The Ottumwa Public Library’s Reminisce Society, in conjunction with Humanities Iowa, is proud to host Civil War historian O.J. Fargo for a program on Tuesday, March 26th, at 10:00 a.m. in the library’s meeting room.
Fargo’s presentation is entitled Just Before the Battle, Mother. He will appear in the persona of a Civil War soldier, and, after a brief overview of Iowa's involvement in the Civil War, the audience will be encouraged to ask questions and engage in a dialogue with the "soldier," who will stay in character while answering. Fargo dresses in full Union Army regalia for the presentation and focuses on an individual soldier's experience. He will also bring along a full roster of all men who served in and from Iowa in the Civil War, so that audience members may check for ancestors who served.
Fargo has recently retired as the Director of Media Services and a Social Studies consultant for the Green Valley Area Education Agency in Creston. He is the author of two books on Iowa history, a book on the everyday life of a Civil War soldier, and 27 booklets on all aspects of Iowa and Western US history. In addition to this writing and work, he is also president of an Iowa regiment of Civil War Re-enactors.
The library has received funding from Humanities Iowa to host this presentation. As always, Reminisce programs are free and open to the public. For further information, please call the library’s Reference Desk at 641-682-7563, ext. 205.