With funding from Humanities Iowa, Blakesburg Historical Preservation Society is sponsoring “Just Before the Battle Mother–A Visit from a Civil War Soldier”  at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 16th at the Blakesburg Elementary School Cafeteria. Presenter O.J. Fargo will dress in full Union Army regalia and presents in first person an individual Iowa soldier’s Civil War experiences. Anyone interested in Iowa’s Civil War involvement will enjoy the interactive program by Fargo, who stays in character as he talks about his war experiences.

Following Fargo will be brief presentation by BHPS on one of Blakesburg’s Civil War soldiers, Captain Samuel A. Swiggett. Married to the daughter of one of Blakesburg’s co-founders, Swiggett enlisted in 1862, was a member of the 36th Iowa, and was captured during the 1864 Battle of Marks’ Mills. In 1895 Swiggett, using the personal experiences of his time spent in prison camp as his story’s essence, published a book entitled “The Bright Side of Prison Life”.

Civil War artifacts, including Swiggett’s family photo album, will be on display.

The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.