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A very short question led to today’s blog post.  A few weeks ago, I spoke at The Civil War Museum in Kenosha, Wisconsin.  Education Manager Doug Dammann had asked me to speak about the main ideas in my book, Iowa Confederates in the Civil War.  I discussed and analyzed the three main motives for Iowans to serve the Confederacy.  The motives were interconnected.

Afterwards, I expected another routine Q & A.  Instead, Doug asked, “How did you determine motives?”  I said I had looked at the data and looked for discernible motives.  I admitted that it wasn’t a very satisfying answer.  Today, I will offer a more thorough answer.

A different path

Other Civil War historians have regarded the questions of motives as very important to understanding the war and the times.  Many historians rely on other scholars’ categories of motivation.  Occasionally, a historian like William Marvel (Lincoln’s Mercenaries:  Economic Motivation Among Union Soldiers During the Civil War) will compel a serious re-thinking of motives.

Early in my research, I had leaned on Abraham Lincoln’s rather elegant list of reasons why men served the Union.  But I later decided to examine the data apart from Lincoln’s ideas.  I also considered the perceptions of a Southern-born historian who I respect.

Context is important

The amount of data (that is, all information) I collected about individual Iowa Confederates ranged from vast to sparse.  I always tried to put it in the context of each man’s life (as well as state, regional, and national events).

My decision-making process

When I had vast information about a soldier, I heavily weighted his direct comments, especially if he made them around the time of enlistment or during the war.  Later statements called for greater scrutiny, especially if the soldier suffered in a POW camp.

Sparse data required longer reflection (and a greater consideration of context).  For each soldier, I asked, Does the data suggest a readily apparent motive for Confederate service?  And if not, is there a discernible and plausible motive?

My list

I asked questions about each Iowa Confederate, based on the data I had.  The following list of 39 questions led to other questions.  Therefore, the list isn’t exhaustive, but it will give you an idea of my approach.

Motive:  Opportunism

My definition:  This motive was often related to earning a living, with little regard for principles or consequences.

(Incidentally, this category echoes that stated by William Marvel in Lincoln’s Mercenaries.)

• When did he move South? If he did so during the Panic of 1857 (that lingered until well into 1861), that suggested that he needed a paycheck.
• What were his family finances like? 1856 and 1860 census records are especially helpful in listing residence, occupations (of father and other family members), and net worth (of personal estate and real estate).  In some cases, correspondence, lawsuits, and/or later biographical sketches were helpful.
• When did he (and perhaps his family) move to Iowa? When did he move South?
• When did he get a job in the South?
• When did he enlist in the CSA?
• Do any of the soldier’s letters (or those of family, friends, or enemies) refer to pre-war time in the South?
• Do any letters to editors and/or editorials mention the soldier’s moving South and/or enlisting in the CSA?
• Did any siblings serve the Union? Did any other relatives or in-laws serve the Union?
• Did he ever enroll or attend West Point or Annapolis? If so, the date and circumstances of leaving either institution – and of moving South – may indicate a strong opportunistic motive.
• What did Southerners say about him before, during, or after the war?
• Does his Compiled Confederate Service Record shed light on why he enlisted? Sometimes these records include letters asking for appointments.
• If he was captured, did he explain why he enlisted?
• If captured, did he ask to take the oath of allegiance to the U.S.?
• Did he desert? Did any Confederate siblings also desert?  If all siblings deserted, and/or if they all deserted at nearly the same time, that is another factor suggesting an opportunistic motive for enlisting.
• If the Iowa Confederate deserted, did he, any family members, or later biographical sketches say anything about this event?
• Does any biographical sketch (e.g., in a county history) say anything about the circumstances and/or motive for enlistment?
• What did he do after his Confederate service?
• Did he ever leave the South?
• Did he visit Iowa after the war? If so, how long did he stay?  Did he remain in Iowa the rest of his life?
• Do any newspapers mention his Confederate service?

Motive:  Familial Concerns

My definition:  This motive was often related to loyalty to one’s birthplace or the birthplace of one’s father or mother, if not specific family expectations.

• Where was he born?
• Where were his parents born?
• When did the family move to Iowa?
• When did the family leave Iowa?
• What were his parents like as people, and what were their political views?
• Were any relatives slave-owners?
• Did the Iowa Confederate ever talk about his “Southern proclivities”?
• Did he ever call himself “a Son of the South”?
• When did he enlist in the CSA? The later he did this (after Ft. Sumter) somewhat suggests familial concerns and more likely a philosophical motive.
• Did any of his relatives enter the Confederate service?
• Did he express a desire to serve with his Southern relatives?
• Did he serve in the same unit as any relatives?
• Did he enlist at the same time as any Southern relatives?
• Did either of his parents say anything during or after the war about his Confederate service? Did they say anything about the Confederate service of his other siblings?

          Motive:  Philosophical 

My definition:  This motive involved state’s rights related to slavery and/or an interpretation of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

• Did he write letters to friends, family members, or editors about his political beliefs? Specifically, did he refer to state’s rights related to slavery and/or the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution?
• Did his political beliefs mirror those of either parent?
• Did any relatives (i.e., parents, aunts and uncles, cousins, or grandparents) own slaves before or during the war?
• Did any friends own slaves?
• Did he own slaves before or during the war?
• What did his parents believe about slavery?

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