A Summer of Surprises: 21 New Iowa Confederates

This is my first blog post in three years. When I wrote my last post, I was running out of Iowa-related content. I had an inkling that more Confederates from Iowa were waiting to be found, but I had no time to search.

I devoted this past summer to research. With improved technology and a better strategy, I uncovered many stories and “new” soldiers.

Update on Numbers

My book, Iowa Confederates in the Civil War (published 2019) contained 76 Iowa residents who had left that state and served the Confederacy. Today, there are 97 documented Confederates from Iowa.

This photo of an unidentified Confederate soldier reminds me that the Civil War was very much a political war. (Source: Library of Congress)

Pre-War Residences of Iowa Confederates (greatest numbers)

Lee County: 18 lived in Keokuk (at least part of their time in Iowa)
Scott County: 16 lived in Davenport
Dubuque County: 12 lived in Dubuque
Johnson County: 6 lived in Iowa City
Muscatine County: 6 lived in Muscatine
Des Moines County: 6
Van Buren County: 6

Things to look for

Once a month, I plan to discuss these men, Iowa during wartime, civil liberties, the Underground Railroad, and related topics. There might also be book reviews and author interviews.

Sneak Preview of Upcoming Posts

95-year-old Iowa Confederate poses for a photo
How an Iowa State Senator in Dixie spent the war
Intersection between the Iowa Underground Railroad and two future Iowa Confederates
Iowa public servants who served the Confederacy
Keokuk connection to infamous Andersonville Prison
Prisoner of War experiences of Iowa Confederates
Famous Union war correspondent who rubbed shoulders with a future Iowa Confederate
Keokuk editor who became a Confederate war correspondent
Political rebirth of an insurrectionist
Iowa Attorney who ran for the Confederate Congress

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Thank you for reading my blog. Please leave any comments or questions below.

David Connon

David Connon has spent nearly two decades researching dissenters in Iowa: Grinnell residents who helped on the Underground Railroad, and their polar opposites, Iowa Confederates. He shares some of these stories with audiences across the state through the Humanities Iowa Speakers Bureau. He worked as an interpreter at Living History Farms for eleven seasons. Connon is a member of Sons of Union Veterans, an associate member of Sons of Confederate Veterans, and a member of the Des Moines Civil War Round Table. His articles have appeared in Iowa Heritage Illustrated, Iowa History Journal, Illinois Magazine, and local newspapers in both states.

This Post Has 4 Comments

Michael D. Gibson
10 Nov 2025 Reply

David,
Congratulations on your recent finds of additional Iowa Confederates. Your tireless and meticulous research continues to enrich Iowa history.

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1. David Connon
  10 Nov 2025 Reply
  
  Hi, Mike. Thank you for your very kind words. Best wishes.
  
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Caroline Lehman
10 Nov 2025 Reply

Look forward to your posts. Enjoyed your talk at the Dover Museum!

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1. David Connon
  10 Nov 2025 Reply
  
  Hi, Caroline. Thank you! I appreciated your hospitality (and enjoyed speaking at the Dover Museum).
  
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