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Title: .44 Caliber Lead Ball
Description: Black and white photograph of a .44 caliber lead ball found by archaeologist Doug Shaver during excavations in 2013 at Wornall House in Kansas City, Missouri. Wornall House, located on the site of the Battle of Westport, became one of six local buildings and houses that served as a hospital for troops wounded during the battle, which was fought from October 21-23, 1864.
Object Type: Image
Date: 2014

Title: From G.W. Veale to George W. Dietzler
Description: On October 30, 1864, this dispatch was sent by Col. G.W. Veale at Headquarters, 2nd Regiment, Kansas State Militia in Topeka, Kansas, to Maj. Gen. Dietzler, Comm. Kansas State Militia. Veale reports on a recent campaign in which his regiment moved from Topeka to Shawneetown in Johnson County, Kansas, to Jackson County, Missouri, where it fought in the Battle of the Blue on October 22, 1864. Veale states that his regiment lost 44 killed and wounded, with 68 men taken prisoner after fighting “a force six times our number for three quarters of an hour.” The dispatch includes a list of the soldiers killed and wounded in the battle.
Date: October 30, 1864

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: From E.F. Slaughter to Eliza Colgan
Description: On December 11, 1864, E.F. Slaughter writes from Hickmans Mill, Jackson County, Missouri, to Mrs. Eliza Colgan. Slaughter, a member of the local home guards, states that he was captured by "Prices men Shelby's division. We were taken to their camp and next morning paroled. We all started home…directly after we started the battle commenced." He says that both the Confederate and Union wounded were taken to Kansas City, "which shows that our armies are merciful as well as brave." He adds that guerrillas are becoming more active in the area since the soldiers have left.
Date: December 11, 1864

Title: From E.F. Slaughter to Eliza Colgan
Description: On February 25, 1863, E.F. Slaughter writes from Hickmans Mill, Missouri to Mrs. Eliza Colgan. Slaughter writes about his crops and livestock and mentions that Jackson County, Missouri "gets thinner settled all the time." He describes being taken prisoner by the Confederates, and declares, "Our country is in an awful condition."
Object Type: Letter
Date: February 25, 1863

Title: From James Griffing to Cuttie
Description: This October 30, 1864 letter was written by James Griffing in Lincoln, to Cuttie. James describes General Price’s capture of the arsenal at Topeka, declaring “The Topeka boys fought like tigers.” He gives an account of acquaintances killed in the Battle of Westport, adding that he believes “Missouri will be safer now.” He cautions Cuttie not to buy much at current prices, since “everything is bound to change after the election.”
Date: October 30, 1864

Title: Report on Price's Raid
Description: James Henry Lane wrote this report ca. October 1864 about his role in the campaign against Price's Raid. Lane states that he accompanied Gen. Blunt, Col. Moonlight, Col. Jennison, and Gen. Curtis on an expedition into Missouri to impede Sterling Price and his forces. Lane describes the Second Battle of Lexington, the Second Battle of Independence, the Battle of Byram's Ford, the Battle of Westport, and the Battle of Little Blue River.

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