Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Buckle, Belt |
Source |
Marion Heritage Center & Museum |
Iowa History Era Tag |
Statehood and the Civil War Era (1847-1868) |
Chronological Tag |
Civil War and Reconstruction (1850-1877) |
Catalog Number |
2018.047.002 |
Credit line |
Marion Heritage Center & Museum - Marion, Iowa |
Description |
During the Civil War, over 76,000 Iowa men, which was about 11% of the state's population, joined the military. Belt buckles like this one were part of the uniforms that these Iowans, and soldiers across the Union, wore. Content can be used with the following standards: SS-US 9-12.23 Iowans Influence US History in a lesson on Iowa's involvement in the Civil War. For any use other than instructional resources, please check with the organization that owns this item regarding copyright restrictions. |
Additional Research & Sources |
During the Civil War, the state of Iowa served in the Union Army with 76,242 Iowan soldiers serving which attributed to 49% of the Iowan male population at the time. While many enlisted, the state had the issue of not having enough ammunition and weapons for each soldier. Governor Samuel Kirkwood advised Greville Dodge to ask Washington officials for help, and was able to recieve weapons (including cannons) while Camp McClellan was established near Davenport, IA as a training site. No major battles took place in the state, however with sharing a border with Missouri (a slave state) meant that raids often found their way into Iowa, in which soldiers fought to defend the border cities from Confederate control. Iowans soldiers also fought in the states of Arkansas, Tennesee, Mississippi and in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia under Union General William Sherman. In addition to fighting, Iowa also assisted the Union by supplying food through farming. Due to the lack of field work since many farmers left to enlist, the work was taken up by the sons and wives of the family. This period of less workers also led to the farming revolution where new technology and farming strategies begin to emerge to make planting and harvesting more efficient in both time and cost. Machines that harvested wheat, hay and grains saved time of what would previously have been done by hand. In total, Iowa had 13,001 casualties (majority to disease rather than injury), 8,500 wounded, 5,000 captured and 152 reported as missing in action at the close of the war. |
Notes on Related Objects |
Object is related to the following library resources, which can be found by searching the catalog number in the advanced search section: Catalog #: 2018.045.027- The Sacred Cause of Union: Iowa in the Civil War 2018.045.045- History of Linn County, Iowa 2018.045.046 Enlistments from Iowa during the Civil War 2018.045.052- Iowa: Its History and Its Foremost Citizens 2018.045.063- Iowa in Times of War 2018.045.072- The Story of Iowa: A Children's History 2018.045.073- Border Defense in Iowa During the Civil War 2018.045.075- One Hundred Topics in Iowa History 2018.045.083- A History of the People of Iowa 2018.045.087- Iowa Through the Years 2018.045.104- History of the Nineteenth Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry 2018.045.138- History of Iowa from the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century |
Primary/Secondary Source |
General primary source |
County Tag |
Linn |
Relation |
Show Related Records... |
Multimedia Links |
Click here to view/hear the file. |
Search Terms |
Civil War War & Conflict The Military in Iowa Military uniforms Belt Buckles |
Legal Status |
Ownership of this resource is held by the Marion Heritage Center & Museum and has been provided here for educational purposes only, specifically for use in the Iowa Museum Association's "Teaching Iowa History" project. It may not be downloaded, reproduced or distributed in any format without written permission from the Rights Holder. For information on U.S. and International copyright laws, consult an attorney. |
