For more than 90 minutes on a recent Tuesday evening, the quiet atmosphere of the Marshalltown Public Library was replaced by the grit and hardship of the 1860s. O.J. Fargo, a dedicated historian and reenactor from Creston, Iowa, stepped into the role of Thomas Goodfellow to provide a visceral look at the life of a Union soldier during the American Civil War.
Dressed in a period-accurate Union military uniform with “Goodfellow” etched onto his canteen, Fargo presented his program, “After the Battle Mother.” The event, co-sponsored by Humanities Iowa and the Historical Society of Marshall County, aimed to bridge the gap between textbook dates and the lived reality of the men who fought in the conflict.
Fargo’s portrayal was a deliberate choice in storytelling. While the historical Thomas Goodfellow served as a chaplain—a role that allowed officers and chaplains the flexibility to resign—Fargo presented him as a common soldier. This shift was intended to ensure the audience fully grasped the physical and mental toll of four years of continuous military service.
The presentation focused on the 4th Iowa Infantry, a regiment active from 1861 to 1865. Through first-person narrative and a display of authentic memorabilia, Fargo illustrated how the regiment’s journey mirrored the broader Union effort to preserve the nation.
The Hardships of the Infantry
The life of a Union soldier was defined less by grand strategy and more by the relentless struggle against environment and equipment. Fargo detailed a world where soldiers were paid approximately $16 per month and faced systemic logistical failures.
One of the most poignant details shared was the state of military footwear. The Army provided shoes in a single size, without distinction between left and right feet. To combat the resulting blisters and foot maladies, soldiers were forced to wear multiple pairs of socks. These shoes were fitted with heel plates, a necessary modification to prolong the life of the leather during extensive marches across the South.
Dietary staples were equally bleak. Soldiers relied heavily on beans and “hardtack”—a dense, long-lasting cracker made from water, flour, and salt. These meager rations sustained them as they slept in tents and carried their entire lives in bedrolls and mess kits.
Campaigns and Combat
The 4th Iowa Infantry saw action across a vast geography, traveling through Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Georgia. Their service record included pivotal engagements that shifted the tide of the war.
Fargo highlighted the regiment’s participation in the Battle of Pea Ridge in Arkansas and the Battle of Lookout Mountain in Tennessee. The regiment also marched under the command of General William Tecumseh Sherman during his destructive campaign through Georgia, a strategy designed to break the Confederacy’s economic and psychological will.
The weaponry of the era was as reliable as it was lethal. Both Union and Confederate forces utilized the Pattern 1853 Enfield rifle-musket, manufactured in England. As the war progressed, Union troops increasingly transitioned to Springfield rifles produced in Massachusetts.
The combination of these weapons, along with artillery and poor sanitation, led to a staggering loss of life. While historical estimates vary, many historians now believe the total casualty count for both sides reached approximately 750,000 deaths. Beyond the battlefield, diseases such as typhoid fever, dysentery, and diarrhea claimed a significant portion of the troops due to the unsanitary conditions of military camps.
Marshall County’s Local Legacy
The event also served to connect national history to local soil. Archives from the Historical Society of Marshall County reveal that local men played significant roles in the Union victory. One such figure was Nicholas Messenger, a member of the 22nd Iowa Volunteer Infantry.
Messenger distinguished himself at the Battle of Vicksburg, a strategic turning point that split the Confederacy in half by giving the Union control of the Mississippi River. Though Messenger survived the war, he carried the physical wounds of Vicksburg for the rest of his life. He later served his community as the Marshall County Recorder.
The influence of the war remains visible in the geography of rural Marshall County. Several roads—including Ingram, Jessup, and Sanford avenues—were named for local men who served. Among them, Jessup was killed in action, while Sanford served as an officer.
Iowa’s contribution to the war effort was proportionally one of the highest in the nation. Historical archives indicate that Iowa had the highest number of residents per capita join the Union Army of any state.
Preserving the Narrative
The presentation concluded with a hands-on experience for the approximately 35 attendees. Organized by Elaine Fargo, the exhibition featured battle flags, belt buckles, cartridges, and period publications. Many attendees were given the opportunity to hold a vintage Enfield rifle, providing a tangible connection to the weight and feel of the soldier’s primary tool.
Michelle Roseburrough, president of the Historical Society of Marshall County, praised the depth of the presentation, noting that Fargo’s knowledge of the specific Iowa regiments brought an impressive level of detail to the event.
Fargo continues to conduct these presentations annually as a member of the Army of the Southwest Reenactors, ensuring that the granular details of the soldier’s experience are not lost to time.
For those seeking more information on local Civil War history, the Historical Society of Marshall County maintains extensive records, including the 1878 History of Marshall County, which lists servicemen by regiment.
We invite readers to share their own family histories or local veterans’ stories in the comments below.
