Lithographic Portrait of Major General E.W. Rice at the time of the American Civil War, 1861 <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Major+General">Major General</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=E.W.+Rice">E.W. Rice</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Civil+War">Civil War</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Officer">Officer</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oskaloosa">Oskaloosa</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Mahaska+County">Mahaska County</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Iowa">Iowa</a> Elliott Warren Rice was born on November 16, 1835, in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania. The younger brother of General Samuel Allen Rice, who was mortally wounded at the Battle of Jenkin's Ferry in April, 1864, E.W. Rice served in the conflict during its entirety, being promoted to Major General on March 13, 1865. After the war, Rice went on to practice law until his death on June 22, 1887, in Sioux City, Iowa. Manoah Hedge Mahaska County Collection The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, IL "2010-01-22" www.wmpenn.edu/library/library/about.html image/jpeg still image Wilcox Library http://cdm16125.contentdm.oclc.org/u?/p270701coll6,301 Colonel James F. McNeill; Lincoln Guard of Honor Member; 1906 <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Colonel">Colonel</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=James+F.+McNeill">James F. McNeill</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Lincoln">Lincoln</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Guard+of+Honor">Guard of Honor</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Civil+War">Civil War</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Grave+Robbery">Grave Robbery</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Trust">Trust</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Early+20th+Century">Early 20th Century</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Mid+19th+Century">Mid 19th Century</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=President+Abraham+Lincoln">President Abraham Lincoln</a> This is a photgraph taken of Colonel James F. McNeill of Oskaloosa, Iowa, in 1906. Colonel McNeill served on an elite team of men that was put to the task of guarding the body/tomb of President Abraham Lincoln after an attempt of stealing his remains took place on November 7, 1876 at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois. The Lincoln Guard of Honor, as the group called themselves, formed on February 12, 1880, conducted secret ceremonies and honored the secret location of where Lincoln was buried following the failed grave robbery of the 16th President. This group performed these duties until 1901, when the final tomb was completed for Lincoln's remains. Manoah Hedge Mahaska County Collection The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, IL "2010-01-22" www.wmpenn.edu image/jpeg still image Wilcox Library http://cdm16125.contentdm.oclc.org/u?/p270701coll6,300 Civil War Union Non-Commissioned Officer Posing before the Camera, Circa 1861 <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Civil+War">Civil War</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Soldier">Soldier</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Non-Commissioned+Officer">Non-Commissioned Officer</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Pose">Pose</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Camera">Camera</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=19th+Century">19th Century</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Uniform">Uniform</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Sword">Sword</a> In this photograph poses an unknown non-commissioned Union soldier from Mahaska County, Iowa. Taken around 1861, the Civil War was the first American War in which much of the conflict was documented through photography. Officers and non-commissioned officers were issued swords to illustrate their rank and importance to the rest of the platoons, divisions, and regiments making up the Union Army. Photographs like these were usually taken before the soldier went off to battle and given to the soldier's loved ones so that they had something to cherish the soldier by. Chuck Russell Chuck Russell Chuck Russell "2009-08-11" www.wmpenn.edu/library/about.html still image/jpeg 2000 image www.wmpenn.edu/library/about.html http://cdm16125.contentdm.oclc.org/u?/p270701coll6,289 Grand Army of the Republic Building, Oskaloosa, Iowa, 1885-1890 <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Grand+Army+of+the+Republic">Grand Army of the Republic</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Civil+War">Civil War</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=GAR">GAR</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oskaloosa">Oskaloosa</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Iowa">Iowa</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Mahaska+County">Mahaska County</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=33rd+Iowa+Regiment">33rd Iowa Regiment</a> This is a picture taken of the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) building, which served as a meeting site for veterans of the Civil War from 1885 until 1890. Veterans that served under the 33rd Iowa Regiment would most likely have utilized this building the most, because many veterans from the 33rd were residents of Mahaska County at the onset of the Civil War and went on to serve for the Union. Chuck Russell Chuck Russell Chuck Russell "2009-06-23" www.wmpenn.edu/library/about.html still image/jpeg 2000 image www.wmpenn.edu/library/about.html http://cdm16125.contentdm.oclc.org/u?/p270701coll6,251 Labor Day Celebration Announcement in Oskaloosa, Iowa, September 6-8, 1909 <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Labor+Day">Labor Day</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Announcement">Announcement</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oskaloosa+Herald">Oskaloosa Herald</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Reunion">Reunion</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Homecoming">Homecoming</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Iowa+33rd+Regiment">Iowa 33rd Regiment</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Civil+War">Civil War</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Chief+Mahaska+Statue">Chief Mahaska Statue</a> This image depicts an advertisement for the upcoming Labor Day celebration festivities from September 6-8, 1909. The advertisement also expresses an interest in getting all veterans of the Civil War from the Iowa 33rd Regiment to participate in the homecoming celebration. At this point, Labor Day and Homecoming were celebrated at the same time in Oskaloosa, Iowa. At the left of the image is a picture of the statue commemorating Chief Mahaska, for whom the county was named after. Chuck Russell Chuck Russell Chuck Russell "2009-06-23" www.wmpenn.edu/library/about.html still image/jpeg 2000 image www.wmpenn.edu/library/about.html http://cdm16125.contentdm.oclc.org/u?/p270701coll6,250 Town Square War Memorial, Oskaloosa, Iowa, 1920 <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=War+Memorial">War Memorial</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Town+Square">Town Square</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oskaloosa">Oskaloosa</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Iowa">Iowa</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Mahaska+County">Mahaska County</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Civil+War">Civil War</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Spanish-American+War">Spanish-American War</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Word+War+I">Word War I</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Woman%27s+Relief+Corps.">Woman's Relief Corps.</a> Pictured here is a war memorial that was dedicated to the men and woman who bravely served the United States military during the American Civil War (1861-1865), Spanish-American War (1898), and World War I (1917-1918). The Woman's Relief Corps. was responsible for raising the funds necessary to dedicate the memorial. Erected in 1920, the war memorial proudly stands in the center of the Oskaloosa town square to this day. Chuck Russell Chuck Russell Chuck Russell "2009-06-23" www.wmpenn.edu/library/about.html still image/jpeg 2000 image www.wmpenn.edu/library/about.html http://cdm16125.contentdm.oclc.org/u?/p270701coll6,248 Brigadier General Samuel Allen Rice; Civil War Hero <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Civil+War">Civil War</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Battle+of+Jenkin%27s+Ferry">Battle of Jenkin's Ferry</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Officers">Officers</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Casualties">Casualties</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oskaloosa%2C+Iowa">Oskaloosa, Iowa</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Mahaska+County">Mahaska County</a> Samuel Allen Rice was the highest ranking officer in all of Iowa to be lost during the Civil War; being a Brigadier General at the time of his death. Rice was born in southern New York in 1828 and studied to become a lawyer. After graduating from law school and passing the bar exam, he practiced law in Fairfield, Iowa and then Oskaloosa, Iowa. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, Rice was commissioned by Governor Kirkwood as Colonel of the 33rd Iowa Regiment on August 10, 1862. Rice was promoted to Brigadier General after being recognized for saving the day in the Battle of Helena on July 4, 1863; the same day that the Union was victorious in Vicksburg and Gettysburg. Pushing deep into the South, General Rice was mortally wounded at the Battle of Jenkin's Ferry, Arkansas, on April 30, 1864, after being struck by a Confederate bullet in the foot. Rice was brought back to his hometown of Oskaloosa in the days that ensued, eventually passing away from his wounds on July 6, 1864. Rice was 36 years old. He is buried at Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Mahaska County Historical Society Historical Archives Mahaska County Historical Society 2008-07-23 www.nelsonpioneer.org still image/jpeg image Mahaska County Historical Society http://cdm16125.contentdm.oclc.org/u?/p270701coll6,138 Brigadier General Samuel Allen Rice (b. 1828 d. 1864); Civil War Hero <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Civil+War">Civil War</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Battle+of+Jenkin%27s+Ferry">Battle of Jenkin's Ferry</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Officers">Officers</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Casualties">Casualties</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oskaloosa%2C+Iowa">Oskaloosa, Iowa</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Mahaska+County">Mahaska County</a> Samuel Allen Rice was the highest ranking officer in all of Iowa to be lost during the Civil War; being a Brigadier General at the time of his death. Rice was born in southern New York in 1828 and studied to become a lawyer. After graduating from law school and passing the bar exam, he practiced law in Fairfield, Iowa and then Oskaloosa, Iowa. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, Rice was commissioned by Governor Kirkwood as Colonel of the 33rd Iowa Regiment on August 10, 1862. Rice was promoted to Brigadier General after being recognized for saving the day in the Battle of Helena on July 4, 1863; the same day that the Union was victorious in Vicksburg and Gettysburg. Pushing deep into the South, General Rice was mortally wounded at the Battle of Jenkin's Ferry, Arkansas, on April 30, 1864, after being struck by a Confederate bullet in the foot. Rice was brought back to his hometown of Oskaloosa in the days that ensued, eventually passing away from his wounds on July 6, 1864. Rice was 36 years old. He is buried at Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa, Iowa. This is a lithographic portrait of Rice taken at the outset of the Civil War. Union Historical Company, Librarian of Congress Mahaska County Collection Mills and Company: Des Moines, IA 2008-07-23 www.nelsonpioneer.org still image/jpeg image Wilcox Library http://cdm16125.contentdm.oclc.org/u?/p270701coll6,137 Brigadier General Samuel Allen Rice (b. 1828 d. 1864); Civil War Hero <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Civil+War">Civil War</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Battle+of+Jenkins+Ferry">Battle of Jenkins Ferry</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Officers">Officers</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Casualties">Casualties</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oskaloosa%2C+Iowa">Oskaloosa, Iowa</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Mahaska+County">Mahaska County</a> Samuel Allen Rice was the highest ranking officer in all of Iowa to be lost during the Civil War; being a Brigadier General at the time of his death. Rice was born in southern New York in 1828 and studied to become a lawyer. After graduating from law school and passing the bar exam, he practiced law in Fairfield, Iowa and then Oskaloosa, Iowa. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, Rice was commissioned by Governor Kirkwood as Colonel of the 33rd Iowa Regiment on August 10, 1862. Rice was promoted to Brigadier General after being recognized for saving the day in the Battle of Helena on July 4, 1863; the same day that the Union was victorious in Vicksburg and Gettysburg. Pushing deep into the South, General Rice was mortally wounded at the Battle of Jenkins Ferry, Arkansas, on April 30, 1864 after being struck by a Confederate bullet in the foot. Rice was brought back to his hometown of Oskaloosa in the days that ensued, eventually passing away from his wounds on July 6, 1864. Rice was 36 years old. He is buried at Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Mahaska County Historical Society Mahaska County Collection Mahaska County Historical Society 2008-07-21 www.nelsonpioneer.org still image/jpeg image Wilcox Library http://cdm16125.contentdm.oclc.org/u?/p270701coll6,136 Post Office during the Civil War, 1861-1864; Oskaloosa, IA; Mahaska County <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Civil+War">Civil War</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Post+Office">Post Office</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oskaloosa%2C+Iowa">Oskaloosa, Iowa</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Mahaska+County">Mahaska County</a> This is a photo taken during the Civil War outside of the post office in Oskaloosa, Iowa. As one could imagine, mail was of the utmost important during the conflict, as soldiers depended on letters and packages from loved ones, and family members looked forward to getting letters from soldiers too. The long coats the men are wearing in this photo are called dusters, which helped catch dirt before ruining the clothes that men wore. Phil Hoffmann Mahaska County Collection The Torch Press: Cedar Rapids, Iowa 2008-07-21 www.wmpenn.edu/library/library/about.html still image/jpeg image Wilcox Library http://cdm16125.contentdm.oclc.org/u?/p270701coll6,135