Category Archives: Anthony at War

Anthony’s Connections to the Harper’s Ferry Raid

When studying D.R. Anthony, there are times when his life takes on a Forrest Gump-like quality, particularly within the abolitionist movement where he frequently appears as an ancillary, yet interesting character. Undoubtedly this phenomenon is true of many historical figures, … Continue reading

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Rival Radicals: D.R. Anthony and Charles Jennison

One of the chief characters who frequently appears alongside Daniel R. Anthony is Charles Rainsford Jennison. He and Anthony served alongside one another during the Civil War, but their relationship was often strained, and they eventually became rivals as the … Continue reading

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A measure of Anthony’s devotion to the Union

The included newspaper image is from page 2 of the August 11, 1863 issue of the Cleveland Morning Leader. The article is a reprint from Anthony’s paper, the Leavenworth Conservative. Why the Cleveland paper picked up this particular story is anybody’s guess, but … Continue reading

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Letters exchanged between Thomas Ewing and Daniel Anthony, July 20th and 22nd, 1863

Click the link below for the full text from the two letters that Thomas Ewing and Daniel Anthony exchanged following Ewing’s declaration of martial law. In these two letters, Ewing and Anthony each lay out their arguments for and against … Continue reading

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“To stop with a rough hand”

On June 26, 1863, General Thomas Ewing Jr. made a speech in Olathe, Kansas, where he reiterated his resolve to stop the raids into western Missouri that were being conducted by Kansas irregulars, such as the notorious Red Legs. “I … Continue reading

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Ewing versus Anthony – the nature of war on the Kansas-Missouri line

“Leavenworth is for the Union, for the Army, for Universal Freedom.” So crowed the Leavenworth Conservative on April 7th, 1863 after Daniel Anthony (the Conservative’s owner) was elected Mayor. The Conservative may have meant well, but in 1863 support for the Union and support for “Universal Freedom” … Continue reading

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1862, 2012: A Pioneering Emancipator – Order 26 and Historians’ Debate over Emancipation

D.R. Anthony was, to quote my advisor on this project, “an emancipator before The Emancipator” (Lincoln). He was an emancipator who practiced what he preached, and for proof, one need go no further than his letters home of the spoils … Continue reading

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1862: Circle of Life as an Army Officer

D.R. Anthony knew full well when he issued Brigade Order 26 that there could be consequences for his actions. He had directly thumbed his nose at orders from three superior officers and the U.S. Government. Anthony knew that General Mitchell was … Continue reading

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1862: “I have to take the lead”

D.R. Anthony had been on campaign with the 7th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry for nearly eight months. He had led the 7th on a rampage of revenge through Missouri, and now the regiment was headed deeper into Confederate territory in Western … Continue reading

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1861: The German and the Lt. Col.

I have written of Anthony’s cruelty towards his perceived enemies. He could also however be cruel to the apparently innocent.Seventh Cavalry biographer Steven Starr relates a story on pages 103-106 of Jennison’s Jayhawkers in which a German immigrant,barely able to speak English, … Continue reading

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