Iowans who sympathized with the Confederacy during the Civil War and their experiences are the subject of a free public lecture from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, in the Senate Chamber of the University of Iowa Old Capitol Museum.

David Connon, a historical interpreter at Living History Farms in Des Moines, will talk about the motivations of five Iowans who served in the Confederate Army. His talk is offered in conjunction with the current Civil War exhibit, “Gone to See the Elephant: The Civil War through the Eyes of Iowa Soldiers.”

Most Iowans think that the state was solidly pro-Union during the Civil War. After all, some 75,000 residents fought for the North. In reality, many Iowa Democrats formed a spectrum of dissent. The majority of Democrats opposed abolishing slavery yet favored the Union war effort. A minority sympathized with the Confederacy. Of this group, at least 50 Iowa residents served the Confederacy. Connon will explore their motivations and describe their prewar, wartime, and post-war experiences. He will also explore why their stories have been largely unknown for the past 150 years.

Connon will be speaking about five men, all from Dubuque County, who left Iowa and served the Confederacy, including four who were sons of men who had served in Iowa politics:

• James H. Williams was an Iowa state representative before he “went South.”
• Junius L. Hempstead was the son of Iowa’s second governor, Stephen Hempstead, who had served in the Old Iowa Capitol Building.
• George R.G. Jones was the son of one of Iowa’s first U.S. senators, George Wallace Jones.
• Warner Lewis was the son of an Iowa state representative who had served in the Old Iowa Capitol Building.
• Andrew J. Quigley was the son of a representative of Dubuque County in the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature.

Connon has a master’s degree in education from Northern Illinois University. His wife is an Iowa native whose great-great-great-grandfather died on Sherman’s March to the Sea.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa-sponsored events. If you are a person who requires an accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact the Old Capitol Museum in advance at 319-335-0548.

For more information about Connon’s talk, the Old Capitol Museum and the exhibit, visit www.uiowa.edu/oldcap.