Local author David Connon was researching the underground railroad in Iowa when he came upon the histories of a startling number of Iowa men who fought for the confederacy in the Civil War. Why? What happened to them when the war was over? He visits with Jeff.
Background: David's book is called Iowa Confederates in the Civil War, with a foreword by John Liepa (emeritus professor of history at Des Moines Area Community College). The heart of the book consists of historical sketches of all 76 men, featuring their pre-war, war-time, and post-war experiences. Readers will gain insights into the heightened emotions and political pressures of wartime Iowa. For example, one of four Iowa Confederates had a divided family, that is, at least one brother or a father served in the Union Army. Some fathers of Iowa Confederates were prominent Democrats, and three of the fathers were friends of Jefferson Davis.
Click to listen!