white portrait, ca. 1860, was made from an original daguerreotype of the Swinney family of Glasgow, Missouri. James O. Swinney served as a captain and aide-de-camp in the Enrolled Missouri Militia from 1862-1863.
Object Type: Image

Title: From Joseph A. Lewis to Jonathan B. Fuller
Description: This letter, dated March 13, 1864, is from Joseph A. Lewis in Glasgow, Missouri to Rev. Jonathan B. Fuller in Louisiana, Missouri. Lewis asks Fuller to clarify some of the details of Order 61, which requires ministers to take an oath of loyalty to the United States. He expresses support for the order, declaring, "I can not, and will not, sit under the preaching of a disloyal man."
Date: March 13, 1864

Title: From Thomas C. Fletcher to "Col."
Description: On March 19, 1866, Missouri Gov. Thomas C. Fletcher writes from the Executive Department in Jefferson City, Missouri to "Col." Fletcher reports that Jim Anderson and his men are in Franklin, Howard County, Missouri, and writes, "If they can be captured or killed it would be the best thing for the state I know of." Fletcher believes a platoon would be sufficient for this task, and urges the "Col." to "take hold of the matter."
Object Type: Government Document
Date: March 19, 1866

Title: Certificate of Exemption of James O. Swinney
Description: This document exempts James O. Swinney from serving in the Missouri Militia during 1864, as per General Order No. 19. The exemption was issued by the Office of Commissary of Exemptions in Howard County, Missouri on April 30, 1864. It was signed by Capt. George H. Carson, Commissary of Exemptions for Howard County.
Date: April 30, 1864

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

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